Latest news with #DXA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New bone density scanner comes to hospital
A new state-of-the-art bone density scanner is now in use at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner, which cost £90,660, is a quick and painless way to check bone health. It measures the strength and condition of someone's bones and screens patients for osteoporosis and other bone-weakening conditions. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis can prevent life-changing fractures, which can otherwise follow everyday occurrences like a cough or a fall from standing height. Half of women over 50 will suffer fractures due to osteoporosis, and a fifth of men, and fractures are the fourth greatest cause of disability in the UK, as well as the second greatest filler of hospital beds. The arrival of the scanner means that many QVH patients can receive their bone density assessment closer to home rather than need to go to elsewhere in Sussex, like Eastbourne, or Lewes, for example, which they have had to do previously, and for other patients it means they can have their treatment at the hospital of their choice. Patient Jane Stewart-Parry fits that bill and she cut the ribbon on the scanner when it arrived at QVH, just moments before she became the first person to use it. Jane, 64, who is from Battle, in East Sussex, said: "Once I knew that the scanner was coming here and that I could be referred here, I wanted to come. "It is amazing, and I am so proud that I am the first patient to be scanned. "My family are really excited too. "My mother died from an undiagnosed osteoporosis condition so it is great that I can come here, to the hospital of my choice, and see where I am at. "I want to make sure I get the right treatment, to make sure I can be monitored as we go along. "It brings peace of mind and awareness too, for my two children, especially my daughter, who is 29. "Cutting the ribbon was fantastic – I shall dine out on that for a while, don't you worry." Sarah Solanki, clinical director core, clinical and community services, said: "It is a great addition for us and our patients. "The machine can examine the bone density of people with suspected, or at risk of having, osteoporosis and in addition how we can monitor patients at risk. "Monitoring at risk patients assists with the ability to reduce their risk of fractures in the future by lifestyle changes and clinical support from specialists." Edmund Tabay, chief nursing officer, added: "The introduction of this scanner is part of our overall community diagnostic programme, and will help patients in our local area and across Sussex, have this treatment. "There is a national shortage of DXA scanners, so we are delighted to include one in our quality offer to patients."
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Here's what to expect before getting a bone density scan, experts say
Here's what to expect before getting a bone density scan, experts say If you're heading to your first DEXA scan, here's what experts need you to know. Show Caption Hide Caption Why you should add more vitamin D to your diet Vitamin D can improve your immune function, bone health and even mental health. Here's how to add more to your diet. If you're someone who's at risk for developing osteoporosis, you're probably well-accustomed to receiving regular bone density tests. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) is a radiologic study that evaluates bone density, says Dr. Jian Q. 'Michael' Yu, the chief of nuclear medicine and PET at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Pennsylvania. If you're heading to the radiologist for your first DEXA scan, here's what experts need you to know. What is a bone density test? DEXA scans are the gold standard test for assessing a patient's bone mineral density (BMD), says Dr. Yoram Baum, a board-certified physician in nuclear medicine and assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. A number of doctors may recommend a patient take a bone density test—from primary care providers to endocrinologists to oncologists—to assess your risk of low bone density, says Yu. Bone density tests play a crucial role in identifying osteopenia (bone density loss) and osteoporosis (severe bone density loss), says Baum. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become incredibly brittle. The condition affects more than 10 million people over the age of 50, and postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable. Osteoporosis doesn't usually present symptoms until a serious fracture occurs, which is why physicians often call it a 'silent disease.' The more you know: Why strength training makes all the difference in treating (and preventing) osteoporosis How is a bone density test done? Bone density tests are fairly quick. It is a painless, noninvasive exam that usually takes around 10 minutes, Baum says. As you lay down, the X-ray machine will take images of the hips and lumbar spine, bones which are particularly vulnerable to osteoporotic fractures. In the case that you've had a hip replacement (resulting in the partial or total replacement of the hip joint with artificial materials), providers may also scan the forearm, says Baum. Some people may be concerned about radiation exposure, but Baum and Yu assure this is very minimal. The DEXA scan produces very low levels of radiation, with energy levels similar to the routine X-rays you'd receive at the dentist, says Baum. Noted: Consider these 4 doctor-approved tips to help maintain strong, healthy bones How to prepare for a bone density test To prepare for a bone density test, patients should stop taking calcium supplements at least 24 hours before the exam for the most accurate results, says Baum. Wear comfortable, loose clothing without belts, zippers or buttons. You'll also need to remove all jewelry, per WebMD. Ultimately, it's important to have conversations about bone health with your healthcare provider, and receive regular bone density scans if you're someone who's at risk for osteoporosis. 'That way you can start your prevention or treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia as early as possible,' says Baum. To maintain healthy bones, establish a regular exercise routine that includes weight training, and incorporate foods rich in vitamin D and calcium into your diet. If you're someone who has osteopenia or osteoporosis, these lifestyle changes are critical, although ideally, starting these habits earlier in life can help reduce your risk of bone density loss. 'It's easier to maintain the bone density rather than increase it,' says Baum. In cases of severe bone density loss, certain medications can become part of an osteoporosis treatment plan.
Iraqi News
19-04-2025
- Health
- Iraqi News
Research identifies new cut-off points for overweight and obesity in male athletes
INA-sources New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11–14 May) shows that the internationally recognized body mass index (BMI) cut-off points greatly overestimate overweight and obesity in male athletes. The study, from Italy, also proposes new cut-off points for overweight and obesity in this group. The study has been published in the journal Nutrients. Body mass index (BMI) is a key method for measuring people's weight status, defining whether they have normal weight, overweight or obesity. It is easily calculated by dividing an individual's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. A BMI of 25 kg/m 2 or above is an indicator of overweight and a BMI of 30 kg/m 2 or above indicates obesity in white men and women of all ages, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) categorization system. However, some research has found that this classification system may not be good at identifying overweight and obesity in athletes and its use in this group has long been subject to criticism. "BMI doesn't distinguish between body fat and lean mass, which includes muscle," explains Professor Marwan El Ghoch, of the Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. "As a result, a muscular athlete with low body fat can be wrongly classified as living with overweight or obesity. Despite this, many sports organizations still rely on the traditional BMI classification system." In a new study, Professor El Ghoch and researchers from the University of Verona in Italy and Beirut University in Lebanon set out to determine how accurate the BMI cut-offs of 25 and 30 kg/m 2 are at identifying overweight and obesity in male athletes and, if they were found to be inaccurate, to establish better cut-offs. The cross-sectional study involved 622 males (average age of 25.7 years, BMI ≥ 20 kg/m 2) who had been referred to the Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, of the University of Verona, Italy, and participated in sports including soccer, rugby, basketball, volleyball, cross-fit, karate and others at a competitive level. The participants were categorized using the current BMI system and by their body fat percentage (BF%). Using the current BMI system, more than a quarter of the individuals were categorized as living with overweight or obesity. Some 451 (72.5%) individuals were of normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.99 kg/m 2), 148 (23.8%) individuals were with overweight (25 kg/m 2 –29.9 kg/m 2) and 23 (3.7%) were with obesity (30 kg/m 2 and above). Total body fat percentage (BF%) was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans—known to be a highly accurate tool for measuring body composition—according to age- and gender-specific cut-off points. A BF% of 21% or above was classified as overweight and a BF% of 26% or above was classified as obesity. Using this system, fewer than 4% of the individuals were categorized as living with overweight or obesity. Some 598 (96.1%) individuals were of normal weight, 19 (3.1%) were with overweight and five (0.8%) were with obesity. Professor El Ghoch, who led the study, says, "This demonstrates that the current BMI cut-off points are clearly flawed in determining weight status in athletes, as many of the athletes were misclassified as living with overweight or obesity, where, in reality, very few had body fat levels in this range." The researchers went on to use statistical modeling to identify more accurate BMI cut-off points for young male athletes. The new cut-offs, which take into account athletes' lower BF%, are 28.2 kg/m 2 for overweight and 33.7 kg/m 2 for obesity. Study co-author, Professor Chiara Milanese, of the University of Verona, explains, "Although DXA scans measure body composition accurately, they are not always available in sports settings. In contrast, weight and height, the two measures needed to calculate BMI, are easy to obtain and, with the new BMI cut-offs that we identified, BMI could be a highly useful tool in sports clubs, both at training grounds and in competitions. "A direct assessment of body composition remains the gold standard but, in its absence, we encourage sports organizations and committees to adopt the new BMI classification system." The authors add that several further pieces of research are needed. These include identifying new cut-offs for female athletes and, potentially, specific cut-offs for different sports, particularly those that were not included in the current study.
Telegraph
18-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Why athletes need higher BMI thresholds
Athletes should be set far higher BMI thresholds to allow for their extra muscle, experts have concluded. Research found that standard measurements exaggerate whether those of a sporty disposition are overweight. The study of more than 600 young male athletes – all of whom took part in competitive sports – classed more than one quarter as obese or overweight, judged by their body mass index (BMI). When scientists used scans, which measure body composition, it was found that fewer than 4 per cent fell into this category. The study, led by Italian researchers, then used statistical modelling to create more accurate BMI cut-off points for those with athletic habits. Among athletes, the threshold for overweight raised from a BMI of 25 kg/m2 to 28.2 kg/m2, while for obesity it shifted from 30 kg/m2 to 33.7 kg/m2. Researchers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia said the best way to measure body composition was to use a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. But in the absence of this, athletes should be classed on higher BMI thresholds, they said. 'Wrongly classified' The research, to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, follows a long debate about the use of BMI to spot excess fat in those with high levels of muscle. Professor Marwan El Ghoch, of the university's department of biomedical, metabolic and neural sciences, said: 'BMI doesn't distinguish between body fat and lean mass, which includes muscle. 'As a result, a muscular athlete with low body fat can be wrongly classified as being in the overweight or obese range. Despite this, many sports organisations still rely on the traditional BMI classification system.' The cross-sectional study involved 622 males, whose average age was 25.7 years, and who took part in sports including football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, cycling, cross-fit, karate and triathlon at a competitive level. The participants were categorised using the current BMI system and by their body fat percentage. Using the current BMI system, more than a quarter of the individuals were categorised as overweight or obese. While 72.5 per cent of cases were of normal weight, 23.8 per cent were overweight and 3.7 per cent were obese. 'Cut-off points are clearly flawed' Total body fat percentage was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans – known to be a highly accurate tool for measuring body composition – according to age- and gender-specific cut-off points. Body fat of 21 per cent or above was classified as overweight and body fat of 26 per cent or above was classified as obesity. Using this system, 96.1 per cent of individuals were classed as of normal weight, 3.1 per cent were deemed overweight and just 0.8 per cent were classed as obese. The findings were published in the journal Nutrients. Professor El Ghoch, who led the study, says: 'This demonstrates that the current BMI cut-off points are clearly flawed in determining weight status in athletes, as many of the athletes were misclassified as living with overweight or obesity, where in reality, very few had body fat levels in this range.' Study co-author, Professor Chiara Milanese, of the University of Verona, said: 'Although DXA scans measure body composition accurately, they are not always available in sports settings. In contrast, weight and height, the two measures needed to calculate BMI, are easy to obtain and, with the new BMI cut-offs that we identified, BMI could be a highly useful tool in sports clubs, both at training grounds and in competitions. 'A direct assessment of body composition remains the gold standard but, in its absence, we encourage sports organisations and committees to adopt the new BMI classification system.' Researchers said more studies were needed to identify new cut-offs for female athletes and, potentially, specific cut-offs for different sports, particularly those that were not included in the current study. Body mass index (BMI) is a method used for measuring people's weight status, defining whether they are normal weight, overweight or obese. It is easily calculated by dividing an individual's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. A BMI of 25 kg/m2 or above is an indicator of overweight and a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above indicates obesity in white men and women of all ages, according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) categorisation system. However, several experts have said that waistlines are a better marker of health risks. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that people should check their waistline and keep it to less than half their height, to stay in good health. It follows warnings that abdominal fat carries specific health risks, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX's Fram2 mission captures 1st human X-ray in Earth orbit
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In 1895, when German physics professor Wihelm Röntgen was experimenting with cathode rays, he accidentally discovered what we know today as X-rays. Realizing the technology could benefit the medical field, Röntgen took the first ever X-ray image of the human body. It was an image of his wife's hand wearing a ring. About 130 years later, the crew of SpaceX's private Fram2 mission has recreated that X-ray portrait — except in space. The Fram2 mission launched on March 31, carrying a quartet of passengers who would soon complete the first human spaceflight in polar orbit. The launch was funded by Maltese cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, who enlisted three polar expedition colleagues to join him on the novel mission. During the three-and-a-half-day spaceflight, the crew performed a total of 22 research experiments, which included observation of Earth's poles, growing mushrooms — and indeed taking the first X-ray images of a human while in orbit. Following the successful hand X-ray, the Fram2 crew continued this technology demonstration with a series of other diagnostic images that included the forearm, pelvis, abdomen and chest; the astronauts also imaged electronics to test the use of the X-ray as a hardware diagnostics tool. The crew further demonstrated a DXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. Related Stories: — SpaceX Fram2 1st polar astronaut mission: Live updates — SpaceX launches private Fram2 astronauts on historic spaceflight over Earth's poles — Meet the astronauts of SpaceX's Fram2 mission, the 1st to fly over Earth's poles Fram2's Crew Dragon Resilience splashed down on Friday (April 4), parachuting toward the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oceanside, California. The crewmembers were recovered aboard SpaceX's Dragon recovery vessel Shannon. They recently arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to complete a number of post-flight experiments and collect post-flight biometric data while recovering from the microgravity environment.
