The Silent Disease...
Osteoporosis is a serious disease in which bones become so weak they can break from a minor bump or fall. Because osteoporosis is a "silent" disease with minimal warning signs or symptoms, you may not even know if you have osteoporosis until you actually break a bone. Many women may have osteopenia, a condition of low bone mass which if left untreated, can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the most common human bone disease! The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has become a major concern in women's health care. Approximately 22 million American women over age 50 have osteopenia and 8 million have actual osteoporosis. Every minute approximately 2 new fractures due to osteoporosis occur in women in the US!

Bone density testing is the only method available for accurately determining the status of your bone health and predicting you risk for future fractures!

The following have been identified as risk factors:

•  Menopause

•  Family history of Osteoporosis.

•  Caucasian or Asian.

•  Small, thin frame.

•  Lost height.

•  Advanced age.

•  Smoking.

•  Excessive alcohol consumption.

•  Low calcium intake and/or decreased Vitamin D     levels.

•  Advanced age/poor health.

•  Kidney disease.

•  Chemotherapy.

•  Long term corticosteroid use.

At The Healthy Woman® we have been proactive in screening, preventing and treating osteoporosis for over 15 years. We use a state-of-the-art bone density screening machine called a bone densitometer manufactured by GE LUNAR. The resulting test, called a "DEXA", is truly the "gold standard" for osteoporosis screening. We are fortunate to have Benedict Hyun ("Ben") as our licensed radiology technician and registered bone densitomitrist. He worked with the development and testing of the GE machines and has degrees in both math and physics. While we are confident that the scans are precise and accurate, all the scans of our patients are subsequently reviewed personally by Dr. Friedman. The DEXA test is simple, non invasive, and performed while you remain fully dressed and usually takes only 20 minutes.

We are dedicated to maximizing the life expectancy and energy of each woman. We invite you to call us if you have any questions or would like to set up a bone scan. We will be happy to help you with any insurance questions or prior authorizations. Medicare patients that are not enrolled in an HMO do not require any prior authorization in order to have a scan done.