Swedish Covenant Hospital offers advanced diagnostic tools in detecting osteoporosis, a condition that mostly affects women and is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually.
"Early detection using bone density measurement is the best way to protect yourself from the potentially debilitating effects of osteoporosis," says Bruce Silver, MD, chair of radiology at Swedish Covenant Hospital, located on Chicago's North Side.
"This simple test can help your primary care physician determine if you need to take certain steps to protect your bones."
The bone density test is accurate, safe, quick, non-invasive and comfortable. The test takes 15 to 20 minutes and measures the bone density of the patient's hip and spine by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Radiation levels are very low - much lower than a standard chest X-ray. Test results are sent on to the patient's primary care physician, who then consults with the patient to discuss the outcome.
For more information about services available at Swedish Covenant Hospital, call 773-989-3814.
