Bone Density
Osteopenia and osteoporosis, diseases that reduce bone density and cause brittle bones, affect more than half of all women over 50 in America. For women in this age group, we highly recommend bone density testing. The earlier the detection of bone loss, the more bone density there is to save. This means a greater chance of living a full life even with osteoporosis, an otherwise crippling and debilitating disease.
Physicians will use the test to measure a patient’s bone mineral density (BMD), and then compare the density to a test population of similar age, gender, and ethnicity. Changes in bone density over time can also be measured.
The results of the test will help your physician determine a course of therapy. But early detection is the key. With medication, vitamin therapy, physical therapy, and exercises, women can live long, healthy lives. People used to believe that osteoporosis was just a natural result of aging, and that the results were inevitable. Now with early detection, we can alter the outcome for the better. Most insurance plans cover the cost of testing. We will help you verify coverage with your insurance carrier.
OB/GYN Ultrasound
OB Ultrasound is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive, diagnostic tool which utilizes high frequency sound waves to create images used to identify or rule out problems. The procedure can be performed transabdominally or transvaginally, depending on various clinical circumstances. In a transvaginal ultrasound, a thin probe is inserted into the vagina for better visualization.
An OB ultrasound can aid the Doctor throughout your pregnancy. Early in your pregnancy, our RDMS Certified sonographers can confirm the viability of the fetus by visualizing the baby’s heartbeat, identify multiple pregnancies, and determine an accurate due date. As your pregnancy progresses, ultrasounds are utilized to screen for fetal anomalies, to diagnose problems such as bleeding, and to monitor proper fetal growth and well-being.
Plan on leaving each OB ultrasound visit with in an in-utero picture of your baby.
A GYN ultrasound is used to examine the anatomy of the cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, and helps identify various problems and abnormalities. Commonly, it is a great diagnostic tool for evaluating pelvic pain, infertility, and abnormal uterine bleeding. A GYN ultrasound can also be used to screen for ovarian or uterine cancer, diagnose uterine fibroids, and detect cysts and masses.
For your convenience and for the most thorough evaluation, our goal when scheduling is to coordinate your ultrasound appointment with your physician visit.
Urodynamic Testing
If you are experiencing bladder problems such as urgency, frequency or incontinence, your doctor may perform a battery of tests known as “urodynamic studies” to determine the specific cause of your symptoms. These tests are typically performed after an infection has been ruled out. Some of the tests performed for urodynamic studies are:
- Uroflowmetry – This test measures the speed and volume of urine flow to determine if the bladder muscle is weak or urine flow is obstructed.
- Cystometrogram – This tests measures how much pressure the bladder can hold before needing to empty. A catheter is placed in the bladder as more and more water is added until the need to urinate is felt.
- Electromyography – This test measures the muscles in and around the sphincter to determine if the problem is related to nerve or muscle damage.
Other tests such as measuring residual urine volume may also be performed to help your doctor diagnose your urinary condition.
Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, targeted treatment recommendations can be offered.
Mammogram
A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breasts, used to detect and diagnose breast diseases. A woman’s chance of developing cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 8. A new breast cancer patient is diagnosed every 2.5 minutes. Over 2 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the US today.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women have a baseline screening mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40. Beginning at the age of 40, women should have an annual screening mammogram.
While having a mammogram you may experience some discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful. Mammography is the best tool in early detection of breast cancer giving patients a much better chance of survival and leading a long, productive life.
Carlos & Parnell, M.D., P.A. recommend Women’s Wellness at Medical City Dallas, Solis Women’s Health, and Insight Diagnostic Center for our patients.