A BONE densitometer is a sophisticated scanner which detects the amount of bone at a particular part of the body and can therefore determine bone strength.

With advances in technology and the development of bone densitometry, it has become possible to assess an individual's bone density. This is particularly useful because low bone density has been linked to an increased risk of fracture.

Osteoporosis can now be diagnosed prior to bones breaking to give individuals the opportunity to take treatments and adopt lifestyle changes which will reduce the risks.

The most common means of measuring bone density involves an x-ray. One of the main advantages over other x-ray systems which measure bone strength is that radiation exposure is extremely small and about one tenth of the amount used in a chest x-ray.

The scan is by no ways unpleasant and involves a patient lying on a firm couch while a scanning arm passes over the body taking an image of the spine and hips.

The results show the quality of bone in an individual and are compared with a normal range of bone strength for other people of comparable age.

But like all forms of medical equipment, bone densitometers are being continually improved and upgraded with more and more features to help hospitals and patients make quicker, better and more thorough examinations.

Please support the Yeovil Express' FAST Appeal and make a real difference to the work of Yeovil District Hospital's bone density unit by helping to fund a new scanner which will give a huge boost to staff in their fight against osteoporosis.