Common Diagnostic Tests for Arthritis
There are more than 100 forms of arthritis. Therefore, it is important to choose the right tests to diagnose the right type. A doctor can do this by combining different methods, such as blood tests, imaging techniques, physical exams, and health questionnaires about your family history of rheumatic conditions or arthritis. Although persistent joint pain does not necessarily mean arthritis, the early stages of joint damage would lead to pain that worsens over time. You tend to feel this problem on a daily basis, which would be noticeable and disrupt your daily tasks. [5]
Other Applications of a Bone Density Test
In addition to diagnosing osteoporosis, a bone density test can also help monitor the effectiveness of treatments and measure the risk of bone fractures. A doctor may also suggest this procedure for any individual with a high risk of bone loss. These include:
– Women who are at least 65 years old.
– Men with rheumatoid arthritis or kidney disease.
– Postmenopausal women who do not take estrogen.
A bone density test can also be used for those people who:
– Have high turnover of bones.
– Take drugs that would result in bone loss, such as prednisone, steroids, or phenytoin.
– Have a family or personal history of hip fractures or smoking.
– Have a disease that would increase the risk, such as hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or type 1 diabetes. [6]
