Medical experts believe that DEXA scans are the most useful, simple and inexpensive tests to help diagnose osteoporosis. The test is quick and painless.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a term used to describe brittle bones and the risk of bone fractures. With age, bones can lose thickness and strength. Osteoporosis literally means “porous bone”. DEXA tests help your health care provider monitor bone density and risk of bone fractures over time.

Osteoporosis occurs when you lose bone faster than your body can make new bone tissue. It is most common in postmenopausal women. Over time, bones become weaker. Of course, fragile bones break more easily.

Health professionals sometimes call osteoporosis a “silent” disease because it doesn’t hurt. Many people first realize they have osteoporosis after breaking a bone in a fall.

What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a term used to describe “low bone tissue”. Many individuals, including those who are slim and very active, have lower bone density throughout their lives. However, this does not necessarily mean that they will develop osteoporosis. Many top athletes have low bone density, but their bones are healthy and very strong. Osteopenia is not “pre-osteoporosis,” but sometimes, if a person has other risk factors for fracture, osteoporosis therapy may be recommended to prevent future fractures.

What does a DEXA scan look like?

DEXA scans measure the mineral content of certain bones, such as the hip, spine and/or forearm. The procedure is as follows:

You will be asked to lie on a special DEXA table. The technician will help you position yourself correctly and will use aids such as sponges to maintain the desired position. As the arc of the DEXA machine passes over the body, it uses two different x-rays. The rays use very little radiation to make the test safer and help distinguish bone from other tissues. The scanner translates bone density measurement data into images and graphs. These results are then printed and you can show them to your doctor, usually the referring endocrinologist or rheumatologist.

Who should do a DEXA scan?

Healthcare professionals consider many factors when deciding who might benefit from a DEXA scan and how often. Healthcare professionals often recommend a DEXA scan to assess bone health and fracture risk due to osteoporosis if you are over 50, have a broken bone, or other diseases that threaten your bones.

Research shows that women start losing bone mass earlier and faster than men. Therefore, health professionals usually recommend that women have a DEXA scan to screen for osteoporosis at a younger age compared to men.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a DEXA scan if you have one or more risk factors for osteoporosis or fractures:

Increased age: Most people lose bone mass as they age.

Family history: If one or more family members have osteoporosis or more than one fracture, you may be at greater risk of bone loss.

Previous fractures: Broken bones, especially after age 50, can be a sign that you are at higher risk. Porous (less dense) bones break more easily.

Medications: Some medications, such as the steroid prednisone, some cancer medications, and medications used after organ transplants can weaken your bones.

Your general health: Many chronic medical conditions can increase the likelihood of bone fractures. Risk conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, liver disease and kidney disease.

What else do healthcare professionals use DEXA for?

Healthcare providers may request a DEXA scan to:

Tracked changes in bone health over time. Monitor your response to therapy. Assess body composition, such as the amount of fat and muscle tissue in your body (and where it is).

How often should a DEXA scan be done?

Your healthcare provider will consider several factors, such as your age, level of fracture risk, previous DEXA results, and current medications. Then, your healthcare provider will create a personalized plan to assess and protect your bone health.

How to prepare for a DEXA scan?

Most people do not need to change their daily routine before a DEXA scan. Eat, drink and take your medicine as usual, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

Before the test, please do the following:

Stop taking calcium supplements 24 hours before the test: This includes multivitamins as well as antacids that are often used to treat heartburn. Wear comfortable clothes. Try to choose clothes that do not have metal (threads, buttons, buckles…). Tell your doctor if you might be pregnant: DEXA scans use low levels of radiation. Doctors recommend avoiding all radiation exposure during pregnancy.

How long does a DEXA scan take?

DEXA imaging for osteoporosis (hip + spine) takes about 10 minutes, while imaging for body composition (body composition) takes about 15 minutes, together if they are done about 25 minutes.

Is a DEXA scan painful?

Not. You won’t feel anything while lying on the table

How accurate is a DEXA scan?

DEXA examinations provide a high degree of precision and accuracy. Medical experts consider DEXA examinations to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Unlike x-ray machines, DEXA machines are sensitive and calibrated daily to determine their ability to accurately measure bone mineral, and no two DEXA machines are exactly the same. This is why your doctor will insist that you do all DEXA tests on the same machine.

At Ars Medica Beograd, we provide comprehensive and advanced cardiology diagnostics, combining non-invasive and state-of-the-art imaging methods.

Holter ECG and blood pressure monitoring

Holter ECG and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provide continuous 24-hour monitoring of heart rhythm and blood pressure during daily activities.

They are used for:

• detecting arrhythmias
• evaluating palpitations, dizziness, or syncope
• assessing therapy effectiveness
• diagnosing and monitoring hypertension

PCCT coronary angiography

PCCT coronary angiography is an advanced non-invasive method for imaging coronary arteries.

It enables:

• precise detection of coronary stenosis and plaques
• improved evaluation of calcifications and stents
• lower radiation dose
• reduced contrast volume

Cardiac MRI

Cardiac MRI is the most accurate method for evaluating cardiac structure and function.

It allows:

• assessment of ventricular function
• detection of myocardial damage (infarction, myocarditis, fibrosis)
• evaluation of valves and congenital abnormalities
• analysis of perfusion and viability

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)

Ergospirometry (CPET) evaluates the integrated response of the heart, lungs, and muscles during exercise.

It provides:

• measurement of functional capacity (VO₂ max)
• differentiation between cardiac and pulmonary causes of symptoms
• optimization of therapy and training

After heart attack, stroke is the leading cause of death worldwide. In Serbia, one case of stroke is recorded every 15 minutes. That is, about 23,000 people a year in Serbia experience an acute stroke, of that number, about 7,500 lose their lives, the same number remain disabled, while approximately 8,000 successfully recover. Preventive measures can significantly reduce the negative consequences, especially if a person seeks professional help and receives thrombolytic therapy within the first hour of the onset of symptoms.

The most common symptoms of neurological diseases are: mental problems, muscle weakness, muscle tremors, loss of feeling in the extremities, unexplained pain, confusion, vision problems, headaches

The most common neurological diseases are: headaches and migraines, head and spine injuries, brain tumors, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnostics of neurological diseases includes the application of various methods for identifying and monitoring damage in the nervous system:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain and spinal cord. It is especially useful for diagnosing tumors, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other structural damage.

2. Computed tomography (CT): Uses X-rays to create layered images of the brain and spine. It is fast and effective for detecting bleeding, aneurysms, tumors, skull fractures and strokes, especially in emergency situations.

3.Electroencephalography (EEG): is a neurological diagnostic method that provides data on brain activity, that is, on brain functioning, which cannot be obtained in any other way.
EEG recording is painless, safe and harmless. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s scalp and record the electrical activity of the brain. The computer of the EEG machine converts this information into a graphic record that is interpreted by a doctor, an electroencephalographer.
EEG is important in the process of diagnosing epilepsy, loss of consciousness, confused states, sleep disorders. Also, EEG can provide useful information to the neurologist during the monitoring of the condition after a head injury, cerebrovascular insult, dementia, intoxication, tumor processes in the brain, brain infections. Simultaneous recording of EEG and video recordings of the patient is important in the diagnostic process of epilepsy and other sudden, short-term, repeated behavioral and movement disorders, because it allows them to be analyzed simultaneously with the recording of electrical activity of the brain.
Standard EEG recording is performed in the awake state, and if it is clinically significant, EEG recording is also performed after partial sleep deprivation with the aim of registering the EEG record during sleep.

As part of the preparation for a standard EEG recording, it is necessary:
• Take a light meal 2 hours before the scheduled recording time.
• Wash your hair the day before or on the day of the examination, but do not use conditioner/balm, hair masks, hairspray and gel, as they can affect the quality of the recording.
• On the day of the recording, do not consume alcohol or caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, coke) because they can affect the test results.
• Take your regular, prescribed therapy as usual.
As part of preparation for EEG recording after partial sleep deprivation, it is necessary to:
• Fall asleep two hours later than the usual rhythm the night before, and wake up two hours earlier in the morning, no later than 4 a.m.
• During the morning, be active, do not nap or sleep, have lunch and then come to the recording.

4. Electromyoneurography (EMNG): This method evaluates muscle and peripheral nerve function. It is used for the diagnosis of muscle diseases, neuropathies, radiculopathy and similar conditions.

These methods are often used complementary in order to make a precise diagnosis and enable adequate treatment.

Key advantages of modern CT imaging at Ars Medica:

• High-speed, high-precision diagnostics
  Rapid acquisition of detailed images of the entire body
• Ultra-high resolution (PCCT up to ~0.2 mm slices)
  Detection of subtle and early-stage changes not visible on standard CT
• Lower radiation dose (up to 40–60% with PCCT)
  Advanced technology allows safer imaging without compromising quality
• Reduced contrast dye usage (up to 40%)
  Particularly beneficial for patients with kidney sensitivity
• Superior vascular imaging
  More accurate evaluation of arteries, plaques, and stents with fewer artifacts
• Advanced spectral imaging capabilities
  Improved differentiation between tissues for more precise diagnosis

What can a CT scan detect?

CT (MSCT and PCCT) is widely used for:

• Cardiovascular imaging (including coronary CT angiography)
• Oncology diagnostics and follow-up
• Lung and chest imaging
• Brain and neurovascular conditions
• Abdominal and pelvic examinations
• Trauma and emergency diagnostics
• Whole-body screening and complex cases

MSCT vs PCCT – what is the difference?

While standard MSCT remains a highly reliable diagnostic tool, PCCT represents the next step forward. It provides:

• higher resolution images
• lower radiation exposure
• reduced contrast dye requirements
• improved detection and characterization of disease

This makes PCCT particularly valuable in cardiology, oncology, and complex diagnostic cases.