 | Kent Richardson graduated from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 1972. Kent has owned and operated Richardson's Pharmacy, a retail independent pharmacy, and Richardson's Medical, a Durable Medical Equipment and Oxygen company in Wichita, KS since 1973. He also owns Custom Rx, Inc., a compounding only pharmacy in Wichita, KS. Since 1988, Kent has served on the Board of Directors of PACE Alliance, the largest retail pharmacy-buying group in the United States, and is currently Vice Chairman of that organization. He has also served as President and Chairman of the American College of Apothecaries, an international professional association of pharmacists, and has served on their Board of Directors for 14 years. Kent holds memberships in the National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmaceutical Association and the Kansas Pharmacy Association and has served and is still serving on various committees for these organizations. His employment history includes serving as Marketing Director for a regional Prescription Benefit Management Company (PBM) for twelve years. For the last seven years he has been instrumental in the development of Right Choice Pharmacy, a totally unique concept in the cost-effective provision of maintenance prescriptions via community pharmacies. You can reach Kent Richardson at Richardson's Custom Rx Pharmacy (316) 721-2626 located at 3510 N. Ridge Rd. in Wichita, or visit their website at www.customrx.net |
Pharmaceuticals
2005-05-01 09:03:00
How does a BMD (bone mineral density) scan work?
: How does a bone mineral density (BMD) scan work?
ANSWER: In BMD scanning, the energy of x-ray beams that are passed through bones is absorbed, and what is not absorbed is detected on the other side of the body. The greater the mineral content of the bones, the denser the bones, and the more energy is absorbed with less "exiting" energy detected. The amount of radiation energy per "picture element" of the scan (pixel) is detected and converted into a measurement known as the areal density. Through a series of calculations, bone density can be calculated for the specific bone in question. The process of BMD scanning is really quite simple for the patient. Basic BMD measurement requires the patient to be "on the table" for about 2 minutes. The patient is undressed to light clothing, and no metal piercings can be present. The whole skeleton may be examined, or a specific area, including the lumbar spine, L3 vertebra, or total upper femur.The need for BMD screenings is apparent, in that one-half of all postmenopausal women will have an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lives, including 25 percent who will develop a vertebral deformity and 15 percent who will suffer a hip fracture. Risk for fracture increases steadily as bone density declines.
