Bone
Mineral Density Scanner
In keeping with our mission to provide the best possible
care for our communities, south Huron Hospital Foundation
is in the process of implementing Bone Mineral Density Program.
The Bone Mineral Density Scanner will allow diagnostic staff
to do testing at South Huron Hospital. What does that mean
for patients? Our community members will be able to access
the test close to home and avoid travel. Your family doctor
will receive test results and treat your condition, if required.
The cost to purchase the required equipment is $110,000.00
Some young people, and not so young, may wonder what the
purpose of a Bone Mineral Scan really is. The Scan will
detect Osteoporosis, a bone disorder that can afflict anyone,
but often those middle-aged and older. Usually it strikes
those who have had little calcium in their diets as children,
chronic smokers and those who have inherited a tendency
of thin and brittle bones. Early detection is the most important
step for the prevention and then treatment of the disease.
Doctors, who examine bone mineral density tests are able
to:
| i) |
determine
if bones are susceptible to easy breakage |
| ii) |
confirm
a diagnosis of osteoporosis if someone
has a broken
bone |
| iii) |
predict
the chances of a person’s having a fracture
in the future |
| iv) |
determine
the rate of bone loss and prescribe
effective treatments |
|
|
Cardiac
Stress Test Clinic
Proceeds from the Royal Canadian Legion, Exeter, 2007 Convertible
Mustang Car Draw have been used to help purchase equipment
for a Cardiac Stress Test Clinic.
The first clinic was held October 22, 2008.
A Cardiac Stress Test helps doctors see how well one’s
heart can cope during exercise, when the body’s need
for oxygen puts extra demands on the heart.
How is a Stress Test Performed?
The patient is attached to an ECG machine, and a blood pressure
cuff is placed on one arm. After a baseline ECG is obtained,
the patient begins to perform a low level of exercise on
a treadmill.
Doctors order cardiac stress tests for
a variety of purposes. The test helps them:
| • |
determine whether any
of the coronary
arteries are clogged |
| • |
find the cause of chest pain |
| • |
assess the heart’s capability
after a heart
attack or heart surgery |
| • |
discover heart disease |
| • |
set limits on one’s exercise |
| • |
detect extra heartbeats (arrhythmias) |
| • |
judge a medicine’s capacity
to control chest
pain or extra beats during exercise |
|
