Staying active and getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, as well as regular bone density tests at Jacksonville's Precision Imaging Centers, can help boost bone health.

Osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones, affects 10 million older Americans (80 percent of them women). And some of the causes may surprise you. To find out if you’ve been affected, opt for a bone density test. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers state-of-the-art digital imaging services to determine your risk for osteoporosis. Be sure to schedule your appointment if you are 65 or older, particularly if you’ve experienced any of the following:

• Medical treatment with glucocorticoids, antidepressants, Depo-Provera or Chemotherapy: Each of these medications / treatments has been linked with bone loss, particularly in patients who take them long-term and who were already at risk for bone loss at the time they began treatment. Bone health appears to return once women stop taking Depo-Provera, an injected contraceptive or cease chemotherapy treatments.
• Diabetes: Bone structure in diabetes patients is more porous than in those who don’t have the disease.
• Autoimmune disorders: Lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions are risk factors for bone loss, even in sufferers who forego medications.
• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can affect hormone levels and vitamin D levels, both of which can lead to bone loss.
• Estrogen deficiency: Menopause or anything else that causes a drop in estrogen levels can boost your chances of bone loss.
• Gastrectomy and weight-loss surgery: Removal of part of the stomach can affect the digestive tract’s ability to absorb calcium and vitamin D- both nutrients essential to bone health.
• Eating disorders: Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia can lead to bone loss via malnutrition, excessive weight loss, calcium deficiencies, estrogen drops and overproduction of cortisol, known as the “stress hormone.”
• Immobility: Whether by being bedridden due to a medical condition for a long period of time or simply being a couch potato, immobility can weaken your bones. Being active and getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise can help strengthen them.
• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes is believed to interfere with calcium absorption and has been linked to bone fractures. Kick the habit and bone health will gradually return.
• Excessive alcohol: Drinking large amounts of alcohol can deplete your hormones and boost cortisol levels, thus affecting bone health. Plus, frequent drunken falls make you more susceptible to bone fractures and breaks.

If you believe you’re at risk for bone loss, even if you’re not yet 65 years old, contact Precision Imagining Centers for information on a bone densitometry test. Jacksonville’s top imaging provider can be reached at 904-996-8100, or via our online appointment request form.

Things have come a long way since the first human x-ray (pictured) was performed in 1896. Today, digital x-rays are faster, safer, more accuate and less exensive than traditional film x-rays.

If your physician orders x-ray imaging for diagnosis of a medical issue, be sure you request that your diagnostic imaging be done via digital rather than conventional film x-ray. You’ll get a more thorough and accurate diagnosis, you won’t have to wait weeks for results and you’ll likely pay less with a digital x-ray, Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers says.

First discovered in 1895, traditional film x-rays use high concentrations of radiation, which can be harmful to living organisms. That’s why pregnant women must not undergo certain types of x-rays that will expose fetuses to hazardous levels of radiation. Film x-rays also require the use of photo developing chemicals that can be harmful to the skin and must be hauled away by a chemical disposal company when the x-ray machine is no longer in use to avoid environmental issues.

Today, physicians and imaging professionals increasingly choose digital x-rays over traditional film x-rays for reasons that benefit both the patients and the staff. Digital x-rays capture images via digital sensors that use far less radiation, thereby posing a far lesser health risk to patients. Images are available immediately and special processing techniques can be applied to enhance the images. This immediacy certainly beats the weeks you might wait for film x-rays to be processed and delivered – and the additional time, effort and financial cost spent for a re-do if a film x-ray image comes back unusable.

Digital images also can be easily edited and quickly transferred to your physician for review and final diagnosis. As we all know, the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the better his or her chances for effective treatment – no matter the medical condition. Plus, the full process can be completed for much less money. In fact, Precision Imaging Centers typically can save you up to 90 percent over traditional hospital charges for the same procedures, including digital x-rays.

Jacksonville’s top imaging firm is conveniently located on the Southside of town and is open early mornings, late evenings and weekends to cater to your busy schedule. Call 904-996-8100 or use our online appointment scheduling form to request your consultation today.

4D ultrasounds can help track your baby's development in the womb and spot signs of preterm labor risk.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is pregnant, be sure you know all the symptoms and risk factors of premature birth and be proactive about protecting your baby by getting a 4D ultrasound. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers 4D ultrasounds and other diagnostic screenings.

According to statistics from the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization working to help mothers deliver full-term pregnancies and conduct research on health threats to babies:

• More than half a million babies are born too soon in the U.S. each year;
• Worldwide, 13 million babies are born premature each year;
• Premature birth rates have risen nationwide by 36 percent over the past 25 years;
• Babies born just a few weeks early are at greater risk for severe health problems and lifelong disabilities;
• Premature birth costs American society more than $26 million each year;
• More importantly, premature birth is the nation’s No. 1 killer of newborns.

The healthiest babies are carried in their mother’s wombs for at least 39 weeks. Expectant moms can help cut their risk of delivering prematurely by avoiding cigarette smoking, alcoholic drinks and illicit drugs; watching for and quickly treating any vaginal infections; staying well hydrated; keeping all prenatal appointments; and watching for signs of preterm labor.

The signs of preterm labor can include:

• Having more than five contractions or cramps in one hour;
• Bright red vaginal bleeding;
• Swelling in the face or hands;
• Painful urination;
• Continuous vomiting;
• A sudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina;
• Sharp or prolonged pain in your stomach, intense pelvic pressure or low, dull back pain.

If you suspect that you’re at risk for delivering your baby prematurely, ask your obstetrician about a digital 4D ultrasound. Jacksonville ultrasound professionals at Precision Imaging Centers can predict preterm labor risks based upon images showing the length of and shape of the cervix. Plus, ultrasounds performed at key points throughout your pregnancy can help assure that your baby is growing and developing correctly, and support early detection of potential health risks or problems. Contact Precision Imaging Centers at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment request feature.

Have you scheduled your breast cancer screening, Jacksonville?

October 2011 marks the 25th National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Precision Imaging Centers sees hundreds of patients each month – not just in October – for breast cancer screening in Jacksonville, including digital mammography and MRI. Here are answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions about breast cancer screening:

What is the most reliable screening tool for breast cancer?
Digital mammography is a highly reliable and currently most available screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. MRIs, or magnetic resonance imaging screenings, are more thorough than traditional mammograms (though digital mammograms are close). But they are more expensive and often detect benign growths. Because of this, MRIs often are not covered by insurance companies. The best advice is to get an annual digital mammogram beginning at age 40. If a possible cancerous growth is detected, your doctor may request further screening via MRI.

Who should get breast cancer screening?
Jacksonville physicians highly recommend getting a mammogram each year beginning at age 40 or earlier if you have certain risk factors. These factors include a history of breast disease; family history of breast cancer; an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes; having begun menstruating before age 12; a first pregnancy after age 25 or 35 or having no children; and the use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy).

Will insurance pay for mammograms?
The U.S. government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs and most private health insurance plans do cover regular mammograms. You’ll need to check your insurance policies for any restrictions or individual policy details.

If it’s time for your mammogram, contact Precision Imaging Centers in Jacksonville at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment request feature. We offer early morning, late night and weekend breast cancer screening services to accommodate your busy schedule. PIC also accepts most major insurance programs and offers state-of-the-art screening services for much less than you or your insurer will play in hospital setting.

A myriad of seemingly mundane symptoms like bloating or abdominal pain could actually indicate ovarian cancer.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Precision Imaging Centers, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Dr. Oz share tips for knowing when it might be time for ovarian cancer screening.

Ovarian cancer symptoms mimic those of dozens of other, less dangerous, even seemingly mundane conditions. As a result, it’s one of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers. In fact, a University of Washington survey of 1,700 women with ovarian cancer found that 36% had been misdiagnosed. Worse yet, a full 12% had been told by doctors that their symptoms were psychosomatic or, in other words, “all in their heads.”

Unfortunately, this high rate of misdiagnosis means that by the time ovarian cancer is confirmed it’s all too often already spread. Just 15% of ovarian cases are caught in the early stages, when any cancer is most easily and effectively treated. That’s heartbreaking when you consider that early detection can increase a woman’s five-year survival odds from just 30% to over 90%

In an effort to encourage early detection of ovarian cancer, the famous Dr. Oz and the NOCC offer these tips on noticing early warning signs:

1. Bloating: Sure, this is a tough one. What woman doesn’t experience some amount of bloating nearly every month? The key here is changes in the reoccurrence and persistence of your bloating. If it happens nearly daily and continues for more than a few weeks, make doctor’s appointment immediately.
2. Pelvic or abdominal pain: This, like bloating, is another common, almost mundane ailment for women – one that can indicate a myriad of medical conditions. But like bloating, if your pelvic or abdominal pain persists and becomes increasingly severe, it could be a red flag for ovarian cancer.
3. Filling up quickly: If you’re unable to put down the same portions of your meals that you normally do, or if you experience persistent constipation, get to a doctor. Chemicals released by ovaries slow down movement of food through the intestines. As ovarian cancer spreads, it can attach itself to the intestine and cause partial blockages, leading to difficulty in eating, nausea or vomiting.
4. Frequent urination: If your doctor insists you have a UTI or bladder infection, but your frequent or urgent urination symptoms persist for more than two weeks, insist on a dipstick test. It’s yet another commonly misdiagnosed symptom of ovarian cancer.

If you have any of these symptoms and believe you may be at risk for ovarian cancer, ask your physician about diagnostic scanning. Precision Imaging Centers is open early morning, late evening and weekend hours, offers state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services and costs far less than many similar hospital services.

New research shows that ultrasound can help predict a patient's risk for Parkinson's disease.

A new study shows that a patient’s risk for developing Parkinson’s disease may be predicted using ultrasound. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers spotted the study in the July 2011 issue of Archives of Neurology. The study showed that the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease was 17 times higher among people with a detectable pattern in the brain area called the substantia nigra.

In earlier runs of the ultrasound test known as transcranial sonography, images of the substantia nigra of a patient with Parkinson’s lit up more so than images of the same brain area in healthy individuals. Authors of the recent study aimed to determine whether the test might detect changes in the brain before motor symptoms of Parkinson’s develop. Researchers from Germany and Austria screened more than 1,800 healthy volunteers over the age of 50 using transcranial sonography. About three years later, 1535 of the volunteers returned for a follow-up test.

According to the study’s results:

At the time of their follow-up tests, 11 of the 1,535 returning study participants had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
262 study participants, nearly 19 percent, had substantia nigra light up on their first scan, showing (in medical terms) increased substantia nigra hyperechogenicity.
Eight of the 262 participants with abnormal scans later developed Parkinson’s.
Two participants with normal scans did develop Parkinson’s.
Individuals with abnormal transcranial sonography scans were nearly 17 times more likely to have developed Parkinson’s three years later than people with an initially normal scan.

The study is significant because it’s the first to show a highly increased risk of Parkinson’s among older patients with specific ultrasound findings from transcranial sonography, which happens to be a non-invasive, inexpensive and easy to perform test. Findings may help Parkinson’s disease researchers to further develop neuroprotective drugs that can delay or prevent the onset of the disease in patients believed to be at a higher risk.

If you’re considering an ultrasound, Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers state-of-art service by onsite physicians and board-certified radiologists and at prices far below typical hospital charges. Call 904-996-8100 or complete our convenient online appointment request form.

Inflammation can cause stiffness, numbness and radiating pain following a sports-related neck injury.

Neck injuries are common to sports that require participants to wear a helmet. After all, if you need to wear body armor, chances are you’ve chosen a sport where collisions with other players and/or the ground are inevitable. In some cases, injuries to the neck are a direct result of poor technique or a misunderstanding as to how the helmet should be used. For contact sports like football, coaches need to teach proper technique where the players use their shoulder pads to block or tackle and not their helmet. This reduces the helmet to helmet contact and helps avoid many compression injuries to the neck.

Injuries to the neck also occur when the head is pushed forcefully to the side, forward, or backward. In cases involving the latter, the helmet itself can cause or intensify the injury if the back of helmet digs into the athlete’s neck. Football neck pads (also called a linebacker’s collar) can help to cushion the blow caused by the back edge of the helmet. But, neck collars should not be worn to allow for increased helmet to helmet contact. Remember, helmets do a great job in protecting the contents of the skull but actually increase risk of neck injury when used incorrectly.

Fortunately, most organized sports today require emergency medical personnel to be present during competitive events and many teams have staff trainers who have a basic understanding of anatomical injuries. When a neck injury does happen, these individuals should be the first to respond to an injured player. This can be critical when the signs of an injury indicate a need for the immobilization of the head, neck and shoulders. In such cases, there is an immediate need for medical imaging to provide an accurate assessment of damage to bones, joints and the connective tissues.

In cases where the neck injury is deemed less serious, the immediate application of ice on the back of the neck will reduce inflammation and help with pain management. Following an injury to the neck, it is not a good idea to continually stretch the neck. Rehabilitation of an injured area is a good thing but only after the initial injury has time to heal. Ice packs can be used for several days to reduce inflammation and promote healing. But, heating pads should be avoided. The warmth may feel good to the injured area but the application of dry heat can cause stiffness with shooting pains.

If numbness occurs, stiffness persists or there is noticeable muscle weakness, diagnostic radiology will likely be needed to determine the extent of the damage before rehabilitation of the injury begins. When your physician suggests the need for a digital x-ray, MRI, CT scan or ultrasound, ask them to make an appointment with Precision Imaging Centers of Jacksonville. Our qualified staff will take excellent care of you and will provide your doctor with the best imaging diagnosis at a reasonable cost.

What's the best time for an ultrasound? Jacksonville's Precision Imaging Centers offers tips on getting the best ultrasound images of your baby.

Every expectant mother looks forward to clear, beautiful images of her little one still nested in the womb. But there are multiple factors that can affect the images from your ultrasound, Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers says.

• Timing: Before the 24 week period, your baby hasn’t developed enough for ultrasound images to show images that clearly look like a baby. These images, usually taken with 2D and 3D imaging equipment, primarily are beneficial for diagnostic purposes. After 37 weeks, your baby likely is moving into the birth canal and there is little movement of arms and legs.  The ultrasound images that will prove most impressive are produced between 24 and 34 weeks, when your baby has developed some fat and has room to move around. 4D images produced during this time will clearly show little fingers, toes, lips and nose.
• Amniotic fluid: Sound waves from the ultrasound equipment must travel through the amniotic fluid. So, the more amniotic fluid surrounding your baby, the clear the ultrasound images you can expect.
• Placement of the placenta: Because sound waves can’t penetrate the placenta, let’s hope it’s not positioned in front of your baby’s face when you in for your ultrasound, Jacksonville.
• Your body size: If you are small-framed, your baby’s ultrasound images likely will come out clearer than those of a full-figured woman.
• Your baby’s position: If your baby is facing your spine, ultrasound images will show the back of his or her head. However, if there is enough amniotic fluid an experienced technician may be able to coax your little one to turn a bit for a better facial image.
• Your ultrasound provider: The quality of the imaging equipment used and your technician’s level of experience and expertise also can affect our ultrasound images – for better or worse.

Precision Imaging Centers knows that ultrasound images of developing babies have both diagnostic value and emotional value. We use state-of-the-art equipment that allows for the highest quality diagnostic imaging available nationwide and employ highly trained and experienced technicians. If you are expecting a child and want the best possible images from your ultrasound, Jacksonville’s top imaging provider can be reached at 904-996-8100 or use our convenient online appointment scheduling feature.

Women are recommended to undergo a mammogram at age 40, a colonoscopy at 50 and bone density test at 65.

May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week. Are you aware of the top recommended diagnostic imaging tests for women, Jacksonville? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, along with health organizations nationwide, highly recommends that women of certain ages undergo three diagnostic imaging tests. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers each of these tests and tips for what to expect:

1. Bone Density Test: Jacksonville women can find out whether they are at risk for osteoporosis with a bone density test, also known as a DXA (dual-energy X-ray). Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that affects nearly 10 million older Americans. A full 80 percent of them are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women can lose upwards of 30 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, so it’s recommended that women get bone density tests at age 65 and every five years thereafter. Tests are especially important for women who weigh less than 127 pounds, have ever smoked, have had non-traumatic fractures as an adult or have a family history of osteoporosis.
2. Mammogram: Jacksonville women 40 and older should have a mammogram once a year, as well as a breast ultrasound or MRI if a calcium deposit or mass is spotted. If tests determine that a lump is a solid mass, a biopsy is the next step. Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer when it’s confined to the breast. When diagnosed at this stage, 97 percent of women survive without a recurrence for at least five years, according to statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society.
3. Colonoscopy: Ok, Jacksonville women. We know this one ain’t no fun. But it’s important. And it doesn’t have to be quite as uncomfortable an issue as it once was. A colonoscopy can detect colorectal cancer even before symptoms occur. An optical colonoscopy involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube outfitted with a tiny camera into the patient’s anus and gently gliding it into the rectum and through the colon. In the less invasive virtual colonoscopy, a tube is inserted into the anus, but not advanced into the rectum. Instead, the tube fills the colon with air and a CT scan is performed to create virtual images of the colon. This less invasive procedure can prove just as effective in detecting polyps as an optical colonoscopy. That’s important because, when caught in its early stage, colorectal cancer is more than 90 percent curable.

To schedule your diagnostic imaging tests, contact Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment scheduling feature.

It’s one of those things no one looks forward to – the doctors’ recommendation of a colonoscopy. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers knows that this procedure is one that patients dread. But we’ve got good news. Advances in technology have made the colonoscopy a less invasive procedure for many.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a gastroenterologist to examine and evaluate the inside of the colon (also called the large bowel). This is done via two types of colonoscopies. Jacksonville patients have the choice between an optical and a virtual procedure. In the traditional optical colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a “colonoscope” into the patient’s anus and gently glides into the rectum and through the colon. The colonoscope has a thickness about the size of a finger and outfitted with a tiny camera that captures video images of the patient’s inner colon lining. Images are transmitted to a television monitor for viewing by the gastroenterologist and other physicians.

In a virtual colonoscopy, a small tube is inserted into the anus, but not advanced into the rectum. Instead, the tube injects and fills the colon with air. A CT scan is performed and images are manipulated by the computer software to create virtual images of the colon. Though both types of procedures typically involve some discomfort (often described as a bloated feeling), the virtual colonoscopy is less invasive and pressure is less intense.

With a properly performed virtual colonoscopy, Jacksonville patients can be assured results that are just as conclusive and effective as those delivered by an optical colonoscopy. In fact, virtual colonoscopies often catch tiny polyps hiding behind folds in the lining of the colon that optical colonoscopies miss. However, a virtual colonoscopy is less effective than an optical colonoscopy in detecting polyps smaller than 5mm and flat or non-protruding polyps and cancers. Also, a virtual colonoscopy cannot remove polyps. So, if they’re found, a patient may still have to undergo an optical colonoscopy as well.

Your physician can help decide which type of colonoscopy is best for you. And Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers can perform either, as well as additional gastrointestinal imaging exams that may further support the results of your colonoscopy. These include ultrasound, MRI, PET scan or digital radiology procedures. If your doctor has recommended a colonoscopy, contact Jacksonville’s most comprehensive imaging specialists at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment scheduling form.