Welcome to the WLC Medical Health Hub. Our SALAD (Short Answer, Long Answer Day) articles provide evidence-based answers to common health questions, whether you're after a quick overview or a more in-depth read.
Short answer: A Bone Density DEXA Scan may be recommended for people who have risk factors for reduced bone density or osteoporosis, or who simply want to better understand their bone health. It is a quick, low-radiation assessment that measures bone mineral density and can help identify changes before a fracture occurs
Long answer:
Bone health changes throughout life, often without causing noticeable symptoms. Because reduced bone density usually…
Short answer: A DEXA scan uses a very low dose of ionising radiation. At WLC Medical in Belmont, Perth, we use a GE Lunar iDXA medical-grade DEXA scanner for bone density and total body composition assessments. One way to put the radiation exposure into perspective is to compare it with other everyday and medical exposures. A flight between Perth and the Pilbara can expose a person to several times the radiation of a typical DEXA scan due to naturally occurring cosmic radiation at altitude. DEXA also uses considerably less radiation than many other forms of medical imaging. Depending on the examination, a standard X-ray may involve tens of times more radiation than a typical DEXA scan, while CT scans generally involve substantially higher radiation doses again. At WLC Medical, we follow the radiation protection principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and do not perform DEXA scans during pregnancy. Overall, DEXA provides detailed information about bone density and body composition using a very low radiation dose.
Long answer:
Why Does a DEXA Scan Use Radiation? DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. The scanner…
Short answer: How often you should have a DEXA scan depends on the type of scan, why you are having it and whether you are monitoring changes over time. Bone Density DEXA scans may be repeated after a period recommended by your healthcare professional, while Total Body Composition DEXA scans may be repeated approximately every 3 to 6 months when you are actively making changes to your nutrition, exercise, weight or lifestyle and want to monitor changes in your body composition.
Long answer:
DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) can be used to assess both bone density and body composition,…
Short answer: Body weight can be a useful measurement, but it doesn't show how much of your body is made up of fat, muscle and other tissues. Two people can weigh exactly the same but have very different body compositions. Looking at body composition alongside weight can provide a more complete picture of your body and how it may be changing over time.
Long answer:
The number on the scales is one of the most common ways people track changes…
Short answer: Visceral fat is the fat stored deep within your abdomen around your internal organs, including your liver, pancreas and intestines. Unlike the fat that sits just beneath your skin (subcutaneous fat), excess visceral fat has been associated with an increased risk of developing several chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. A Total Body Composition DEXA Scan provides an accurate measurement of visceral fat, helping you better understand your overall health and monitor changes over time.
Long answer:
Not all body fat is the same. Your body stores fat in different locations, each…
Short answer: Although both assessments use the same DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) technology, they measure different aspects of your health. A Bone Density DEXA Scan assesses the strength and density of your bones to help identify low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. A Total Body Composition DEXA Scan measures body fat, lean muscle mass, visceral fat and overall body composition. Choosing the right scan depends on what you want to learn about your health.
Long answer:
DEXA scanning is considered one of the most accurate and reliable methods available for assessing…
Short answer: No. At WLC Medical, you do not need a GP referral to book a Bone Density DEXA Scan or a Total Body Composition DEXA Scan. As the first allied health clinic in Western Australia to offer medical-grade DEXA assessments without requiring a GP referral, we make it easier for people to access accurate information about their bone health and body composition. Many people choose to self-refer to better understand their bone health or body composition, establish a baseline, monitor changes over time, or support their health and fitness goals. If you have been referred by your GP or another healthcare provider, you're also welcome to book your scan with us.
Long answer:
A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a quick, safe and non-invasive assessment that uses…
Short answer: Probiotics and prebiotics both interact with the microorganisms living in your gut, but they work in different ways. Probiotics are specific live microorganisms that have been shown to provide a health benefit when consumed in adequate amounts, while prebiotics are substances that are used by microorganisms in the body and provide a health benefit. Both may play a role in supporting gut health, but their effects depend on the individual and the specific probiotic or prebiotic being used.
Long answer:
Your digestive system is home to a large and diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria,…
Short answer: Not getting enough good-quality sleep can affect much more than how tired you feel the next day. Poor or insufficient sleep can affect concentration, memory, mood, reaction time and physical performance. When it happens regularly, inadequate sleep is also associated with an increased risk of several long-term health conditions. For most adults, getting around 7–9 hours of good-quality sleep each night is recommended.
Long answer:
Sleep is an essential part of maintaining our physical and mental health. While you’re asleep,…
Short answer: Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that alternates phases of eating with set intervals without eating any food (fasting) on either a daily or regular basis, ranging from a few hours to fasting for a whole day.
Long answer:
Intermittent fasting is the process of only eating within a specific timeframe as a means…
