Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:45:44 GMT
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. It's the second deadliest disease, but it's entirely preventable! A local man has been fighting it for years.
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. It's the second deadliest disease, but it's entirely preventable! A local man has been fighting it for years.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:57:08 GMT
A local couple met on the Fourth of July several years ago. Now that they're planning their wedding, they're trying to re-spark the fireworks. How they plan to do that may surprise you, and it all has
A local couple met on the Fourth of July several years ago. Now that they're planning their wedding, they're trying to re-spark the fireworks. How they plan to do that may surprise you, and it all has
Friday, May 17 2013 2:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:36:10 GMT
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena.
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena. A group of children with autism, and others with chromosomal and mental disorders, is learning social interaction, physical endurance, and self assurance in the ice rink.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-05-14 17:46:30 GMT
Plastic surgeons all across the country were recently surveyed about plastic surgery trends. The results showed a staggering 31 percent increase in requests for surgery because of social media photo sharing.
Plastic surgeons all across the country were recently surveyed about plastic surgery trends. The results showed a staggering 31 percent increase in requests for surgery because of social media photo sharing.
Monday, May 6 2013 11:32 AM EDT2013-05-06 15:32:50 GMT
A pair of brothers from the Texas town of Porter are like most teens. They like to play video games, watch TV, hang out with their pets, but they have a lot more responsibilities and burdens than most.
A pair of brothers from the Texas town of Porter are like most teens. They like to play video games, watch TV, hang out with their pets, but they have a lot more responsibilities and burdens than most. Both of them rely on a heart pump to keep them alive.
We were thrilled when we had the opportunity to make the announcement on air at FOX 26 that a diabetic alert dog could be a very real possibility for a local family in need. It all started with the dream of the owners of...
We were thrilled when we had the opportunity to make the announcement on air at FOX 26 that a diabetic alert dog could be a very real possibility for a local family in need. It all started with the dream of the owners of...
The 11th Annual Children at Risk Golf Classic, hosted by FOX 26 anchor Melissa Wilson, was a huge success! The event took place at The Woodlands Country Club on the tournament course.
The 11th Annual Children at Risk Golf Classic, hosted by FOX 26 anchor Melissa Wilson, was a huge success! The event took place at The Woodlands Country Club on the tournament course.
This FOX 26 Morning News Extra special focuses on everything alternative health. INSIDE: Watch all 9 segments.
This FOX 26 Morning News Extra special focuses on everything alternative health. INSIDE: Watch all 9 segments.
HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
When you get sick and have to undergo medical testing, you might be concerned about radiation from imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI. If you don't have insurance, cost is also a huge concern. We turned to Dr. Shannon Orsak with St. Michael's Emergency Rooms, to help figure out when you really need one of these tests.
He tells us it's always okay to ask the doctor if there are other tests that don't use radiation and cost less, like an ultrasound. He says the doctor might also allow you to "wait and watch," to see if your symptoms lessen, so that you don't have to undergo testing. "If it's your abdomen or head, it depends if you need it (CT scan) immediately or it can be delayed. If they recommend it for the head, you really can't delay in those instances. When it comes to the abdomen, you can sometimes delay it or get an ultrasound.
Dr. Orsak says sometimes a patient can wait three or four hours in the Emergency Room to see how their symptoms progress, if they really don't want to undergo a CT scan.
As far as being concerned about the effects of radiation on your body because of a CT Scan: "Anytime you do an x-ray or CT scan, you're going to get radiation. We're trained as physicians to outweigh the pros and cons, for you to get a little radiation now versus missing an appendix where someone can die, it's a no-brainer. Remember, people in Denver are exposed to more radiation everyday than we are here because of their high altitude. People who fly get more radiation, so there's always that risk and benefit," says Dr. Orsak.
We also talked to Dr. Orsak about the difference between free-standing Emergency Rooms and E.R.'s connected to a hospital. "Free-standing E.R.'s are licensed and not attached to a hospital and do everything they need in an emergency situation there. Most in the state of Texas are owned by physicians or business people, as are some free-standing owned by hospitals, but stand-alone," explains Dr. Orsak. Forget a six hour wait that you may be accustomed to in a typical E.R. "That's why free-standing E.R.'s came about, because of the wait time, and it's a system problem. You take away the system flaws and expedite the care to the patient, because that's what we're really here for - the patient. Wait time is typically 15 minutes in a free-standing E.R. and costs are going to be less expensive," says Dr. Orsak.
