Monthly Archives: April 2016

Broken or Sprained- How an Xray Can Tell

doctor reading xray

If you’re injured and aren’t sure if you’ve broken a bone or just suffered a sprain, you need to get an Xray. An Xray makes it possible to look inside of the body to see if the bone is fractured or if the bone is intact. If you are in Dallas and want an accurate diagnosis of a broken bone, you can get an Xray done at Highland Park Emergency Room. You should get this testing done as soon as possible to find out if you need a cast because if the bone starts to heal on its own and does not heal correctly, it could need to be re-broken to be set.

How Does an XRAY Diagnose a Broken Bone?

Xrays must be performed by trained radiologists. You will be positioned by the radiologist so the correct pictures can be taken.  Only the soft tissue- like organs and skin- allow the Xray beams to pass through.   The denser materials, like the bones of the body, absorb the radiation that is being doctor and older man looking over xrayprojected in the thin beam.  The film is developed and it is easy to see where the beam passed through. The solid areas where it did not pass through are the bone structure, so the doctor can see where the bones are and whether they are broken. Broken bones should be set as soon as possible so the bone can begin healing in the correct position.

Getting An Accurate Diagnosis for a Fracture or Sprain

Highland Park Emergency Room both have diagnostic imaging technology and trained radiologists on staff. All of our physicians and nurses are emergency board certified, guaranteeing that they are ready for any and all emergencies. Visit these ERs if you suspect you may have a fracture so you can get the diagnosis you need, or contact us for more information today. 

Is it a Cramp or Something Worse?

close up of a torso of a person experiencing abdominal pain

Abdominal pain could be caused by cramps, and can sometimes be a minor inconvenience that goes away on its own. Sometimes, however, abdominal pain is a sign of a very serious condition like appendicitis.  Effectively self-diagnosing your abdominal pain is difficult because you may be unable to tell exactly what the cause of the discomfort is. Don’t take a chance on your pain going undiagnosed if it could be something serious. If you are in the Dallas area, visit Highland Park Emergency Room to get help.

Causes of Abdominal Pain

Common causes of abdominal pain that can require an ER visit include:

  • food poisoning
  • viral gastroenteritis, which is also called the flu
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • menstrual cramps
  • acid reflux
  • urinary tract infections
  • indigestion; gallstones
  • endometriosis
  • appendicitis Female having abdominal pain. Abdomen bloating concept.

You should look for other symptoms that could help  a doctor shed more light on what the cause of your abdominal pain is. You should also consider whether you may have eaten anything contaminated or been exposed to the flu.  You can share this information with a medical care provider when you seek a full diagnosis of your condition.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain

Deciding when to go to the doctor is a challenge, especially if you have limited or no insurance coverage and if you are worried about having a long wait when you seek medical help. Waiting too long to get help can be detrimental to your health though, so you want to get medical help in a timely manner. The good news is, care is available at  Highland Park Emergency Room for affordable prices. Treatment is provided by qualified professionals, and you should be able to get an accurate diagnosis and get on the road to recovery quickly. Contact us today for more information.