Health & Family - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • HEALTH

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:06 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:06:20 GMT
    When temperatures soar, you hear the warnings about staying hydrated and cool to prevent heat illnesses.  Just as people are at risk, so are our pets.      For the VanGossen family in Lake Charles, Boomer,
    When temperatures soar, you hear the warnings about staying hydrated and cool to prevent heat illnesses. KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to a local vet about the precautions to take for pets and signs of heat illness in animals. 

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:11 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:11:18 GMT
    When you are sick or injured the last thing you want to do when you get to an emergency room is wait for hours.  Now, there is a new fast track system that is streamlining the ER wait time.Inside the emergency
    When you are sick or injured the last thing you want to do when you get to an emergency room is wait for hours. Now, there is a new fast track system that is streamlining the ER wait time.

  • Friday, June 14 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:18:51 GMT
    18 people die each day waiting for transplants that cannot take place because of the shortage of donated organs.  A nationally publicized legal battle this week over a Pennsylvania girl's lung transplant
    18 people on the organ transplant waiting list die every day waiting on a life-saving organ. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out what's behind the extreme shortage of donated organs.

  • Thursday, June 13 2013 10:40 AM EDT2013-06-13 14:40:18 GMT
    In the five parish area, only a handful of hospitals have fully-functioning, 24-hour staffed cath labs.  When a person outside of the lake area has a heart attack, that situation truly becomes life-threatening
    A newly launched network at a Lake Charles hospital is changing the way cardiologists connect to rural cardiac patients.

  • Wednesday, June 12 2013 12:34 PM EDT2013-06-12 16:34:29 GMT
    If the summer season is an invitation to you to soak in the sun and work on your tan, chances are you have already done some major damage to your skin, even if you cannot see it yet.   Years of sun damage
    Years of sun damage can be reversed to find that youthful glow again. KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to a skin care consultant about the best ingredients to encourage new, healthy cell growth.

  • Tuesday, June 11 2013 11:37 AM EDT2013-06-11 15:37:46 GMT
    A new clinical trial is part of potentially groundbreaking research into autism.  The result may be a simple blood test that could help diagnose autism in children early.     In twenty cities across the
    A new clinical trial is part of potentially groundbreaking research into autism. KPLC's Britney Glaser reports on the closest participating site for families in Southwest Louisiana.

  • Tuesday, June 11 2013 7:41 AM EDT2013-06-11 11:41:42 GMT
    Ready to "Walk with the Mayor?" Throughout the month of June, each city/town in Calcasieu Parish will start a MOVEment in their community by planning a one-mile "Walk with the Mayor." Your help is
    Throughout the month of June, each city/town in Calcasieu Parish will start a MOVEment in their community by planning a one-mile "Walk with the Mayor."

  • Friday, June 7 2013 3:47 PM EDT2013-06-07 19:47:46 GMT
    Parents might feel like they are flying blindly when it comes to picking a good babysitter for their little one.  It can be a tough, stressful decision to decide who to pick.  That is why Safe Sitter classes
    Safe Sitter classes are offered in Southwest Louisiana to ensure that the kids tweens babysit are in good, safe hands.

  • Thursday, June 6 2013 11:32 AM EDT2013-06-06 15:32:10 GMT
    Injuries and illnesses for wild animals can be deadly in their natural environments, making them an easy target for predators.  Here is an inside look at a Lake Charles wildlife rehabilitation center where
    Injuries and illnesses for wild animals can be deadly in their natural environments. KPLC's Britney Glaser gives an inside look at a local wildlife rehabilitation center where the wild animals are nursed back to health.

  • Thursday, June 6 2013 11:18 AM EDT2013-06-06 15:18:04 GMT
    One of the most controversial bills this legislative session has passed out of the house and senate and could legislate the womb of surrogates in Louisiana.  It would change who can become a surrogate
    One of the most controversial bills this legislative session could legislate the womb of surrogates in Louisiana. KPLC's Britney Glaser looks into the personal connection of a legislator that penned the bill.

  • Tuesday, June 4 2013 11:16 AM EDT2013-06-04 15:16:47 GMT
    It has been two years since a Lake Charles woman's world came crashing down.  In a period of four months, her husband left her, she became homeless and her son was shot to death.      At that time, Freeda
    In a period of four months, Freeda Beloney's husband left her, she became homeless and her son was shot to death. Then, she weighed 415 pounds, but now she is transforming her body, mind and spirit.

  • Tuesday, June 4 2013 11:12 AM EDT2013-06-04 15:12:56 GMT
    Our condolences go out to the family of 20-year-old Ross Grimball of Patterson, who passed away at his home on May 19th. We introduced you to Ross in November 2012 in a "Faces of Rare Disease" story.
    Ross Grimball of Patterson bravely shared his story in a KPLC Faces of Rare Disease report in November 2012 about living with the terminal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ross passed away on May 19.

  • Friday, May 31 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-31 19:32:35 GMT
    A devastating injury stopped a local member of law enforcement in his tracks - forcing an initial surgery, months of physical therapy and then another surgery that finally brought him relief.   In the
    A devastating injury stopped a local member of law enforcement in his tracks - forcing an initial surgery, months of physical therapy and then another surgery that finally brought him relief.

  • Thursday, May 30 2013 3:12 PM EDT2013-05-30 19:12:21 GMT
    A strain of strep has side effects so shocking and extreme that it actually leads to tics, bizarre behavior and obsessive compulsive disorder.  It is called PANDAS and is the same diagnosis that the mother
    A strain of strep has side effects so shocking and extreme that it actually leads to tics, bizarre behavior and obsessive compulsive disorder.

  • Wednesday, May 29 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-29 22:44:47 GMT
    When you think of hospital volunteers, chances are you think of those that greet you at the door, answer phones and visit patients.  There are so many other unique opportunities for hospital volunteers
    KPLC's Britney Glaser takes you inside a medical museum of sorts at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital where volunteers keep a century old history alive.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:30 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:30:09 GMT
    When we think about tough jobs, working in the funeral industry is probably pretty close to the top of the list.  While working in death care can be emotionally and mentally draining, a Lake Charles man
    While working in death care can be emotionally and mentally draining, a Lake Charles man has found his calling: Cremating pets inside the region's only retail pet crematory.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:52:32 GMT
    End of life decisions are incredibly tough to make, yet every day, family members make arrangements for the death of a loved one.  But what about for a beloved pet?  I take you inside the region's only
    Six hundred family pets were cremated at the region's only retail pet crematory, Pet Angels in Lake Charles, last year. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out how the operations work and talks to a family that knows the pain of losing pets.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:29 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:29:15 GMT
    We are thrilled to share an update on a Sulphur teen with a rare disease that we introduced you to in March.Brother and sister, Sam and Sydni Dupre, have Friedreich's Ataxia.  This is a disease threatening
    Sam Dupre of Sulphur had the Lake Charles Civic Center crowd on its feet as he moved his wheelchair aside and walked across the stage to receive his diploma.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:27 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:27:52 GMT
    A four-year-old Bell City boy has just been diagnosed with a deadly disease that is causing him to go backwards in development.  Speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing and walking were once thoughtless
    Four-year-old Coy Fruge of Bell City has been diagnosed with a deadly disease that is causing him to go backwards in development. KPLC's Britney Glaser shares his story in this "Faces of Rare Disease."

  • Monday, May 13 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-05-13 14:36:02 GMT
    Summer staples can also be the season's most fashionable health hazards.  Flip flops, strappy sandals, wedges and the pedicures to go with them, make this a busy time of year for podiatrists.     A common
    Flip flops, strappy sandals, wedges and the pedicures to go with them, make this a busy time of year for podiatrists. KPLC's Britney Glaser gets the foot health 411 with Dr. Tyson Green.

  • Wednesday, May 8 2013 11:46 AM EDT2013-05-08 15:46:00 GMT
    There are certain career fields where the ability to see well is a must.  That includes law enforcement from police officers to sheriff's deputies and state troopers.  More officers are ditching their
    Certain career fields demand perfect or near perfect vision. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out what has more law enforcement officers ditching their glasses or contacts for refractive eye surgery.

  • Wednesday, May 8 2013 11:27 AM EDT2013-05-08 15:27:35 GMT
    No doubt you have heard of the "Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk," one of the biggest events every October in Lake Charles.  What you might not know, though, is that there is a foundation working the other
    You are probably familiar with the "Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk," one of the biggest events in Lake Charles every October. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out what other free resources are available through the group's foundation.

  • Thursday, May 2 2013 11:21 AM EDT2013-05-02 15:21:03 GMT
    Amy Hastings McGee says she has met death face to face many times, but is not willing to give up. She is desperately hoping to get her fifth lifesaving transplant - a fight against medical norms and a
    Amy Hastings McGee of Sulphur says she has met death face to face many times, but is not willing to give up. She is desperately hoping to get her fifth lifesaving transplant.

  • Wednesday, May 1 2013 11:03 AM EDT2013-05-01 15:03:10 GMT
    There are over 93,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list and the wait time for a deceased donor is typically five to ten years. When a Lake Charles toddler's only functioning kidney started
    When a Lake Charles toddler's only functioning kidney started to rapidly fail, his parents needed a miracle. KPLC's Britney Glaser shares the story of how Muricle Fuselier's family stepped in to save him.

  • Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:46 AM EDT2013-04-30 14:46:09 GMT
    Five-year-old Layton Stroud of Lake Charles died in February from complications with a brain tumor. But the twists and turns of this story are something you really have to hear and see to believe, as the
    Five-year-old Layton Stroud of Lake Charles died in February from complications with a brain tumor. KPLC's Britney Glaser shares the story of how this blind child left behind a legacy of sight for a stranger.

  • Thursday, April 25 2013 1:35 PM EDT2013-04-25 17:35:49 GMT
    Some McNeese State University Cowboys and Cowgirls are tightening up their belts after a "Biggest Loser" challenge that involved everyone from the president to faculty and students. Two of the top performers
    Belts are tightening at MSU, where a "Biggest Loser" challenge helped everyone from President Philip Williams to students shed some weight and create healthy habits. 

  • Wednesday, April 24 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-04-24 22:04:17 GMT
    There are more than 1,000 people in Southwest Louisiana infected with HIV. The crisis is that only half of them are receiving medical treatment. That means the virus can continue to spread and those
    "Dining Out for Life" is on Thursday, April 25. It is a chance to pull up to the table of great area restaurants while helping HIV/AIDS patients.

  • Wednesday, April 24 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-04-24 21:17:57 GMT
    A very controversial eye care bill has passed out of committee at the Louisiana legislature that would open up the scope of medical procedures optometrists can perform on patients. 7News takes a look
    A controversial eye care bill has passed out of committee at the Louisiana Legislature that would open up the scope of medical procedures optometrists can perform on patients. The bill on Wednesday, however, was pulled from the House floor by its author, Rep. Frank Hoffman, R-West Monroe, amid opposition.

  • Tuesday, April 23 2013 12:17 PM EDT2013-04-23 16:17:51 GMT
    Wrestling is one of the most weight-specific sports there is, pushing many athletes to extreme measures to fall under a certain weight class. Wrestlers have died because of this - dehydrated and weak.
    Wrestling is one of the most weight-specific sports, pushing many athletes to extreme measures to fall under a certain weight class. See how a local sports medicine program is working to prevent the roller coaster weigh-ins.

  • Friday, April 19 2013 11:22 AM EDT2013-04-19 15:22:03 GMT
    From walking to bending, grabbing and standing, we do not typically give much thought about our joint health until there is a problem. That problem is arthritis for millions of Americans and is the leading
    Arthritis is the leading cause of disability. In this Healthcast, KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out how to avoid joint replacement and nix the joint pain.

  • Tuesday, April 16 2013 11:45 AM EDT2013-04-16 15:45:34 GMT
    The first patient in Louisiana to receive the first of its kind drug-coated stent says she is able to walk again without pain. That revolutionary procedure was performed here at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
    The first patient in Louisiana to receive the first of its kind drug-coated stent says she is able to walk again without pain.

  • Thursday, April 11 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-04-11 15:13:02 GMT
    The average weight for a baby born in America is 7 1/2 pounds. That is why one baby in Lake Charles is turning heads! Callen DeVille was born on Tuesday morning, weighing in at 11 pounds 2 ounces and
    Callen DeVille was born Tuesday morning at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, tipping the scales at more than 11 pounds!

  • Wednesday, April 10 2013 8:55 AM EDT2013-04-10 12:55:11 GMT
    It all started 2,000 years ago: dragon boat races date back to the original games in Olympia in ancient Greece, and it is now the national sport of China. This captivating competition is making its
    Dragon boat races date back to the original games in Olympia in ancient Greece, and it is now the national sport of China. This captivating competition is coming to Lake Charles for the first of its kind fundraiser!

  • Tuesday, April 9 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-04-09 14:17:20 GMT
    When a Lake Charles artist was given the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, he feared that his days of sketching and drawing would be gone because of tremoring hands. What Marty Bee learned, though, was
    When a local artist was given the diagnosis of Parkinson's, he feared his days of drawing would be gone because of tremoring hands. What Marty Bee learned, though, was that his art could be his release.

  • Monday, April 8 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-04-08 17:36:09 GMT
    When a Lake Area artist was given the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, he feared that his days of drawing would be gone because of tremoring hands. What he learned, though, was that his art could be
    Check out Marty Bee's "Dopamine Chronicles," a humorous artistic perspective of his life with Parkinson's disease.

  • Friday, April 5 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-04-05 14:52:43 GMT
    Parkinson's disease can impact every aspect of a person's life as they battle the shaking, stiffness and difficulty moving. When medications are not enough or the side effects are too great, a deep brain
    When medications are not enough to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease or the side effects are too great, a deep brain stimulator can get the person back to comfortable living.

  • Thursday, April 4 2013 2:26 PM EDT2013-04-04 18:26:02 GMT
    The Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival is being held April 12-14th with proceeds benefiting programs for local Parkinson's disease patients. Each year, the annual Crawfish Fest exceeds festival
    The Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival is being held April 12-14th with proceeds benefiting programs for local Parkinson's disease patients. Each year, the annual Crawfish Fest exceeds festival

  • Thursday, April 4 2013 12:42 PM EDT2013-04-04 16:42:01 GMT
    Since Hurricane Ike's floodwaters in 2008, the community of Grand Lake in Cameron Parish has been without a basic medical clinic. Now, a team of Lake Charles physicians is bringing back the healthcare
    Since Hurricane Ike's floodwaters in 2008, Grand Lake has been without a basic medical clinic. Now, a team of Lake Charles physicians is bringing back the healthcare this community needs.

  • Thursday, April 4 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-04-04 16:24:07 GMT
    The American Heart Association (AHA), CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and the City of Lake Charles jointly announced the opening of the first AHA walking path in Lake Charles on Wednesday. The walking
    The American Heart Association (AHA), CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and the City of Lake Charles jointly announced the opening of the first AHA walking path in Lake Charles on Wednesday.

  • Tuesday, April 2 2013 12:45 PM EDT2013-04-02 16:45:16 GMT
    There are alarming new numbers about the growing number of children with autism: now 1 in 88 and even higher for boys at 1 in 54. We go inside a local autism support group to show that an autism diagnosis
    KPLC's Britney Glaser takes you inside a local autism support group to show that an autism diagnosis does not mean that life is put on hold and that dreams can still be reached.

  • Tuesday, April 2 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-04-02 13:51:09 GMT
    In the fast-paced lives we lead, family dinner time might be a thing of the past for you as more people opt for fast food options. That is one reason obesity rates are soaring, but there is a new program
    There is a new program to help change obesity in Southwest Louisiana by offering free healthy cooking classes and one-on-one help with a registered dietitian. KPLC's Britney Glaser reports.

  • Tuesday, April 2 2013 8:32 AM EDT2013-04-02 12:32:15 GMT
    Courtesy: Blue Cross Blue Shield Dare to Be Healthy Initiative The first step in leading a healthier lifestyle is learning how to prepare and eat healthier foods right at home! Get Your Kitchen in Shape
    There are eight free healthy cooking classes for families in Southwest Louisiana starting in April.  Click on the story for sign-up information.

  • Thursday, March 28 2013 11:00 AM EDT2013-03-28 15:00:08 GMT
    Easter Sunday typically has folks dressed to the nines for church services, sporting new duds, purchased for that day. But for many families, tight budgets might keep them from having that shopping opportunity
    Easter Sunday typically has folks dressed to the nines for church services, sporting new duds, purchased for that day. But for many families, tight budgets might keep them from having that shopping opportunity.

  • Thursday, March 28 2013 10:58 AM EDT2013-03-28 14:58:36 GMT
    If you feel like you are spending more hours at work, heed this warning: you could be doubling your risk of heart disease. No doubt you have heard the numbers before - it can be like a sad record on
    Two new walking paths will be unveiled at Drew Park in Lake Charles on Wednesday, April 3, as part of National Walking Day. Find out how a 30 minute walk can change your heart health.

  • Wednesday, March 27 2013 11:47 AM EDT2013-03-27 15:47:15 GMT
    Do you drink diet sodas, bake with Splenda, put Sweet'N Low in your coffee or go sugar-free with your sweets? It is a multi-billion dollar industry and nearly every restaurant has a tri-colored tray with
    While sugar substitutes save the calories, are they safe? KPLC's Britney Glaser put that question was put to the test in this Healthcast.

  • Wednesday, March 27 2013 11:45 AM EDT2013-03-27 15:45:45 GMT
    A brother and sister duo in Sulphur is speaking out about a disease threatening their lives - a disease with no cure and no medication to treat it. Childhood pictures of Sam and Sydni Dupre paint a picture
    A brother and sister duo in Sulphur is speaking out about a rare disease threatening their lives. KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to Sam and Sydni Dupre about Friedreich's Ataxia.

  • Thursday, March 21 2013 9:00 AM EDT2013-03-21 13:00:57 GMT
    Hypothermia occurs when a person's body temperature drops below 95 degrees. It is a condition that typically requires immediate medical attention to live, so you might be surprised to learn that it is
    Therapeutic hypothermia is being intentionally used in local hospitals to treat cardiac patients from brain tissue damage.

  • Tuesday, March 19 2013 11:05 AM EDT2013-03-19 15:05:40 GMT
    When a person is diagnosed with cancer, a strong support system is crucial to enduring the fight against the disease. Four-legged friends are giving that unconditional love, companionship and encouragement
    Four-legged friends are giving that unconditional love, companionship and encouragement to cancer patients that need it the most.

  • Friday, March 15 2013 10:29 AM EDT2013-03-15 14:29:52 GMT
    Southwest Louisiana is in bloom, spreading allergens into the air and tormenting those with allergies. So how do you know when it is time to undergo allergy testing? Plus, what medicines are the best
    The pollen count in Southwest Louisiana is extremely high, tormenting those with allergies. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out when it's time to undergo allergy testing.

  • Thursday, March 14 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-03-14 12:58:58 GMT
    Whether you are a fashionista, athlete, waitress or industry worker, foot pain can be a big problem for anyone. We look at the most common causes of foot pain and how to treat it. Every day, our feet
    Whether you are a fashionista, athlete, waitress or industry worker, foot pain can be a big problem for anyone.

  • Wednesday, March 13 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-03-13 22:29:06 GMT
    The following is a news release from Lake Charles Memorial Hospital: History was made at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital on the morning of Wednesday, March 13. Dr. J. King White, a cardiologist with the
    History was made at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital on the morning of Wednesday, March 13. Dr. J. King White, a cardiologist with the Heart & Vascular Center, a part of the Memorial Medical Group became the first doctor in Louisiana to implant the first drug coated peripheral artery stent.

  • Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:37 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:37:40 GMT
    7News wants to send out condolences to the family of Khristen Abshire, a young lady we first introduced you to in a Healthcast in 2008. Abshire is originally from Lake Charles and moved with her family
    Khristen Abshire passed away at her home after a brave fight against a rare disorder known as "mitochondrial disease."

  • Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:34 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:34:53 GMT
    Early detection of lung cancer is incredibly difficult because most patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed. We talk to one lung cancer survivor about what brought him
    KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to one lung cancer survivor about what brought him to the emergency room where an early diagnosis potentially saved his life.

  • Tuesday, March 12 2013 9:14 AM EDT2013-03-12 13:14:18 GMT
    When it comes to race training, "No pain, No gain" is a common motto for hard-core runners. But when the pain is more than some soreness or muscle stiffness, it is time to stop. Crutches were never a
    When it comes to race training, "No pain, No gain" is a common motto for hard-core runners. But when the pain is more than some soreness or muscle stiffness, it is time to stop.

  • Monday, March 11 2013 10:13 AM EDT2013-03-11 14:13:41 GMT
    When is the last time you could vividly remember a dream? How about just waking up feeling rested? For one in three working Americans, a good night's sleep is truly a dream and the sleep debt they are
    For one in three working Americans, a good night's sleep is truly a dream and the sleep debt they are building up is dangerously unhealthy.

  • Thursday, March 7 2013 11:39 AM EST2013-03-07 16:39:51 GMT
    It has been 75 years since President Franklin Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes. His efforts led to a cure for polio, an ailment he personally had, and medical breakthroughs that could not have been
    It has been 75 years since President Franklin Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes. KPLC's Britney Glaser looks at the March of Dimes' impact today.

  • Wednesday, March 6 2013 1:49 PM EST2013-03-06 18:49:36 GMT
    When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term
    When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term

  • Wednesday, March 6 2013 12:19 PM EST2013-03-06 17:19:42 GMT
    Lung cancer is typically linked to smokers, but it is also common in those that have never picked up a cigarette. 7News talks to one Lake Charles woman in the fight for her life against the number one
    Lung cancer is typically linked to smokers, but it is also common in those that have never picked up a cigarette. One Lake Charles woman talks about the fight of her life against the number one cancer killer.

  • Tuesday, March 5 2013 12:31 PM EST2013-03-05 17:31:26 GMT
    Join us for the 5th Annual Free to Breathe Lake Charles Lung Cancer 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk to raise awareness and support in the movement to defeat lung cancer. All proceeds will benefit the Louisiana Lung
    Join us for the 5th Annual Free to Breathe Lake Charles Lung Cancer 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk to raise awareness and support in the movement to defeat lung cancer.

  • Friday, March 1 2013 8:47 AM EST2013-03-01 13:47:00 GMT
    Just about the time a youngster's first teeth start coming in, they are also learning to walk. That can set them up for dental injuries, that only increase as they grow older and become more active. It
    Just about the time a youngster's first teeth start coming in, they are also learning to walk. That can set them up for dental injuries, that only increase as they grow older and become more active.

  • Thursday, February 28 2013 10:46 AM EST2013-02-28 15:46:47 GMT
    Since prehistoric times, plants and their extracts have been used for their healing properties. In the plant rich state of Louisiana, there are hundreds of native plants that could hold the key to unlocking
    In the plant rich state of Louisiana, there are hundreds of native plants that could hold the key to unlocking life-saving medication, but they have not been researched until now. KPLC's Britney Glaser takes you inside the natural plants lab at MSU.

  • Wednesday, February 27 2013 4:44 PM EST2013-02-27 21:44:19 GMT
    In the bayous of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, researchers have discovered a potential medicinal breakthrough from alligators. Alligator blood is showing to be a potent antibiotic in lab testing
    In our area bayous, MSU researchers have discovered a potential medicinal breakthrough from alligators. KPLC's Britney Glaser explains how alligator blood is showing to be a potent antibiotic.

  • Tuesday, February 26 2013 11:03 AM EST2013-02-26 16:03:20 GMT
    Talk about keeping it in the family: two Lake Charles brothers are proving the strength of a family bond, working together as a specialized surgical team. 7News goes inside a surgical suite at CHRISTUS
    Talk about keeping it in the family: two Lake Charles brothers are proving the strength of a family bond, working together as a specialized surgical team.

  • Friday, February 22 2013 12:26 PM EST2013-02-22 17:26:54 GMT
    One in every four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. Researchers in obstetrics, gynecology and genetics are constantly working to figure out what is to blame, but could swine experts have the answer?
    KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to local swine researchers about the link between pig pregnancies and human reproductive medicine.

  • Thursday, February 21 2013 10:59 AM EST2013-02-21 15:59:11 GMT
    Medical research with animals has saved lives, from a polio vaccine with monkeys to skin grafts with pigs and insulin from dogs. In part one of this special Healthcast series, 7News looks into the transfer
    Researchers and students at McNeese State University have proven that aromatherapy can be effectively used to calm stressed horses without side effects. KPLC's Britney Glaser reports from the MSU farm where the research projects are underway.

  • Wednesday, February 20 2013 10:31 AM EST2013-02-20 15:31:29 GMT
    It is time to shape up Southwest Louisiana! That is the goal of the Dare to be Healthy Program, a three year grant awarded to Calcasieu Parish from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and
    A pilot weight loss program with the Dare to be Healthy Initiative is already showing great success! KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to ladies with the K.I.S.S. Project (Keep It Simple Sister) in Westlake.

  • Tuesday, February 19 2013 8:42 AM EST2013-02-19 13:42:56 GMT
    As many as eight in ten women deal with urinary incontinence at some point in their lives, the embarrassing condition of losing bladder control. A Bridge City, Texas woman opens up about the life-altering
    As many as eight in ten women deal with urinary incontinence at some point in their lives, the embarrassing condition of losing bladder control. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out how it's treated in this Healthcast.

  • Thursday, February 14 2013 11:10 AM EST2013-02-14 16:10:48 GMT
    A former Calcasieu Parish teacher has sold all of her possessions to fund a ministry saving prostitutes in Thailand, a place she now considers home. The young prostitutes working in the red light district
    A former Calcasieu Parish teacher has sold all of her possessions to fund a ministry saving prostitutes in Thailand. The young prostitutes working in the red light district are exposed to serious health problems, including HIV, every day. 

  • Wednesday, February 13 2013 2:20 PM EST2013-02-13 19:20:04 GMT
    A former Calcasieu Parish teacher has sold all of her possessions to fund a ministry saving prostitutes in Pattaya, Thailand, known as the sex capital of the world. Monica Miller now considers Pattaya
    A former Calcasieu Parish teacher has sold all of her possessions to fund a ministry saving prostitutes in Pattaya, Thailand, known as the sex capital of the world.

  • Wednesday, February 13 2013 11:03 AM EST2013-02-13 16:03:16 GMT
    The life of a middle schooler typically centers around school, friends and extra-curricular activities. For one Sulphur 7th grader at W.W. Lewis Middle School, though, that is mixed in with a life-threatening
    KPLC's Britney Glaser introduces you to Ian Chesson, a 7th grade student at W.W. Lewis Middle School in Sulphur. He is working to raise money for a cure to diabetes.

  • Tuesday, February 12 2013 10:30 AM EST2013-02-12 15:30:34 GMT
    Can you imagine what your teeth would look or feel like if you never brushed them? Unfortunately, that is the case for most dogs and cats, eventually developing painful dental disease. Eight-year-old
    Can you imagine what your teeth would look or feel like if you never brushed them?  Unfortunately, that is the case for most dogs and cats, eventually developing painful dental disease.

  • Friday, February 8 2013 10:49 AM EST2013-02-08 15:49:35 GMT
    When a young woman in Lake Charles had problems getting pregnant, the results from a blood test were not what she expected. Find out the effects of thyroid disease and how it can be managed over time.
    The thyroid regulates several important bodily functions, including metabolism. KPLC's Britney Glaser looks into the signs and symptoms or hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

  • Wednesday, February 6 2013 9:14 AM EST2013-02-06 14:14:19 GMT
    Females are four times more likely to tear their ACL, a key ligament in the knee, compared to their male counterparts. It is a very common and devastating injury for high school athletes, forced to go
    All female soccer and basketball players in Calcasieu and Beauregard Parish high schools are undergoing ACL injury screenings to minimize their risks for the common tears.

  • Tuesday, February 5 2013 12:19 PM EST2013-02-05 17:19:27 GMT
    CNN NEWSOURCE (HOUSTON) - What would you say to a birth control pill for men? Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine say the pill would have no side effects. Bill Bandiga has been married for 25 years.
    What would you say to a birth control pill for men? Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine say the pill would have no side effects.

  • Tuesday, February 5 2013 12:17 PM EST2013-02-05 17:17:11 GMT
    A chance encounter between a sick child and an Acadian Ambulance medic creates an unexpected ripple effect in a south Louisiana community. KPLC 7News shares the story of "Captain Crayola." When you
    A chance encounter between a sick child and an Acadian Ambulance medic creates an unexpected ripple effect in a south Louisiana community. KPLC's Britney Glaser shares the story of "Captain Crayola."

  • Tuesday, February 5 2013 12:14 PM EST2013-02-05 17:14:13 GMT
    There are lots of myths floating around about exercising during pregnancy. So is it safe for a mom-to-be to run, walk, swim and bike? KPLC 7News speaks with a local OB/GYN to get the answer. A strong
    There are lots of myths floating around about exercising during pregnancy. So is it safe for a mom-to-be to run, walk, swim and bike? KPLC's Britney Glaser speaks with a local OB/GYN to get the answer.

  • Thursday, January 31 2013 7:11 PM EST2013-02-01 00:11:01 GMT
    Louisiana is the second fattest state in the country (first is Mississippi), weighing in with one in three adults falling into the obese category. Those extra numbers on the scale also average out to a
    KPLC's Britney Glaser gets the details on a free weight management program enrolling patients through the Calcasieu Community Clinic.

  • Wednesday, January 30 2013 11:11 AM EST2013-01-30 16:11:09 GMT
    You know the saying "It takes a village to raise a child." One local running group is taking it another step, living out the message that it takes a community to help a friend in need. 7News explains
    KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out how a group of local runners decided to put their feet to work raising money for a friend in her cancer fight.

  • Tuesday, January 29 2013 1:17 PM EST2013-01-29 18:17:28 GMT
    KPLC 7News will have a special interview with Erin Davison on her cancer journey and what it means to her to have a local group helping her with medical bills and support. Here's the information on the
    KPLC 7News will have a special interview with Erin Davison on her cancer journey and what it means to her to have a local group helping her with medical bills and support.  A link to registration information is inside this story.

  • Friday, January 25 2013 9:03 AM EST2013-01-25 14:03:09 GMT
    Chances are you have heard the risk factors for coronary artery disease before - high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history and inactivity. But sometimes, it forms in patients
    Chances are you have heard the risk factors for coronary artery disease before - high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history and inactivity. But sometimes, it forms in patients not meeting any of that criteria.

  • Thursday, January 24 2013 11:57 AM EST2013-01-24 16:57:06 GMT
    The days and months following a heart attack or other major heart event can be scary and confusing for a patient once back at home. 7News goes inside a local cardiac rehab program to see how exercise and
    KPLC's Britney Glaser goes inside a local cardiac rehab program to see how exercise and education can reduce the risk for a future heart problem by 50 percent.

  • Wednesday, January 23 2013 12:56 PM EST2013-01-23 17:56:50 GMT
    When we look at something, the visual interpretation is received through the eyes, but interpreted by the brain. Find out how new diagnostic technology in Southwest Louisiana is tracking the eye-to-brain
    KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out how new diagnostic technology in Southwest Louisiana is tracking the eye-to-brain communication signal and how it could save your vision.

  • Tuesday, January 22 2013 8:33 AM EST2013-01-22 13:33:32 GMT
    Some of the state's poorest people in their final days of life are about to face a big cut in health coverage. Starting February 1st, Medicaid will no longer pay for hospice care in Louisiana. 7News
    Starting February 1st, Medicaid will no longer pay for hospice care in Louisiana.  7News looks into what is behind the falling budget axe and what it means to terminally ill patients.

  • Friday, January 18 2013 9:09 AM EST2013-01-18 14:09:15 GMT
    There is very little in life quite as scary as a cancer diagnosis. Instantly, the "what ifs" "what now" and "what next" swirl through your mind and it can be easy to get lost inside that fear. There
    There is a new program in the Southwest Louisiana navigating through the questions many women have after a breast cancer diagnosis. 

  • Thursday, January 17 2013 8:30 AM EST2013-01-17 13:30:26 GMT
    We all have it on occasion, especially in south Louisiana where spicy foods run rampant! Heartburn oftentimes can be treated with at home medications and cutting out certain foods. 7News finds out why
    Heartburn oftentimes can be treated with at home medications and cutting out certain foods. 7News finds out why you should take notice of chronic heartburn and how it is linked to esophageal cancer.

  • Wednesday, January 16 2013 11:49 AM EST2013-01-16 16:49:49 GMT
    We have all cut, scraped or burned our skin before. Most wounds can heal on their own, but if three days pass with no improvement, your limbs could be in limbo. John Courville still cannot believe that
    We have all cut, scraped or burned our skin before. Most wounds can heal on their own, but if three days pass with no improvement, your limbs could be in limbo.

  • Tuesday, January 15 2013 8:27 AM EST2013-01-15 13:27:12 GMT
    Barbe High School's DeSean Smith is one of the most high profile football players in the state and in the top 100 recruits across the country. I spoke with the senior tight end about a surgery he had to
    Barbe High School's DeSean Smith is one of the most high profile football players in the state and in the top 100 recruits across the country. Find out about a surgery he had to undergo to allow him to keep catching the ball.

  • Friday, January 11 2013 11:13 AM EST2013-01-11 16:13:56 GMT
    From flu shots to antibiotics, the medication we rely on when we are sick has made its way to pharmacies because of successful clinical testing. But there is a grossly under-represented group participating
    African-Americans are underrepresented in clinical research trials, which makes it incredibly difficult for researchers to know if a medication works across ethnic groups.  Find out why local African-Americans are being urged to enroll.

  • Thursday, January 10 2013 10:12 AM EST2013-01-10 15:12:12 GMT
    30 minutes: that is the length of time on a lunch break or catching up on a TV show. It is also all the time that is needed for a potentially life-saving look inside your body for cancerous polyps, but
    Learn why early detection is the only way to change grim statistics for colon cancer.

  • Wednesday, January 9 2013 12:04 PM EST2013-01-09 17:04:49 GMT
    You have probably heard the saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Find out why that statement is the foundation for preventive health care and what you can do to make sure you are
    You have probably heard the saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  Find out why that statement is the foundation for preventive health care.

  • Monday, January 7 2013 2:03 PM EST2013-01-07 19:03:21 GMT
    Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services — which can help you avoid illness and improve your health — at no additional cost to you. Check
    Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services — which can help you avoid illness and improve your health — at no additional cost to you.

  • Monday, January 7 2013 9:18 AM EST2013-01-07 14:18:17 GMT
    CNN NEWSOURCE - Whether you're looking to shed a few post-holiday pounds or need some motivation with a New Year's resolution, some smartphone apps aim to help with your diet and fitness goals. After
    Whether you're looking to shed a few post-holiday pounds or need some motivation with a New Year's resolution, some smartphone apps aim to help with your diet and fitness goals.

  • Friday, January 4 2013 9:58 AM EST2013-01-04 14:58:36 GMT
    Roller coaster hormones, mixed with sleep deprivation create a condition known to many women as "momnesia" or "baby brain." But is it fact or fiction? KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out in this Healthcast. There
    Roller coaster hormones, mixed with sleep deprivation create a condition known to many women as "momnesia."  KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out if it's fact or fiction.

  • Friday, December 28 2012 10:42 AM EST2012-12-28 15:42:38 GMT
    It is known as "Rich Man's Disease," and has plagued some of the greatest men in human history: Christopher Columbus, Benjamin Franklin and Teddy Roosevelt. Gout was once associated with overconsumption
    Gout was once associated with overconsumption of food and drink. But those affected and the cause of the painful condition have both changed.

  • Thursday, December 27 2012 10:53 AM EST2012-12-27 15:53:14 GMT
    If holiday indulging has you reaching for the fat jeans in your closet, you might already be planning a weight-related New Year's resolution. It tops the list each year, but most people only last three
    If holiday indulging has you reaching for the fat jeans in your closet, you might already be planning a weight-related New Year's resolution.  KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out the tips to creating a successful weight dropping plan.

  • Monday, December 17 2012 11:13 AM EST2012-12-17 16:13:28 GMT
    You have probably heard the phrase "baby-proofing your home" before, but have you ever thought about making sure your home is also safe for elderly friends and family? 7News goes on a home tour to find
    You have probably heard the phrase "baby-proofing your home" before, but have you ever thought about making sure your home is also safe for elderly friends and family?

  • Friday, December 14 2012 2:32 PM EST2012-12-14 19:32:24 GMT
    This Christmas season marks the joyful start to a new life back home in Lake Charles that one couple could have never imagined. After years of struggling to get pregnant, Bruce and Sarah Plauche welcomed
    After years of struggling to get pregnant, Bruce and Sarah Plauche welcomed quintuplets into the world on September 7th, 2012. They opened up their home to show us how the family of seven is now doing!

  • Thursday, December 13 2012 7:04 PM EST2012-12-14 00:04:03 GMT
    Bruce and Sarah Plauche' of Lake Charles welcomed quintuplets into the world on September 7th at Texas Children's Hospital. The family was finally released from the hospital last week and is back home,
    Find out how you can help the Plauche' family of Lake Charles, the parents of quintuplets.

  • Thursday, December 13 2012 8:44 AM EST2012-12-13 13:44:02 GMT
    The holiday season is a time that many of us graze around-the-clock on Christmas sweets, baked treats and the fixins' of a full-out meal. That can unfortunately take our merriment away if the food is not
    The holiday season is a time of gleeful grazing, but that can unfortunately take our merriment away if the food is not prepared or served properly.

  • Wednesday, December 12 2012 1:28 PM EST2012-12-12 18:28:47 GMT
    There is a different type of medicine helping to heal local patients, one that you might not expect to see within the walls of a hospital. There is a pastoral care team that says its life calling is to
    There is a pastoral care team that says its life calling is to minister to the sick and hurting in the hospital. KPLC's Britney Glaser follows the minister and priest on the job at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

  • Tuesday, December 11 2012 11:06 AM EST2012-12-11 16:06:53 GMT
    The retina is the part of the eye that controls how we see the world around us. It also serves another role, by allowing eye doctors to look inside of it like never before, detecting underlying health
    The retina controls how we see the world around us.  Optometrist Robert Janot explains how a laser retinal scan is now being used locally to see what is going on beyond the eye - even identifying high blood pressure and diabetes.

  • Friday, December 7 2012 12:50 PM EST2012-12-07 17:50:01 GMT
    NEW ORLEANS - The fallout continues for a convenience store that placed a boot on a working ambulance while EMT's with New Orleans EMS were inside trying to save a man's life. The man who booted the ambulance
    The fallout continues for a convenience store that placed a boot on a working ambulance while EMT's with New Orleans EMS were inside trying to save a man's life.

  • Friday, December 7 2012 11:00 AM EST2012-12-07 16:00:24 GMT
    Heavy holiday eating might have you looking for a reason to incorporate an early fitness-driven New Year's resolution. 7News finds out why more people are diving into water aerobics. The aquatic fitness
    If heavy holiday eating has you looking for an early fitness-driven New Year's resolution, you might want to dive into water aerobics!

  • Thursday, December 6 2012 9:09 AM EST2012-12-06 14:09:30 GMT
    The Duchess of Cambridge left a London hospital Thursday after being treated for acute morning sickness related to her pregnancy. It is called "hyperemesis gravidarum" and affects about one in every 300
    One mom opens up about her experience with "hyperemesis gravidarum," the same form of acute morning sickness that hospitalized Kate Middleton.

  • Tuesday, December 4 2012 7:05 AM EST2012-12-04 12:05:55 GMT
    There is a very ambitious goal by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to double the number of survivors by the year 2020. Pancreatic cancer kills 94 percent of those diagnosed within five years, but
    Pancreatic cancer kills 94 percent of those diagnosed within five years, but there is a Carlyss man with a strong will to live in the lucky six percent.

  • Friday, November 30 2012 6:46 AM EST2012-11-30 11:46:43 GMT
    If you could know that you are five or ten years away from having a heart attack, wouldn't you want that information? That is the premise of a calcium score that can identify your risk, even with no signs
    If you could know that you are five or ten years away from having a heart attack, wouldn't you want that information? That is the premise of a calcium score that can identify your risk, even with no signs or symptoms.

  • Thursday, November 29 2012 12:09 PM EST2012-11-29 17:09:27 GMT
    Kidney stones are one of the most painful conditions to stop a person in his or her tracks and send them to the emergency room begging for relief. That is what happened to one man, who actually worked
    Kidney stones are one of the most painful conditions a person can have. KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out who is more likely to have them form and what the treatment measures entail.

  • Wednesday, November 28 2012 6:49 AM EST2012-11-28 11:49:48 GMT
    If the sounds of the dental office make you cringe or the thought of pain makes you queasy, sedation dentistry might be just what you are looking for. In this Healthcast, find out how it works and why
    If the sounds of the dental office make you cringe or the thought of pain makes you queasy, sedation dentistry might be a good fit for you.

  • Thursday, November 22 2012 7:42 AM EST2012-11-22 12:42:43 GMT
    A one-year-old Merryville girl is living with a disorder that has caused many people to do a double-take, looking at her fused hands, feet and concave mid face. Her name is Jennifer Doyle and in this "Faces
    A one-year-old Merryville girl has a condition that affects 1 in 200,000 people.  In this Faces of Rare Disease, KPLC's Britney Glaser has Jennifer Doyle's story of life with Apert's syndrome.

  • Wednesday, November 21 2012 7:55 AM EST2012-11-21 12:55:46 GMT
    There is a deadly and fast-moving form of muscular dystrophy that affects one in every 3,600 male infants. The outlook is grim, with most young men never reaching the age of 25. In this "Faces of Rare
    In this Faces of Rare Disease story, KPLC's Britney Glaser talks to 19-year-old Ross Grimball who is living with the terminal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

  • Tuesday, November 20 2012 8:49 AM EST2012-11-20 13:49:13 GMT
    There is a condition so rare, it is believed only 250 people in the entire world have it. Two children in Louisiana have "Alfi's Syndrome," including a three-year-old boy in Iowa. In this Faces of Rare
    Only 250 people in the world have been diagnosed with a rare disorder called "Alfi's Syndrome." KPLC's Britney Glaser introduces you to three-year-old Landon Nazworth of Iowa, one of only two people in Louisiana with the condition.

  • Friday, November 16 2012 9:07 AM EST2012-11-16 14:07:14 GMT
    Okay, I have a confession! It has been three years since I have been brave enough to get the flu shot! Hypocritical, I know, as health reporter...my fear, though, is that dreadful needle. But that prick
    After three years of avoiding the flu shot because of a needle fear, KPLC's Britney Glaser agreed to roll up her sleeve on camera.

  • Thursday, November 15 2012 11:13 AM EST2012-11-15 16:13:45 GMT
    There is a startling statistic nationwide that has made waves in the genetic community: 90 percent of women who find out they are carrying a fetus with Down syndrome choose to terminate the pregnancy.
    90 percent of women who find out they are carrying a fetus with Down syndrome choose to terminate the pregnancy.  KPLC's Britney Glaser looks into these numbers and talks to local families affected by the diagnosis.

  • Thursday, November 15 2012 11:10 AM EST2012-11-15 16:10:40 GMT
    There is a breakthrough in reproductive technology, allowing for the screening of embryos before being transferred into a woman's uterus. It looks for diseases ranging from cystic fibrosis to Down syndrome.
    In this special report, KPLC's Britney Glaser takes you inside an embryo lab to see how genetic screenings are detecting diseases before being transferred into a woman.

  • Thursday, November 15 2012 11:09 AM EST2012-11-15 16:09:46 GMT
    If you could know whether your unborn child was going to be born with a genetic defect, would you want that information? That is the basis of a quad test, offered to every pregnant woman, the first in
    If you could know whether your unborn child was going to be born with a genetic defect, would you want that information? In this special report, KPLC's Britney Glaser looks into how genetic testing works and the conflict between nature and science.

  • Friday, November 9 2012 12:04 PM EST2012-11-09 17:04:20 GMT
    The physical demands of war take a toll on servicemen and women, including those in the United States Army at Fort Polk. In this Healthcast, 7News talk to one soldier who dealt with excruciating hip pain
    While stationed in Afghanistan, SSgt. Michael Weston began feeling intense hip pain.  Find out how this Ft. Polk soldier found relief.

  • Thursday, November 8 2012 8:47 AM EST2012-11-08 13:47:21 GMT
    November is diabetes awareness month, a time to shine a light on a disease that has tripled in Americans over the past 30 years. We take you inside the Calcasieu Community Clinic in Lake Charles to find
    KPLC's Britney Glaser takes you inside the Calcasieu Community Clinic in Lake Charles to find out about its free diabetes management program.

  • Wednesday, November 7 2012 12:23 PM EST2012-11-07 17:23:07 GMT
    Calcasieu Community Clinic is a not-for-profit, free health care clinic located at McNeese State University's Juliet Hardtner Hall College of Nursing. The clinic provides free ambulatory medical care and
    The Calcasieu Community Clinic has expanded its coverage to serve people that are within 250% of the federal poverty guidelines.

  • Tuesday, November 6 2012 9:05 AM EST2012-11-06 14:05:48 GMT
    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH/CNN) - Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby is suing the federal government over the Affordable Care Act mandate. Chain founder David Green says his Christian-based company should not
    Chain founder David Green says his Christian-based company should not have to pay for emergency contraceptives like the so called morning-after pill.

  • Thursday, November 1 2012 11:06 AM EDT2012-11-01 15:06:32 GMT
    When it comes to starting a new work-out routine or healthy eating plan, the first day is the most important to get it going. If you are needing a little motivation, there is an important day coming up
    If you are needing a little healthy eating motivation, there is an important day coming up to give you an opportunity to make some lifestyle changes.

  • Wednesday, October 31 2012 1:13 PM EDT2012-10-31 17:13:55 GMT
    National Healthy Eating Day is Wednesday, November 7th. If you are looking healthy meal planning ideas, click here for recipes from CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.
    National Healthy Eating Day is Wednesday, November 7th and CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital has shared some healthy recipes with us to help make meal planning easier.

  • Wednesday, October 31 2012 1:08 PM EDT2012-10-31 17:08:25 GMT
    This year alone, 6,500 adults in Louisiana will die because of smoking-related diseases or second-hand smoke exposure. Women & Children's Hospital in Lake Charles is taking some dramatic steps to fight
    Women & Children's Hospital in Lake Charles is taking some dramatic steps to fight the tobacco epidemic with the help of a $150,000 grant.

  • Friday, October 26 2012 9:18 AM EDT2012-10-26 13:18:03 GMT
    A 24th person died this week as a result of the meningitis outbreak linked to tainted steroid injections issued by the New England Compounding Center. But are we at risk in Louisiana, as more states report
    A 24th person died this week as a result of the meningitis outbreak linked to tainted steroid injections. But are we at risk in Louisiana, as more states report sickened people this week?

  • Thursday, October 25 2012 12:20 PM EDT2012-10-25 16:20:14 GMT
    The New England Compounding Center, at the center of the fungal meningitis outbreak involving tainted steroid injections, has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of its medications. Click here for a
    The New England Compounding Center, at the center of the fungal meningitis outbreak involving tainted steroid injections, has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of its medications.

  • Wednesday, October 24 2012 8:51 AM EDT2012-10-24 12:51:33 GMT
    A shoulder injury can be devastating to your comfort and mobility. If left untreated, it could become too painful to even move your arm, but there is relief! A former McNeese State University baseball
    Former MSU baseball coach and current voice of the Cowboys football team, Johnny Suydam, took a 14 foot fall from his workshop in August that left him with a shoulder injury.  See how surgery has him going again.

  • Tuesday, October 23 2012 8:19 AM EDT2012-10-23 12:19:55 GMT
    In a hospital work-day, nurses typically each lift a total of 1.8 tons, equivalent to a small car. This heavy lifting to move patients can cause injuries to the nurses, clinical staff and patients. We
    Lifting and moving patients at hospitals can cause injuries to the clinical staff and patients.  KPLC's Britney Glaser looks into a solution that rolls out today at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

  • Thursday, October 18 2012 10:49 AM EDT2012-10-18 14:49:19 GMT
    When a Southeast Texas teen was in the fight of her life against an aggressive leukemia, people from all around the world began sending her video games to play in the hospital bed. That special girl, Victoria
    Victoria Enmon passed away from leukemia in 2008, but her legacy lives on through a fundraiser connecting gamers with sick children.

  • Wednesday, October 17 2012 9:04 AM EDT2012-10-17 13:04:31 GMT
    If you think that life and socialization slows down after age 50, then you have not met any of the 500 people in a group called "Senior Circle." 7News met with this group, where members say their lives
    If you think that life and socialization slows down after age 50, then you have not met any of the 500 people in "Senior Circle."  KPLC's Britney Glaser finds out what this active group does each day.

  • Tuesday, October 16 2012 9:15 AM EDT2012-10-16 13:15:18 GMT
    With a simple switch "on," people with life-altering hearing loss can hear the world around them thanks to a bone conduction implant. 7News spoke with the first local recipient of this hearing implant
    7News spoke with the first local recipient of a bone anchored hearing implant that has allowed him to fully hear the world around him.

  • Friday, October 12 2012 2:53 PM EDT2012-10-12 18:53:20 GMT
    It is the diagnosis that can shake a woman to her core and challenge every aspect of daily living. One in eight women will develop breast cancer and enter the fight of her life. We spoke with Kerry Andersen,
    7News spoke with Kerry Andersen, a familiar face for many in the lake area, about her breast cancer battle.

  • Tuesday, October 9 2012 11:50 AM EDT2012-10-09 15:50:02 GMT
    When a Lake Charles man nearly had his hand cut off, it would take a team of specialists to reattach it and rebuild it. It was after surgery, though, that this man faced the biggest challenge: learning
    When a Lake Charles man nearly had his hand cut off, it would take a team of specialists to reattach it and rebuild it.  It was after surgery, though, that this man faced the biggest challenge: learning to use the hand again.

  • Monday, October 8 2012 9:03 AM EDT2012-10-08 13:03:09 GMT
    Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself from potentially life-threatening diseases, but the number of people in Louisiana getting vaccinated is dropping. There is a low cost immunization
    Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself from potentially life-threatening diseases, but the number of people in Louisiana getting vaccinated is dropping.

  • Thursday, October 4 2012 8:59 AM EDT2012-10-04 12:59:11 GMT
    A terrible industrial accident nearly cost one man his hand. But two doctors with Center for Orthopaedics in Lake Charles used a nerve, bones and skin from other parts of his body to reconstruct the man's
    Two local doctors used a nerve, bones and skin from other parts of his body to reconstruct a man's after a terrible industrial accident.

  • Wednesday, October 3 2012 11:12 AM EDT2012-10-03 15:12:26 GMT
    If time and gravity have made your skin head south, this Healthcast is for you. 7News finds out how ultrasound therapy can give your face a lift, without going under the knife. It is ultrasound technology
    If time and gravity have made your skin head south, this Healthcast is for you.  7News finds out how ultrasound therapy can give your face a lift, without going under the knife.

  • Tuesday, October 2 2012 11:10 AM EDT2012-10-02 15:10:45 GMT
    Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. There is no cure, but there are treatments to slow or even reverse its progression, including injections into the eyes.
    There is no cure for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults.  In this Healthcast, KPLC's Britney Glaser sees how injections into the eye are helping reverse the condition.

  • Monday, October 1 2012 5:37 AM EDT2012-10-01 09:37:22 GMT
    More than 600 hospitals across the country have joined the movement called "Ban the Bags," putting a stop to infant formula in take-home diaper bags for new moms. We look into what is behind the push
    600 hospitals across the country have joined the movement called "Ban the Bags," putting a stop to infant formula in take-home diaper bags.  See what is behind this push to breast feed.

  • Thursday, September 27 2012 11:03 AM EDT2012-09-27 15:03:24 GMT
    A Big Lake man is learning to use the left side of his body again, after waking up to find out he had a stroke. We go along with this patient to physical rehabilitation to see how it is helping him regain
    A Big Lake man is learning to use the left side of his body again, after waking up to find out he had a stroke.