Diagnosing and treating illnesses often takes some investigative work. While some illnesses are pretty straightforward and can be diagnosed with a simple physical exam, others require a bit more digging in order to find the right diagnosis. In order to do so, we have to have a few different diagnostic tools under our belts. One of these tools is our state-of-the-art lab we have right on site! This lab helps us run a wide variety ...
If you enjoy spending time in the Great Outdoors, chances are you have encountered at least a few bug bites in your life. While most of them are just a mild annoyance and a bit itchy, they are normally nothing to worry about. However, if you don’t see what bit you immediately, it can be a bit worrisome! Allergic reactions can happen at any point, even if you have never had a reaction to ...
No one wants to think about the possibility of developing a memory disease as they age. Losing precious memories and connections with loved ones is hard on everyone involved. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are relatively common. In fact, there are almost 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s right now. Memory conditions are often genetic, but there are things you can do to support your brain as you age to help ...
Getting hurt is never fun. It can be painful, frustrating and even scary if the injury is severe enough. While many injuries are minor and heal on their own with time, what happens when the injury you thought was no big deal is lingering and causing you significant pain? That’s where our team comes in to help! Our AFC center is fully equipped with an X-ray machine and highly skilled X-ray technicians who can ...
It can be frustrating to get sick, no matter what you are suffering from. But it can be especially frustrating to start feeling ill after going out for a fun dinner with friends or making a delicious meal at home. If your stomach starts to hurt and you are experiencing other gastrointestinal symptoms, you may start to wonder if you came down with food poisoning. Food poisoning can occur due to many different kinds of ...
We are ready to enjoy a beautiful summer season here in east Tennessee! With all of the family fun, warm sunny days and community events, summer is definitely one of our favorite seasons in Athens. That said, we know how important it is to take care of our skin during this time of the year, and we want you to protect your skin from the sun as well! Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team ...
Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...
While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Athens indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain. Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...
As parents and caregivers, you know that feeding your kids can sometimes feel like a full-time job! Some days, they love certain foods, and other days, they won’t touch them. It’s always an adventure with little ones. It can be easy to fall into a routine and reliable foods for your children, but it is important to mix up their diet to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients, vitamins and minerals to ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Athens has answers, and treatment, for you. Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...
The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually. This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...
Believe or not, allergy season is upon us once more. While we are enjoying the warmer temperatures and blooming trees and flowers, chances are that your allergy symptoms are making a comeback in a big way. Common allergens like tree, grass and weed pollen are responsible for many people’s symptoms. While seasonal allergies are not life-threatening, they can certainly make you feel miserable! Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team is here to explain ...
Over the past few years, the healthcare industry has experienced a great upheaval. With all of the changes, restrictions and social distancing, many processes were changed or even halted. The pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire when May arrives, so many of these processes will go back to normal. These changes will affect telemedicine and virtual visits across the entire country. But don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere. An in-person visit ...
If you have children, you probably know all about ear infections! Middle ear infections are one of the most common forms of illness in children. They are so common, in fact, that most children have at least one before they turn 3. While it is true that ear infections are more common in children than adults, it is still possible to experience one as you age. Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team explains what ...
Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery. If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...
Local urgent care centers in Athens, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room. Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...
It is more important than ever to keep an eye on your mental health. After the eventful few years we have all had, it can be normal to experience a wide range of feelings and emotions. While the occasional feeling of sadness or loneliness is usually nothing to be concerned with, lingering or severe feelings of isolation can indicate a need to investigate further. In the fall and winter months, seasonal affective disorder symptoms tend ...
What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers. What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...
Do you have a cough that just won’t quit? It could be the beginning of a lung infection! Infections are certainly common this time of year, so experiencing an illness like bronchitis or pneumonia is always a possibility. Like the majority of infections, bronchitis and pneumonia can often be treated at home with rest and OTC medication, but serious or severe infections need to be addressed right away. Get the facts about bronchitis and ...
