" When you suffer an injury or illness, getting the treatment you need should be your top priority. When you can’t wait for a scheduled appointment with your primary care provider, where should you go? Many people assume the answer is the emergency room, but that’s actually wrong! Keep reading to learn more about when you should seek care at the emergency room and when you should seek care at the urgent care. What ...
" The common cold can impact a patient’s health if they don’t take the time to properly seek out treatment, but thankfully you can visit your nearby urgent care center for help! A common cold is caused by a rhinovirus that can affect the immune system and cause symptoms in just a few days. A rhinovirus can travel through the airways, mouth, and nasal passages which means that there are many opportunities to get ...
" Flu season can last quite a long time in most Massachusetts towns. Recently, flu season across the state, as well as the entire US, has been lasting longer and longer with each passing year. According to the CDC, flu season has jumped in length since flu season can sometimes peak as late as April in any given year. February is usually when flu season peaks in the last 40 years, but the last two seasons ...
" Almost 1/6 of the U.S population is planning to travel elsewhere for Thanksgiving. In fact, AAA estimates that nearly 55 million travelers are planning to meet a relative or other family during the Thanksgiving rush on 11/27 and 11/28 of 2019. Thanksgiving traffic is a constant year-after-year and planning for your trip can be quite stressful. Getting all of your food, clothes, and other essentials is a big part of having ...
" Thanksgiving is usually associated with big turkey meals, tasty side dishes, and festive desserts. The holiday is a great time to share in a bountiful meal with the family, but it is also important to keep up with positive health and wellness habits. As the seasons get colder, it becomes harder to get outside and stay active. Additionally, those big turkey dinners can cause sleepiness and make it less likely you’ll stay fit and ...
" Nutrition is important year-round but going into the fall season it should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. With Thanksgiving dinners and festive family meals, it’s easy to forget that what you eat matters. Try out one of these delicious, heart healthy, and all-around good for your body, recipes next time it’s your turn to make the family dinner! Tortilla Soup Nothing says fall like a warm bowl of soup! This ...
" Flu symptoms are similar to other illnesses, so it can be hard to diagnose just from symptoms. There are tests to see whether or not a person is ill from influenza or not. Flu symptoms generally show up two days after someone is exposed and infected to the influenza virus. However, this can range from one day to upwards of four days. It is also important to note that not everyone with the flu will ...
" As the school year approaches, its time to schedule a back-to-school physical for your child. In addition to meeting the school requirements, annual physicals are some of the most important medical appointments for your child. Unlike when your child sees the doctor for an illness, the doctor has a chance to take a look at your child’s overall help and make appropriate recommendations to keep your child healthy and active. Back-to-school physicals provide many ...
" Getting the flu feels scary – the symptoms are uncomfortable and can take you out of school or work for several days at a time. The intense fever and congestion are signs that your body is struggling, and you need to attend to the problem to fix it. Here’s how to take care of your body if you have the flu. Rest your body Since your body is so busy fighting off the virus, it ...
" With flu season coming up, you’ve probably seen plenty of reminders urging you to get your flu shot now. However, you might be wondering where exactly you should be getting the vaccine. Urgent care providers are one of the most reliable flu vaccine providers, regardless of where you live. Here’s why you should head to the urgent care for your flu vaccine. Urgent care is your best bet for fast and affordable flu ...
" Truck drivers are required to stay up to date on their Department of Transportation issued (DOT) physicals. Even if it’s your first DOT physical, or you’re a seasoned pro, the physical is still a stressful process. If you fail your DOT physical, you won’t be allowed to get back behind the wheel. While cheating the test is a dangerous and bad idea, there are a few simple changes you can make to ...
" The internet has opened a whole new world of communication and information sharing. The instant access to share information with your friends and family is a great advancement, but it can become dangerous before you know it. When shaky medical information is shared by patients online, everyone who reads it is put at risk. What is Shaky Medical Information? First and foremost, you must be able to understand what shaky medical information is. Reliable medical ...
" The warm weather has finally arrived and it brought plenty of pollen along with it! That pollen doesn’t affect some people at all, but for the rest of you unlucky allergy sufferers, it can make the summer months miserable. There are steps you can take to enjoy your summer and keep your pollen allergies on the back burner. Want to manage your pollen allergies? – Follow these simple steps! Know your Trigger If you suspect ...
" Summertime is usually a call for parents to get their kids out of the house and into the sun for play! While the warmer temperatures are pleasant, they also come along with some invisible risks. Did you know that 15 minutes outside is all it takes for sun damage to occur? In those 15 minutes, even on a cloudy or overcast day, your child could be suffering from harmful UV damage. However, just follow these ...
" Travel vaccinations help to ensure that you, and your family members, are efficiently protected from all airborne illnesses and viruses during international travel. But many families don’t fully understand why travel vaccines are necessary, the diseases they protect from specifically, and the process on how to get family members an updated travel vaccine. That is why AFC Urgent Care Bedford is here to ensure that you know everything about travel vaccines and why you ...
" Millions of children in elementary school, middle school, and high school play school sanctioned sports every year, which presents the possible risks of sports injuries. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly 3.2 million school-aged children go to the emergency room to treat sports injuries every year. Additionally, collision and contact sports including football, soccer, and basketball account for 80 percent of all sports injuries. Even though school sports present injury risks they ...
" Seasonal allergies are very common for both children and adults in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 24 million people in the U.S suffer from seasonal allergies. As the spring season begins to peak, seasonal allergies like hay fever are likely to become more cumbersome for patients. During the spring and early summer, dry and windy air is more likely to spread out common allergy trigger much further including pollen, dust ...
" According to the CDC, there are over 2.6 million cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) annually in the U.S. STD testing is an important medical service that most adults should participate in multiple times during their life. Getting a screening is key for detecting these conditions early and trying to coordination treatment as soon as possible. However, the direct health benefits are not always clear about getting ...
" Fitness is more than just a social media fad or a way to improve your looks. A carefully planned fitness regime is a great way to improve your overall health. The most significant health benefits of a fitness routine include improved heart health, lowered obesity, increased energy, increased strength and endurance, and ultimately a longer and healthier life. However, beginning a new fitness routine may not be easy. Fitness beginners or those who struggle to ...
" At AFC Bedford, we strive to do everything in our power to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Besides providing high-quality and affordable urgent care services, we also are here to educate you on the latest public health updates happening across Massachusetts. The winter in Massachusetts has become increasingly flu-heavy as flu cases are growing rapidly in many parts of the state. Make sure you get your flu shot and practice good hygiene ...
