It was not that long ago that hospitals were primarily neighborhood facilities that provided care to surrounding communities. They were easily accessible and had a staff of resident physicians who were also community members. Assuming one had fallen and sustained wounds or torn ligaments, one could visit the emergency room and expect quick and inexpensive treatment. Unfortunately, things have taken a different turn lately. Hospital emergency rooms are pretty crowded these days; this is partly ...

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Wondering how to get rid of warts? Here’s what you should know about DIY wart removal vs. seeing a wart removal doctor, and how freezing a wart works. Warts: What Are They? A wart is a skin growth caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) category. Extra skin cell growth is triggered by the HPV virus, and a thick, dome-like, rough lump appears — most commonly on the hands, feet, genitals, or face. Just ...

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Wondering how to stop chigger itch? Here are six proven home remedies for chigger bites and how to identify an infected chigger bite. Chiggers: A Tiny Mighty Irritating Mite Chiggers are nearly microscopic mites measuring less than 1/60th of an inch and are found in forests, grasslands, woodlands, orchards, near lakes and streams, golf courses, and parks. More like a spider than an insect, chiggers are also called spider mites, berry bugs, bush mites ...

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Feeling sick after sun exposure? Learn the symptoms of sun poisoning vs. sunburns, what sun poisoning feels like, and when to see a doctor. Sun Poisoning vs. Sunburn: How to Know the Difference The summer months bring warm weather and lots of outdoor time spent in the sun. And while we treasure our days hiking, biking, swimming, barbequing, boating, and picnicking, we can often end up feeling sick after sun exposure. Even on a cloudy ...

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In a hospital setting, the idea of urgent care and emergency room services comes from the need to handle life-threatening situations. But still, some of these situations can be life-threatening and do not require emergency room services but only urgent care attention. As a result, most people get confused between the two. So to avoid confusion, let’s find out what these two phrases mean and when you need them. What is an Emergency Room ...

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Is your headache a dehydration headache or something else? Learn the symptoms of dehydration headaches, how long they last, and the best ways to get relief fast. Dehydration Headaches Defined  Headaches are a common cause of pain. Most of us will experience headaches, which occur for a variety of reasons, including being dehydrated. Dehydration happens when we take in less fluid than we’re losing. We lose fluid when we sweat and urinate. Most Americans ...

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Dealing with itchy red bumps on skin after swimming in a pool? Learn the differences between chlorine rash and swimmer’s itch (pool rashes) and how to find relief. Table of Contents Common Pool RashesChlorine RashHow Long Does Chlorine Rash Last?Swimmer’s ItchProviding Treatment for Your Summer Skin Rashes Common Pool Rashes As summer approaches, warmer weather makes you and your family want to swim, seeking relief from the heat, a cooler way to ...

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If you’ve been bitten by a tick, careful tick removal is the first step. Here’s how to remove a tick safely and when to see a doctor after a tick bite. Tick Bites: Prevention is the Best Cure Tick bites and the illnesses they can cause are on the rise. Vector-borne diseases, including those caused by tick bites, have tripled between 2004 and 2016. Of these illnesses, 75% are caused by ticks. Ticks ...

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Nasal allergy attacks can be debilitating. Here’s how to stop an allergy sneeze attack, how to find allergy attack relief, and when to see a doctor for allergies. Causes of Seasonal Allergy Attacks Is your nose running? Are your eyes red and itching? Does your throat feel like it’s lined with sandpaper? Can’t stop coughing or sneezing? Are you tossing and turning all night because you can’t breathe? Lucky you! You ...

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Foamy urine happens sometimes, but if it’s occurring regularly or getting worse, it’s likely a sign of disease. Table of Contents Causes of Bubbles in UrineKidney ProblemsRetrograde EjaculationAmyloidosisUrinary Tract Infection MedicationsFoamy Urine TreatmentWhen to Get Help for Bubbles in Urine Here’s what causes bubbles in urine and when to get help. Causes of Bubbles in Urine Everyone occasionally has bubbly urine. A full bladder can lead to a forceful urine stream producing ...

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Ovulation is when your ovaries release an egg, which occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle. Ovulation bleeding or spotting is a common experience for many women and often nothing to worry about. Spotting between periods can be indicative of issues outside normal ovulation. But how do you know? Let’s explore the various causes of spotting, what’s normal, what’s not, and when to seek medical attention. What Causes Normal Ovulation Bleeding ...

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You may be wondering, “Why do my hands and feet itch? What causes this irritating condition, and what does it mean? How can I find relief?” Table of Contents Common Causes of Itching Palms and FeetRelief from the ItchinessWhen to See a Doctor Itchy palms or feet can be a minor annoyance or an underlying symptom of a bigger problem. Here’s how to stop itchy feet and palms and when to see a doctor ...

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the globe. The term refers to a number of conditions that affect the heart, from genetic defects to infections. There is a lot of research surrounding heart disease, and one widely asked question: Can heart disease be cured?  Before we dive into the answer, let’s first take a look at some sobering statistics from the Centers for Disease Control:  In the United States alone, more ...

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The painful symptoms of a sore throat are hard to ignore. It can feel dry, scratchy, and hard to swallow. The cause of a sore throat varies from screaming too loudly at a concert to a bacterial infection. Here is a look at several conditions that can cause a sore throat and how to know when to see a doctor. Three Main Causes of Sore Throats Allergies If you suffer from allergies, whether it be ...

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STD testing is not always part of your routine physical exam or gynecological checkup. So it’s important to know how much do STD tests cost. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the occurrence of STDs is on the rise. Table of Contents Why Test for an STD?How Much Do STD Tests Cost at Urgent Care?How Much Do STD Tests Cost With Insurance?How Much Do STD Tests Cost Without Insurance ...

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Runny nose, congestion, swollen, itching eyes, sore throat, headache… welcome to your sinus infection! And you aren’t alone; one in seven adults in the United States, or roughly 35 million people, will suffer the misery of a sinus infection this year, leading to 16 million doctor visits annually. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, can lead to lost workdays, less time with family, lack of exercise and leisure time, diminishing quality of life for you ...

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We all experience tummy troubles from time to time. Many times, it is a result of something we ate. But in some cases, the stomach discomfort might be related to a digestive issue. In fact, according to the American Nutrition Association, more than 70 million people living in the United States will experience some type of digestive issue in their lifetime. Here are the top ten digestive issues that could require immediate medical care. #1 ...

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Flu season — stretches across seven months of the year, giving us plenty of unfortunate opportunities to catch it. October to May is prime time for this viral infection that causes symptoms which include fever, chills, dry cough, body aches, and a headache. How Does the Flu Spread? The flu is contagious, spreads by droplets, which means it can spread from person to person up to six feet away, especially when someone infected with the virus ...

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Itching. Burning. Odor. Sounds like the signs of a sexually transmitted disease or STD. However, you might be surprised to learn not all STDs come with a heads-up. STDs carry a lot of unwarranted stigmas. They are more common than you might think. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five Americans have an STD. If you are sexually active, you should be tested for STDs at least once a year. STD screens ...

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A concussion results from a sudden jolt or blow to the head that causes your brain to move back and forth against the inside of your skull. It is considered a traumatic brain injury and can temporarily impact your brain function leading to serious long-term concussion effects. Many people associate concussions with athletes. But anyone can get one. You can hit your head in a minor car accident or from a seemingly innocuous fall or ...

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