Recent Blog Posts

Doctors recommend adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, according to HuffPost, more than a third of Americans regularly do not sleep enough. That means that roughly 83.6 million adults in the U.S. alone are sleep deprived. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 34.8 percent of American adults get less than seven hours of sleep per night. Worse yet, 11.8 ...

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The weather’s cold, the days are short, and the cold and flu viruses are running rampant. It’s likely that sometime this season, you’ll find yourself with a bit of a cough. Coughing is the body’s way of trying to clear your airways. It’s a natural occurrence and is rarely the sign of anything serious. The cause of a cough varies widely and so do the treatments, but it’s important ...

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The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, varies from year to year, both in terms of what type of flu is most common and how hard it hits various geographic locations. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is reporting widespread activity in nearly all parts of the United States. Gathering Data The weekly influenza surveillance report takes a snapshot of the flu and influenza-like illness (ILI) activity each week. The ...

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Flu season has officially begun, and if you haven’t gotten your vaccine, you’re putting yourself and others at risk of getting very sick. However, we understand you might have some questions about the flu vaccine: What exactly is in it, and how does it work? What is in the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine contains inactivated (dead) virus cells of the most common strains of the flu virus. The vaccine contents change annually ...

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A drip, a scratch, a-choo, a stuffy nose and a cough. These are the tell-tale signs of the most common ailment in the world — the common cold. Between the drier air outside, which may make your nose drier and more vulnerable to a viral infection, and people spending more time together inside — whether at home, school or daycare — this is definitely the time of year cold season kicks into high gear, especially in children. In ...

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Most years, the terms “flu season” and “flu shot” are viewed as a pesky seasonal rite of passage, a nuisance, another thing on your to-do list. But this year, the virulent H3N2 virus — which has been circulating for 50 years and dubbed the “Hong Kong flu” — is getting peoples’ attention. The 2017–2018 flu season epidemic is expected to kill more than 50,000 people patients 1 year or older, many of whom appeared healthy ...

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If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve no doubt heard that the flu is sweeping the country this year. In fact, for the first time in 13 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the entire contiguous United States, excluding Washington DC, is showing widespread flu at one time! Getting a flu shot is a great way to protect yourself from a nasty illness, and for some at-risk ...

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Parents are being warned that their sweet little angels may actually be the face behind the flu. For a number of reasons, young children are generally more likely to spread the virus than are adults. Children usually have more contact with others, are undeniable germ magnets and tend have weaker immune systems, making them easy targets for the ruthless influenza virus. In addition to their natural susceptibility, only one in four children receives an annual ...

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Winter sports are fun but not always the safest activities. If you imagine yourself careening down a hill towards another skier or skating on the rink and then getting nailed by a hockey puck – well, you can probably see how and why plenty of cold-weather athletes wind up seeing a doctor unexpectedly. And you don’t have to imagine. Statistics make it clear how dangerous winter sports can be. According to the U.S. Consumer ...

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As we inch toward the new year, American Family Care providershave been talking with patients about lifestyle changes that can help them feel healthier. It probably comes as no surprise that these discussions mirror some of the top New Year’s resolutions — eating better, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking to name a few! But, even as we address these topics, we recognize that big life changes aren’t always easy. Most people start out with ...

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‘Tis the season . . . don’t worry: we know that the holidays have passed, but flu season is still in full swing! In fact, it is reported that during in the 2017-2018 season flu activity has been greater than in prior years. That’s why it’s critical for people to be on the lookout for flu signs and symptoms. Obviously, our goal at American Family Care is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid the ...

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Winter months are setting in and flu season is ramping up. The easiest (and most effective) way to fight off the flu is to get your flu shot! Unfortunately, there are quite a few misconceptions about how the flu vaccine functions and the important role it plays in protecting your body. How the Flu Shot Works When you get sick, it is your immune system that fights diseases or infections to make you feel better ...

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A storm is brewing. Are you ready? Even if you’re reading this when the skies are sunny and blue, chances are, sooner or later, you’re going to be confronted with inclement weather. Maybe you live in a part of the country that’s visited by hurricanes or tornadoes. Perhaps you live in a snowbelt. If you’re in the West, maybe wildfires, earthquakes or dust storms are your concern. Whatever your variety of ...

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November is National Diabetes Month, an event designed to bring attention to diabetes and the impact this disease has every day on millions of Americans. According to the American Diabetes Association®, Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2015, 30.3 million Americans suffered from diabetes, and approximately 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in America alone. While there is no cure for diabetes yet, there ...

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The colder months are nearly here, which means it’s time to prepare yourself to fight against the flu. Catching the flu is quite a taxing ordeal, almost always resulting in having to call out sick from work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has done studies that show there is a notable spike in illness-related work absences each year during flu season. Get Your Flu Shot Failing to get your flu shot is setting yourself ...

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It never seems to fail! By the time the new school year rolls around, and just as you’re getting your new family routine in place, somebody gets sick. Pretty soon, everyone’s back in the bed battling who knows what and your routine is out the window. Nobody likes to be stuck at home sick, and the consequences can be more stressful than just a blown schedule. With the pace of academics these days ...

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" If your child is playing a sport this fall, it’s time to start thinking about a sports physical, also known as a Preparticipation Physical Exam (PPE). Before a player can compete, most schools and sports leagues will require a physical. Typically, there are two sections the PPE – a medical history review and a physical exam. Both parts are important and can help keep your child safe and healthy as they play their heart out ...

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The short answer is yes. We’re all at risk of developing diabetes—and the number of cases among Americans is rising. In fact, some 34.2 million Americans were living with diabetes in 2018, according to the American Diabetes Association. So, what can you do to decrease your risk of developing diabetes? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Cheltenham shares some insight. What Is Prediabetes? Have you been told by a ...

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Summertime temperatures can pose a threat for all – especially the elderly. Due to how the body naturally changes with age, older adults are at greater risk for heat-related injuries. Society harps on young adults for the importance of sunscreen, staying hydrated and other health precautions during the warm season, but have we truly considered how rising temperatures drastically affect the elderly? AFC Urgent Care Burlington wants you to be educated on the preventive measures, symptoms ...

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Summer is a busy time for urgent care centers. Learn how you can avoid some of the most common summer injuries while you have your fun in the sun.   Summer is one of the most exciting times of the year! With vacations, backyard barbecues, fireworks shows and more to look forward to, there’s lots of fun to be had during the warm summer months. But while you’re having a blast with your family ...

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