Recent Blog Posts

Colds are common conditions that usually cause mild symptoms. It may be tempting to push through cold symptoms and continue on with your daily routine. However, although colds are typically mild, they can sometimes lead to secondary infections such as bronchitis, sinus infections, and even pneumonia. Keep reading to learn more about how colds can turn into more serious infections and how to avoid complications arising from a common cold. If you’re feeling sick ...

Read more..

Does menopause make you tired? Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years. While it’s often associated with hot flashes and mood swings, many women also experience persistent fatigue during this transition. Feeling tired or low on energy can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when combined with other menopause symptoms. Save Your Spot Understanding Menopause Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when a woman’s ...

Read more..

You may wonder, "What is the best diet for irritable bowel syndrome?" The answer depends on your unique symptoms and needs, but several dietary strategies have been known to bring relief. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects millions of people, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all cure for IBS, making thoughtful changes to your diet can play a significant role in ...

Read more..

A wrist sprain is painful and can worsen without proper care. Explore options for treatment and when to seek medical attention. Save Your Spot Table of Contents How To Tell if You Have a Sprained Wrist Severity of Sprained Wrists How To Treat a Sprained Wrist How To Heal a Sprained Wrist Fast Sprained Wrist Medical Devices Should I Go to the ER or Urgent Care? Activities to Avoid With a Sprained Wrist Visit AFC for Help ...

Read more..

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It spreads rapidly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms of norovirus infection typically include sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and preventive measures is essential to managing and minimizing the spread of this highly contagious illness. Get Directions Causes of Norovirus Norovirus is a very ...

Read more..

If you get a deep cut, you may be able to treat it without stitches. Learn more about treating a deep cut. Save Your Spot Table of Contents What is Considered a Deep Cut? How Deep Does a Cut Need to Be for Stitches? Treatment Other Concerns to Keep in Mind Where To Go for Treatment What is Considered a Deep Cut? A deep laceration is generally considered over a quarter inch deep, but this also depends ...

Read more..

During the winter season, many different illnesses tend to circulate. Ear pain is a common symptom many individuals experience. Ear pain can happen during the winter due to a variety of reasons including the cold weather, dry air, and sudden temperature changes. These factors can cause discomfort or exacerbate underlying conditions such as ear infections or sinus congestion. In addition, the pressure changes that occur when transitioning between indoor warmth and outdoor chill can lead ...

Read more..

Stomach pain after eating can be a cause for concern, especially if it happens frequently. Learn more about treating frequent and occasional stomach pain. Save Your Spot Table of Contents Potential Causes and Treatments Upper Stomach vs. Lower Stomach Pain What To Do If Other Symptoms, like Diarrhea, Accompany the Stomach Pain What Do I Do If My Stomach Pain After Eating is Frequent? When Do I Need to See a Medical Provider? Potential Causes and Treatments ...

Read more..

Ear bleeding can be a sign of serious medical problems, especially if you’ve fallen or had head trauma. Explore potential ear bleeding causes and treatments. Save Your Spot Table of Contents Middle or Outer Ear Infection Head Trauma or Falling Torn or Ruptured Eardrum Foreign Object Barotrauma Other Infections Other Symptoms To Watch For When To Visit a Healthcare Provider Visit Your Local AFC Middle or Outer Ear Infection Infections in the ear, whether in the ...

Read more..

A lingering cough after a cold can be irritating and exhausting. Use these tips to get rid of your residual cough. Table of Contents What Causes a Lingering Cough How to Get Rid of a Chronic Cough Medications to Try When to See a Provider Visit Your Local AFC What Causes a Lingering Cough One of the most common causes of a chronic cough is a postnasal drip caused by allergies or a cold. Plus ...

Read more..

Being sick can be unpleasant. Common colds are very common infections that are caused by viruses. They are contagious through direct contact and airborne transmission and tend to spread quickly during the winter months. Although cold symptoms tend to be mild and will go away on their own over time, their symptoms can lead to fatigue and make it difficult to keep up with day-to-day tasks. In this article, we will discuss common causes of ...

Read more..

During the winter months, cases of respiratory illnesses increase significantly. Increased time spent indoors in close quarters to others facilitates the rapid spread of contagious diseases, and RSV is no exception. RSV symptoms can be severe, and even life-threatening in some cases. It is important to understand the symptoms associated with RSV and how to prevent the spread of RSV to prevent cases of severe illness. Keep reading to learn more about RSV symptoms, treatment ...

Read more..

Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, including our bedtime routines. Many people use electronic devices right before bed, whether scrolling through social media, watching TV, or responding to emails, leading to much research into the relationship between technology and sleep. Join us as we explore how technology affects sleep, debunk common myths, and offer practical tips for creating a more restful, tech-free sleep environment. Table of Contents How Technology and Sleep ...

Read more..

Vertigo is common yet unsettling - for some, vertigo is a mild inconvenience, while it can significantly disrupt daily life for others. But how long does vertigo last? Whether you're experiencing brief episodes or ongoing bouts, the duration of vertigo largely depends on the underlying cause and the type of vertigo you have. Table of Contents What Is Vertigo? How Long Does Vertigo Last? Can Stress Cause Vertigo? How to Prevent Vertigo Visit AFC ${city ...

Read more..

As the temperature drops and winter settles in, many people struggle with increased body aches and joint pain. It's a common experience to feel more discomfort during the colder months, and while it may seem like a simple coincidence, there's more to this phenomenon than meets the eye. Table of Contents Why Do My Joints Hurt When It's Cold? Strategies to Manage Body Aches and Joint Pain in Winter Concerned About Your ...

Read more..

If you’ve recently enjoyed some time in a hot tub and now find yourself dealing with an itchy, bothersome rash, you might be experiencing what’s commonly referred to as hot tub rash, also known as hot tub folliculitis. A hot tub rash — with itchy, bumpy, red skin — is an infection from common bacteria in hot tubs and swimming pools. Learn how to treat it. Save Your Spot Table of Contents What Is It? Signs and ...

Read more..

Getting strep throat during pregnancy doesn’t have to be scary. Here’s what to know about treating your symptoms. Save Your Spot Table of Contents How Do I Know If I Have Strep Throat? Risks of Getting Strep Throat While Pregnant Strep Throat Treatment Preventing Strep Throat During Pregnancy Visit AFC for Answers How Do I Know If I Have Strep Throat? A bacterial infection causes strep throat and typically comes with a sudden onset of ...

Read more..

If you’ve twisted your ankle or sprained your wrist, you may have been told to follow the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, and it can help soothe injured joints and tissues. Save Your Spot What Is RICE? RICE is a self-care technique that can relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed up the recovery process for minor musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruises. Medical providers often use it as part ...

Read more..

Can exercise improve your mood? Regular aerobic activities like jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, and even dancing have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Understanding how exercise impacts both your body and mind can empower you to use physical activity as a tool for better mental well-being. Exercise Can Improve Your Mood When you exercise, your body does more than just burn calories—it also enhances brain function. One key way exercise boosts ...

Read more..

During the fall and winter months, we tend to see an increase in illness cases. There are many different illnesses that can circulate during this time, which can make it difficult to diagnose exactly what is causing your particular illness symptoms. If you’re feeling sick and have a sore throat, you may have strep throat. Strep throat is a common bacterial infection that causes pain and irritation in the throat among other symptoms such ...

Read more..