That’s a really common question! While both illnesses are viruses and they have similar symptoms, they are different. Since the flu season is coming up straight ahead, it’s important to do what you can to protect yourself. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia offers some tips on why the flu shot is important and when to get it. Is COVID-19 the Flu? No, COVID-19 is not a type of ...
The honest truth is that we’re all at risk of diabetes. But some people are at a higher risk than others for Type 2 diabetes, which is largely related to lifestyle. Want to learn more? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia offers some insight about diabetes and how to prevent it. What Are the Types of Diabetes? There are two main types of diabetes—Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes ...
More than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. But how would you know if you were experiencing elevated blood pressure? That’s a bit tricky, because high blood pressure is what’s known as a silent condition. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants to take a few minutes to talk through what high blood pressure is, how to keep tabs on your blood pressure and how to maintain a ...
It can feel wonderful to feel the sun on your skin, but in recent years, we have learned just how dangerous the sun’s harmful UV rays can be to us. Not only can sun exposure lead to painful sunburns and blisters, but it can also increase your chances of developing skin cancer as you age. The good news is that all sunburns are entirely preventable, and by practicing good sunscreen application habits, you can ...
If you spent a lot of time in the woods as a child, you have likely heard the old adage, “leaves of three, let it be” in reference to poison ivy—but if you followed those directions carefully, you may not even know if you are allergic. Even if you have experienced a rash due to poison ivy in the past, you may not be as sensitive to it now as you were then, as ...
The numbers are pretty crazy—as of June 1, more than 1.5 million Americans had been diagnosed with COVID-19. That number included nearly 30,000 North Carolinians. While the number of new cases has leveled off slightly, COVID-19 is still a real and present risk. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants to provide some tips on how you can protect yourself and others. What Should I Do if I ...
Did you know? One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer by the time they turn age 70. That makes skin cancer the most common form of skin cancer among Americans. With the sun shining for longer each day and the temps on the rise, it’s natural to want to head outside. But before you do, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia would like to share some tips on how ...
May is Arthritis Awareness Month! During this month, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to understand your risk for arthritis, as well as steps you can take to alleviate pain associated with the medical condition. Am I at Risk for Arthritis? There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When it comes to osteoarthritis, age is a huge factor ...
May is known as Healthy Vision Month! Have you thought about your eye health lately? Many times we do not consider our eye health until something happens, such as an eyelash in our eye or blurry vision. But now’s the perfect time to stop and consider whether your habits are promoting good eye health and protecting your vision. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia sheds some light on the topic ...
In these times of uncertainty, it can be hard to know what to do if you get sick or hurt. Although we are all working hard to flatten the curve when it comes to the virus, that doesn’t mean that everyday illnesses and injuries won’t occur! What happens then? If you are in need of medical care, rest assured that AFC Urgent Care Gastonia is still here for you! We are now offering ...
Have you ever experienced an eye twitch? If you have, you know how both annoying and scary it can be, especially when it seems to come out of nowhere. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants to share some details about why eye twitches occur, as well as when to seek medical attention. What Exactly Is an Eye Twitch? An eye twitch occurs when there is a repetitive, involuntary spasm of your eyelid muscles ...
March is known as National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. Each year, more than 2.5 million people experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the Brain Trauma Foundation. With spring sports season being in full swing, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know how you can protect your young athlete from a TBI while on the field this season, as well as other ways you can reduce your risk ...
According to the Sleep Health Foundation, around one in three people living in the United States experience at least mild insomnia. When a person is living with insomnia, he or she is unable to get the sleep needed for optimal health. Fortunately, help is available for people experiencing insomnia. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know the main causes of insomnia, as well as what foods you should avoid when it ...
There is no denying that there is an obesity epidemic in the United States. Studies have shown that around 34% of adults—and 15 to 20% of children and adolescents—are considered obese. And many more adults and children are considered overweight. Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of staying healthy overall. But how can you do that? Dr. Natasha Ballard, Assistant Medical Director at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia, wants ...
If you listen to the news often or pick up a magazine or two, you’ll likely hear a lot about vitamin D. But why is this vitamin important—and how much of it do we really need? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants to share some insight about this essential vitamin and how you can get enough to support good health. Read on as we take a look. Why Is Vitamin D ...
As if flu season isn’t enough, you also need to watch out for another respiratory infection that is making its rounds in and around Gastonia—pneumonia. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia want you to know how to recognize the symptoms of pneumonia so that you can seek medical attention as soon as possible! What Are the Four Stages of Pneumonia? Did you know? There are four stages of pneumonia, which are consolidation ...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 102 million American adults are living with high cholesterol. When you have a higher than normal cholesterol number, you’re at a higher risk of heart disease and other serious medical conditions. Protect your heart by maintaining healthy cholesterol numbers. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia is here to help you learn how to lower your cholesterol as soon as possible. Who Is ...
