Recent Blog Posts

As winter approaches, respiratory illnesses become more prevalent in Hixson and surrounding areas. Whether you’re out enjoying seasonal activities or navigating everyday life, understanding illnesses like pneumonia is essential for staying healthy. This blog explores walking pneumonia, how it differs from regular pneumonia, and when to seek care at AFC Urgent Care Hixson to ensure a swift recovery. Visit AFC Hixson today. What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses ...

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Getting strep throat during pregnancy doesn’t have to be scary. Here’s what to know about treating your symptoms. Pre-Register 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 ...

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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. Pre-Register 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 ...

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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 ...

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As winter’s chill sets in and the holiday season gets into full swing, you might be considering dining out with the family at Lucky Samurai to avoid extra housework. While you’re out, though, your child starts coughing—first a soft cough, but soon it sounds like a seal barking. It’s a common occurrence, but it’s concerning when it doesn’t seem to let up. AFC Gastonia is here to provide insight ...

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If you’re feeling a ringing in your ears and dizziness, the causes could range from dehydration to vertigo to Meniere’s disease. Learn more. Pre-Register What Is Tinnitus? A ringing, buzzing, or hissing noise in the ears when no outside sounds are happening is called tinnitus. It’s often a symptom of various conditions but can occur due to exposure to loud noise, earwax accumulation, or age-related hearing loss. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and ...

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Kids love to interact with everything around them. Plastered to a fishtank while you grab some fish food from Wet Pets, running immediately to the toys at school, and somehow get into the flowerpot at home. While that curiosity is admirable, it also exposes them to sickness. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is one illness going around. While preventable with good hygiene, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) can be an unsettling experience for ...

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Experiencing pain under your right breast? Luckily, the Mayo Clinic says this pain is rarely a concern for breast cancer, nor is it closely associated with heart attacks because your heart is mainly on the left side of your chest. Everyone, not just women, can suffer from sharp pain under their right breast. It can be recurrent or pop up and a sign of multiple different concerns, ranging from mild to serious. Learn more about ...

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The effects of COVID-19 have affected us all in unique ways. We’ve learned just how quickly symptoms can develop after exposure, underscoring the need to stay informed about our health and the health of those around us. You can go to the park one day, visit Berewick Recreation Center another, visit family the next, and then get a call from family saying they’re sick and you might be too. While most know what ...

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Is psoriasis itching? Read on to learn more about this skin disease. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by an overactive immune system, which leads to the rapid buildup of skin cells. While itching is one of the most common symptoms of psoriasis, it’s far from the only challenge those with the condition face. Flare-ups, where symptoms worsen significantly, can be triggered by a variety of factors, making it crucial to understand what ...

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As cooler weather comes in, parents try to bundle their little ones up to keep them from the cold. When it’s too chilly or rainy, a cold day can be a perfect excuse for a day out at an indoor location. For weather that chills you to your bone, it’s the perfect opportunity to go to the The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium. Children, especially those in daycare, school, or shared play ...

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What does a broken ankle look like? Ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal issues, affecting individuals of all ages and activity levels. Whether you take a simple misstep while walking or participating in a more vigorous activity like sports, a twist or fall can lead to a painful ankle injury. However, distinguishing between a sprain and a fracture is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. Understanding the Ankle Structure The ankle is a ...

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With cooler weather rolling in, we love to take local strolls through Town of Cramerton Goat Island Park and Greenway. However, it’s not uncommon to start feeling a bit under the weather with the changing season. The big question is: Do you have COVID-19, the flu, or just a common cold? While these illnesses share some similar symptoms, knowing how they differ can help you take the right steps. Understanding these differences is important ...

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As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to help your child lose weight, but taking proactive steps is essential for their future well-being. Addressing childhood obesity is more than a matter of physical appearance; it's about preventing long-term health complications. By learning more about the causes and effects of obesity and taking action through small lifestyle changes, you can make a big difference in your child's life. What Is ...

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While poison ivy rashes are common, many people aren’t fully aware of the different stages they go through—from the moment you make contact with the plant to the final stages of healing. In this post, we’ll walk you through each of the poison ivy rash stages, helping you understand what’s happening to your skin and how to manage the discomfort. Pre-Register Contact with Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac These plants all ...

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Sep 11, 2024 | Healthy Living With so many illnesses to keep track of, like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Despite our best efforts to stay healthy, catching influenza remains a possibility for many. If you’re currently dealing with the flu, we understand how frustrating it can be. Typically, influenza is a common respiratory virus that resolves within a week. To help you manage your symptoms and recover more ...

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In the realm of athletic performance, we often focus on training regimes, nutrition, and mental strategies. However, one crucial element frequently overlooked is the relationship between sleep and athletic performance. Sleep is not merely a passive state but a vital component of an athlete's recovery and performance. The adage "sleep is for the weak" couldn’t be further from the truth; adequate rest is a cornerstone of peak physical and mental functioning. Pre-Register The ...

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Aug 30, 2024 | Uncategorized Autumn is a season of vibrant colors, crisp air, and outdoor fun in Gastonia. Whether you’re raking leaves, hiking through scenic trails, or enjoying cozy evenings by a bonfire, there’s a lot to love about this time of year. However, with the change in season also comes a rise in certain injuries and ailments. At AFC Gastonia, we notice a pattern each fall as patients come in with issues ...

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Whether at a desk in the office or working remotely from home, many employees spend the majority of their day seated. While this may seem like a routine part of adult life, research has shown that a sedentary lifestyle can impact our health. Workplace wellness programs offer a solution. These initiatives can help counteract the negative effects of sitting and promote overall well-being. Join us as we explore the dangers of prolonged sitting and how ...

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Aug 15, 2024 | Healthy Living Common Symptoms of Back Pain Back pain is a widespread issue that affects millions of people, often disrupting daily activities and quality of life. Whether it’s a sudden sharp pain or a persistent dull ache, understanding the underlying causes of back pain can help you find relief and prevent future episodes. Here’s a look at why back pain occurs and what you can do to alleviate it. Back ...

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