According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person living in the United States passes away every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease. During American Heart Month this February, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know what steps you can take in order to live a healthier lifestyle so that you can promote a healthier heart for years and years to come! What Kind of Diet Helps Your Heart Health ...
Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...
Getting sick can be a scary situation no matter what you are sick with. Our bodies all respond differently to illness and while one person might have minimal symptoms with a certain illness, you might react much differently. Infections range in severity, and it is important to keep an eye on how you are feeling. This is certainly true with a salmonella infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains more about salmonella infections below ...
While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Gastonia indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain. Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...
The time has come for warmer weather, sunnier days…and seasonal allergies. Although spring is a fresh start for many, it can cause troublesome allergy symptoms as the trees and flowers start to bloom. More than 80 million Americans experience seasonal allergies, making it one of the most common conditions. As pollen enters the air, your symptoms will start to appear and won’t go away until the pollen levels drop again. If you are ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Gastonia has answers, and treatment, for you. Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...
The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually. This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...
Ear infections are a really common type of infection, especially in small children. They can be standalone infections or be caused by another illness. In any case, they can be downright painful! They can cause a variety of symptoms, and they can be really uncomfortable while your body works to overcome the infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains all about ear infections and the pain they cause below, so read on to learn ...
We are proud of the way the healthcare industry shifted and changed during the course of the pandemic. All of the adjustments, virtual visits and telemedicine options allowed people the resources they needed in a safer environment. With the pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May, there will be some changes to healthcare practices, including some aspects of telemedicine. We have good news, though! An in-person visit to AFC Urgent Care Gastonia ...
Life gets so busy that it can be hard to focus on slowing down and going to sleep. Whether the cause is working long hours or the fact that you just can’t stop watching your favorite show, losing hours of sleep is common for many adults across the country. Regardless of whether you are immediately feeling the effects, not getting an appropriate amount of sleep can be harmful for your health over time. Our ...
Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery. If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...
Local urgent care centers in Gastonia, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room. Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...
Experiencing an upper respiratory infection can make you feel pretty miserable. While infections like pneumonia and bronchitis can cause a wide variety of symptoms, one that they both share is the arrival of a deep cough. It can be hard to diagnose yourself at home, so it is important to come see us when you don’t feel well! Both of these illnesses are respiratory conditions, but they may need to be treated differently in ...
What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers. What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...
The winter season can be hard on us all. The colder temperatures, wicked winter weather and less sunlight all work together to make us dream of warmer summer days. While the winter may have you looking forward to the spring and summer, it can also make you feel more sad or down at this point in the year. While it is common to experience occasional bouts of sadness or symptoms of depression during the winter ...
Influenza has arrived in a big way all over the United States this season. Since it is so contagious, it can spread really quickly through communities. Because the flu is so apparent right now, it is important to refresh your memory on the symptoms of this particular illness. If you start to feel sick at all this year, just remember that your AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team is here to help you feel better. In ...
Are you feeling under the weather? We are sorry you are feeling sick! It can be hard to feel motivated to get off of the couch in search of treatment options, so it is important to make the most of your trip by understanding exactly what is making you sick. If you have an infection, knowing what type of infection you have is important when it comes to treatment options. If you suspect or know ...
It can be hard to watch our little ones feel sick! Treating your child’s symptoms is usually in the forefront of your mind to help him or her feel better. When it comes to fevers, did you know that the majority of them are actually helping your child fight off illness? Fevers can help speed up your child’s healing process and help him or her overcome illness. If your child has a fever ...
Taking care of ourselves and our families is a priority every day. This is especially true during the cold and flu season! All of the skills we have learned over the past couple of years can certainly come in handy in keeping our families healthy. In addition to measures like social distancing and staying home when sick, the flu shot is also a great tool in reducing your risk of serious illness. If you haven ...
