by Isaac Zefo | Jun 13, 2024 | Urgent Care Clinic Why Choose Urgent Care Over the Emergency Room? Life is unpredictable, and so are medical situations that arise at inconvenient times. Your primary healthcare provider is the one you are most comfortable seeing. When they aren’t available to help with a problem requiring immediate medical attention, you are left trying to decide if the emergency room or an urgent care center is your best option ...
Why Is a School Physical for Sports Exam Important? Whether your child is a focused athlete or one who plays simply for the fun of it, there are many benefits to undertaking an annual sports physical exam. Plus, before anyone can start playing a sport, it's essential for them to have a physical exam from their healthcare provider - this is called the school physical for sports exam. During this examination, athletes receive a comprehensive ...
by Isaac Zefo | May 30, 2024 | Healthy Living Do Fermented Foods Have Probiotics? We’ve all heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While the nutrients in fruits are known to be beneficial, there’s a deeper process at play involving probiotics that promote overall health. What Are Probiotics? Probiotics are defined by the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as “live microorganisms that, when administered in ...
Learning how to improve kidney health is vital for maintaining overall well-being. Your kidneys are crucial in filtering waste and excess fluids from your body, regulating blood pressure, and balancing essential minerals. Despite their importance, many people overlook kidney health until a problem arises. Pre-Register The Importance of Kidney Function Your kidneys are essential to your overall health, serving as your body’s natural filtration system. These small, bean-shaped organs remove waste products, toxins, and ...
Allergic Reactions and Travel: A Guide to Enjoy Your Vacation As more people embark on adventures to explore new destinations, managing allergies during travel has become crucial. Allergic reactions can range from mild inconveniences to life-threatening emergencies, making it greatly important for travelers to be well-informed and prepared. Allergies, whether to foods, environmental factors, or other triggers, can potentially disrupt and even endanger a traveler's vacation experience. Recognizing the importance of understanding, preventing, and ...
by Isaac Zefo | May 13, 2024 | Healthy Living What Does Mucus Color Mean? We’ve all been there—trying to go about our day when a sudden stuffy nose, sinus pressure, and discolored mucus disrupt our plans. Whether you’re an avid runner sidelined by green mucus or a rock climber hampered by yellow mucus, understanding what these changes mean can help you better manage your health. Let’s explore the fascinating world of mucus ...
Understanding how to treat insect bites and stings is essential for anyone spending time outside. In this guide, we’ll cover practical tips for avoiding bites and effective methods for treating them if they occur. Preventing Insect Bites and Stings Adopting preventive measures is key to protecting yourself from insect bites and stings. Here’s how you can minimize your risk: Use Insect Repellent Apply insect repellent that contains 20-30% DEET to exposed skin and ...
The Role of Occupational Health in Employee Satisfaction Occupational health plays a pivotal role in the various dimensions of employee well-being. As companies strive to create a positive work culture and enhance employee satisfaction, the focus on workplace health has gained prominence. Join us on this journey as we discuss the critical role of health at work in shaping the well-being and satisfaction of employees across diverse industries. Pre-Register Understanding Occupational Health Health at work ...
by Isaac Zefo | Apr 28, 2024 | Healthy Living What Does Fiber Do? In the hustle and bustle of daily life, ensuring your family gets enough fiber can be a challenge. With picky eaters and busy schedules, it’s easy to overlook this essential nutrient. However, understanding the importance of fiber and incorporating it into your diet can have profound benefits for your health. So, what exactly does fiber do, and how can you ensure you ...
The Importance of Normalizing STD Testing Despite advances in medical knowledge and technology, STDs remain pervasive, presenting a complex challenge for healthcare providers and individuals alike. The stigma surrounding STDs often leads to silence and avoidance, further exacerbating the problem. However, breaking this silence and normalizing discussions about STD testing is crucial in combating the spread of these infections and safeguarding individual and community health. Join us as we shed light on the prevalence of ...
by Isaac Zefo | Apr 13, 2024 | Family Health Do I have Psoriasis? Are you grappling with that irritating itch and irksome skin that’s putting a damper on your day? It’s not just about feeling uncomfortable; it can really cramp your style, especially when you’ve got summer adventures planned. But before you resign yourself to feeling miserable, let’s figure out if it’s psoriasis or eczema causing the chaos. What is Psoriasis ...
Should You Use Ice or Heat for Gout Relief? Are you wondering if you should use ice or heat for gout relief? Both ice and heat therapies can be utilized for managing pain and inflammation; however, cold therapy is likely the best choice for managing pain and inflammation during a gout flare. Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, can cause excruciating pain and discomfort during flare-ups. This condition, characterized by sudden and severe attacks of ...
Why Do UTIs Occur? You may find yourself in a scenario where you’re eagerly anticipating an outing with your children, only to be sidelined by lower back pain and a relentless urge to urinate. It’s frustrating, and you’re looking for answers – could it be a urinary tract infection (UTI)? What is a UTI? To understand UTIs, let’s start with the urinary tract basics. It comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra ...
Is Urgent Care Covered by Insurance Have you been wondering, "Is urgent care covered by insurance?" You've come to the right place. When an unexpected illness or injury strikes, the need for medical attention can arise suddenly, leaving individuals grappling with where to turn for prompt care. In such instances, urgent care facilities are invaluable resources, offering a middle ground between the high costs of emergency room visits and the long wait times associated ...
by Isaac Zefo | Mar 14, 2024 | Family Health What Causes Pink Eye in Children? You are planning a fun family day out and about in Hickory including a stop at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, be sure to pack some hand sanitizer for your children to use over the source of the visit to help keep the risk of exposure to pink eye minimal. Children, especially those who gather in large social settings ...
If you’re a parent with little ones at home, you’re likely familiar with the discomfort of ear infections, a common ailment among children. However, it’s important to note that adults aren’t immune to this issue—it’s essential to know how to alleviate ear pain for anyone in your household who might be affected. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Hickory is here to help you navigate ear infections Best Ways ...
What Are the Bumps in the Back of My Throat? Have you been wondering, ‘what are the bumps in the back of my throat?’ You could be dealing with cobblestone throat or tonsillitis. Pre-Register What Are the Bumps in the Back of My Throat? If you've been feeling discomfort in your throat and have noticed red bumps in the back of the throat, you may be wondering what they are. Many people have experienced ...
Will a Tanning Bed Help My Psoriasis? If you are lucky enough to regularly hike Baker’s Mountain Park with its nearly six miles of trails you likely go well prepared with sun protection in the form of a hat, sunscreen, and perhaps specialized clothing. You take particular care to avoid the sun’s most intense rays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you have psoriasis, you may experience ...
What Causes Bronchitis? Respiratory illnesses are running rampant and acute bronchitis is one of the most common and contagious, but how do you know if you have it? There are two types of bronchitis—acute and chronic. Most cases of acute bronchitis are diagnosed during cold and flu season. The differences between the two types of bronchitis are highlighted below. What Is Bronchitis? Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes which ...
How Do You Get Salmonella? Salmonella infection, a type of food poisoning, targets your intestinal tract and can trigger a range of unpleasant symptoms, leaving you feeling quite ill for several days. Due to recent salmonella outbreaks in the U.S., it’s important to know how to avoid salmonella and what symptoms to expect. You contract salmonella infections by consuming food or water tainted with the bacteria. The symptoms often mimic those of a ...
