Each passing year is a blessing in its own way. You get to meet new people, have more life experiences and spend more time with your loved ones. There are, however, some risks that increase when you age. One of those risks is at-home falls. Tripping or slipping when you are younger was typically not a big deal. You would hit the ground but probably be able to pop back up with nothing more than ...
Your lungs have the important job of breathing in oxygen and transporting that fresh air throughout your entire body. Each inhale is important to your health and well-being! If you inhale something other than oxygen into your lungs, it can have a directly negative impact on your organs and your overall health. Tobacco smoke is a compound that is incredibly irritating to your body and will increase your risk of certain diseases and physical changes ...
I Have an STD, But I'm Not Sexually Active If you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but are not sexually active, there are a few reasons why this could be the case. "STD" refers to the constellation of diseases that result from a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For example, cervical cancer is an STD from the STI of HPV. Though it is possible to contract an STI even if you are not ...
There are so many ways to get sick or be out of balance somewhere in your body. Our bodies are incredibly complex and any sort of deviation or trouble with one of our systems can lead to unpleasant symptoms or generally feeling unwell. Since there is so much going on in your body at any given time, it can be hard to pinpoint a diagnosis on your own at home! Thankfully, we are here seven ...
Oh, summer, we love you! The sunny days and warm breezes can make any event or family function much more fun and pleasant. One thing we don’t like, however, is the increase in bugs and creepy-crawlies out and about. Most bugs aren’t harmful and are just annoying, but some of them can bite or sting—and it hurts! Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains more about some different bug bites to help ...
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are incredibly common across the country. Did you know that one in five Americans will contract one in a given year? With those odds, it is always possible for you to wonder if you need to get tested. We encourage regular STD testing for those who are sexually active, and we are the place that you can come to for a quick and accurate test. Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson ...
As you get older, it becomes more common for those around you to start experiencing memory troubles or develop different forms of dementia. You might begin to wonder if and when this will happen to you! Memory conditions and dementia can be scary to think about, but there are a few things you can do to support your brain throughout your life to reduce your risk. Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide, making it ...
No one ever wants to get hurt, but it happens. Even if you live an active lifestyle and do your best to avoid injury, getting hurt occasionally is just part of life. While a simple sprain or strain will eventually heal on its own, what should you do if your pain is lingering or getting worse instead of better? Come to AFC Urgent Care Hixson, of course! Our team is trained to diagnose and treat ...
If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...
When you get sick, it can be hard to know what you are suffering from on your own. Many different illnesses share symptoms, especially GI conditions or infections. If you start experiencing a fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps a few days after eating some questionable food, it may be salmonella. Salmonella is a type of infection that you can contract after coming into contact with salmonella bacteria, and it can make you feel pretty sick ...
We’ve heard a lot about COVID-19 since the moment it first hit the news back in late February or early March. But do we really have a good understanding of what the condition is and how to prevent it? While there’s still a lot we don’t know about COVID-19, there’s also a lot we do know. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson is taking a few minutes today to share ...
Sleep is important all the time, but since the second week of March is Sleep Awareness Week, it seems like the perfect time to talk about the topic! Around 70% of Americans report not getting the sleep they need at least once in a given month. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson wants to take a look at how much sleep you need and how you can get it. How Much ...
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 ...
If summer is your favorite season, you definitely aren’t alone in that thought! The summer months are a favorite among many due to the warm days and bright sunshine. As you get ready to have a summer to remember, it is important to protect yourself against the dangers of the sun. Even though the sun can feel really nice on your skin, do what you can to minimize long-term exposure. The sun can damage ...
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 Hixson 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 ...
We often take our bones for granted. Even though we need them every day to provide our bodies with structure and protection, we don’t usually think about them until we suffer a fracture. Building strong bones in childhood can help set your little ones up for a healthy life and fewer bone issues as they age. Did you know that your bones keep remodeling and changing, even after you are done growing? Our AFC ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Hixson 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 ...
The warmer days are finally here! As we dust off our spring clothes and tackle our spring-cleaning projects, nature is starting to bloom as well. While many of us welcome the blooming flowers and trees, those with seasonal allergies may not. Seasonal allergies can cause minor symptoms, or they can be severe enough to cause widespread discomfort all over your body. If you experience seasonal allergies in the spring, our team at AFC Urgent Care ...
The pandemic certainly changed how health care was provided to communities across not only the country, but the entire world. COVID-19’s emergency status in the United States is ending in May, which means that there will be some changes coming to the medical community and the availability of telemedicine. What won’t be changing, however, is the benefit of an in-person medical visit at AFC Urgent Care Hixson! In addition to providing high-quality medical ...
