Recent Blog Posts

It is the end of April & that means Spring is finally here. Spring is a wonderful time of the year that many enjoy. However, if you are a good majority of poeple you may fear Spring because of the allergies! AFC Urgent Care Methuen would like to give you some advice on how to avoid allergies at home & in the workplace. Read below to get some advice! Tree pollen When allergies come in spring the ...

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AFC Urgent Care Methuen encourages parents to enroll their children in sports at a young age. Sports have been proven to teach a child important values & skills that they can apply to their everyday life as they grow up. Sports are important but can also lead to numerous amount of injuries. It is impossible to avoid all injuries however AFC Urgent Care Methuen would like to give you some tips on the best gear you ...

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Are you one of many American’s suffering from back pain? If you aren’t hurting now, you likely have in the past. Back pain is one of the most commonly reported health issues. From chronic pain to temporary pain brought on by an acute injury, our backs sure do cause a lot of problems. You know what they say, prevention is the best medicine! That’s why we’re going to share some tips ...

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From your grandmother to your best friends, it seems that every woman is surrounded by people sharing health advice from one woman to another. While it may be tempting to listen to those old wives’ tales and modern myths, it turns out most of them probably aren’t true. Let’s take a second to debunk some of the most common myths related to women’s health before you begin making any lifestyle changes based ...

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" When it comes to Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases the old adage “better safe than sorry” definitely applies. If you are sexually active, regardless of the use of protection or amount of partners, you should schedule STI/STD screenings periodically for your own safety as well as the safety of your partners. It is recommended that all women who are sexually active seek out gonorrhea and chlamydia testing every few years due to the fact that ...

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" Urgent care facilities provide a new medical option for millions of patients. Urgent care clinics have become an alternative option for primary care offices. It is important to note that urgent care is not a replacement for the emergency department, and any life-threatening injury should be treated at the ED of your local hospital. For all other health concerns, urgent care centers provide a few benefits over primary care offices. Accessibility and Convenience Many urgent ...

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What if you could cure your hangover in less than an hour? Or find a boost of energy you’ve been missing, with a side of mental clarity? That probably sounds too good to be true, but those supporting the new trend of vitamin IV’s claim it’s possible! From celebrities to young business moguls on the go, vitamin IV’s are quickly gaining popularity. Before you jump on the bandwagon and make an ...

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There’s an old stereotype that only men suffer from heart attacks. Not only is this a false stereotype to believe, but it’s very harmful as well. Many women don’t understand that they’re at risk of a heart attack or they don’t know what the potential symptoms may be. Before a heart attack can be found or treated by a doctor, women need to know what signs could be a warning ...

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" No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, there’s no doubt that there’s a fair number of festive treats involved. If you’ve been trying to lose weight or get healthy, those tables filled with treats are probably more temptation than you’ve allowed yourself to face in a long while. Trying to restrict over the holidays is stressful, but lucky for you we have a list of reasons why you shouldn’t restrict ...

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You start your day as normal, and as soon as you sit down at the office, you’re overwhelmed with fatigue, even though you’ve sleep for eight hours and just finished your morning coffee.  You also feel congested and your head is pounding. What is the flu? Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system – your nose, throat, and lungs.  For most people, the flu resolves on ...

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Occupational Health refers to the many disciplines devoted to the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace, often concentrating on injury prevention. Even with solid practices in place, accidents do occur, and having an experienced occupational healthcare provider you trust can make all the difference. Workplace injuries can result in lost time, indemnity costs, and lower productivity for an employer. Studies have shown that the same workplace injury can have catastrophic consequences to the ...

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What’s scarier than a ghost during Halloween and the fall season?  The flu. Flu season usually starts right before Halloween and can last up until May.  With everyone coughing and sneezing around you, you’re probably scared you’ll get sick, too.  Spooked about getting sick this fall?  These tips will help you stay flu-free this fall season! Get Your Flu Shot Getting your flu shot is the most effective way to prevent getting ...

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Did you know that the family is the most important social influence for physical activity? Research shows that children of active parents are 5.8 times more likely to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Today, most children do not meet the recommended amount of daily exercise, which is crucial to healthy growth and development. To get your kids moving, it’s important that you’re moving too! Here are a few fun ...

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There is nothing worse than getting ready to play and five minutes into the game, you get sidelined by an injury.  A sprain or a strain might not need the evaluation of a medical professional, but when it comes to dislocations, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate treatment. Here are a few steps you should take… Step 1 Inspect the affected areas to confirm the injury. Look for bruising, swelling, or ...

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" No matter what grade your child is entering, a routine physical is an important part of getting ready for the upcoming school year.  This annual exam can also be combined with your child’s sports physical if they plan on participating in any sports or extracurricular activities throughout the school year. Here are a few things you should expect during your child’s physical. Assessment of physical well-being During your child’s school physical, the ...

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Summertime brings many opportunities for outdoor activities. From camping and hiking to playing tag in the backyard, kids and adults alike can enjoy the warm weather. Make sure your family takes the following precautions to avoid missing outdoor fun due to mosquito and tick bites. Before you go outside: Use bug repellent on your skin and clothing. The CDC recommends wearing an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains active ingredients such as DEET or picaridin. Wear ...

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Poison ivy is the most common allergy in the United States, affecting about 50 million people every year. The rash from poison ivy is caused by an allergic reaction to urushiol, an oily substance in the leaves, stems and roots of poison ivy, through direct contact. Urushiol is also found in poison oak and poison sumac, which means the rash can be contracted by interacting with any of the three plants. Other than direct contact ...

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Growing up, Dad looked out for your health and safety to make sure you reached adulthood in one piece. Now that Dad is getting older, there are things you can do to return the favor. If you see some healthy changes your dad could make in his life, but you don’t know how to help him do so, read on! AFC Urgent Care can help you navigate the sometimes-tricky conversations about Dad’s health ...

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We’re always excited to give back to our community!  AFC Urgent Care had the pleasure of taking part in the festivities and donating water for the 2018 Special Olympics at North Andover High School. 

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Life might be easier if kids came with an instruction book. Most parents usually have enough questions to fill one and it can be extra difficult when your child is looking to you for answers and you don’t have any. That is especially true when they don’t feel good. All they want is for you to “fix it and make it better” but that’s hard to do when you aren’t so ...

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