" Swimmer’s ear develops after excess water enters inside the ear canal, occurring typically after a person goes swimming. The water trapped inside the ear creates a damp environment, capable of fostering bacteria, which allows the bacteria to thrive. This induces a number of painful and aggravating symptoms that can last for several days. This is why people suffering from swimmer’s ear often seek treatment, as it can be difficult to go about your ...
" February marks the point in the year when illnesses such as norovirus, influenza and the common cold are at their peak. Often forgotten in winter’s swarm of sicknesses is strep throat, which many people associate solely with children. However, strep throat is prevalent during this time for people patients 1 year or older – not just children. People contract strep throat when they come into contact with the Streptococcus bacteria, which spreads via saliva being ...
" With February vacation just around the corner, many of us are looking to escape the snowy weather and head South to warmer climates. Countries in the Caribbean, like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, make popular vacation destinations, but unfortunately, there have been numerous Zika cases reported in these countries lately. Zika virus’ symptoms range from mild to moderate, with only one-in-five infected people ever experiencing symptoms. While there have been zero reported deaths to this ...
" The United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world. As different as we may seem, our health issues can be very similar. Health care trends tend to be pretty consistent across large swaths of the population, so it’s important to pay attention when one becomes widespread. Your local AFC/Doctors Express can advise you on which conditions should concern you and how to take action to prevent them. The No ...
" Despite the cold weather, dehydration hospitalizations are extremely frequent during the winter months. It may initially seem counter-intuitive, considering the frigid temperatures, until you remember how dry the air is during winter. The cold weather also makes it difficult for people to pick up on the symptoms of dehydration, seeing as their mind’s consumed by the overbearingly cool temperatures. It’s easy for the body to recognize it’s dehydrated during the summer months ...
" Here is the second part of our series on flu season! We hope you took our advice from last week and got your flu shot! We’re going to get a bit more into the nitty-gritty about how the flu spreads and what makes the flu vaccine work. So hang on, we’re diving right in! The influenza virus is a respiratory virus, and it spreads primarily through contact with respiratory droplets. However, these droplets ...
" Massachusetts dodged a bullet last weekend by just barely avoiding the wrath of Winter Storm Jonas. By the time Jonas hit the mid-Atlantic cities of Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York late on January 22nd, it became apparent the storm was of a historical magnitude. Traffic came to a standstill all along the I-95, forcing many to abandon their cars. As a result of car accidents, dehydration, hypothermia and various other injuries, Jonas claimed ...
" The influenza virus is a seasonal epidemic that typically hits the United States around October and can last until May. Even though this is a yearly occurrence, there are still some misconceptions about the flu and what people should do to protect themselves. To keep our readers informed, we are doing a two-part series on important facts people should know about the flu. Part two will be released next week. The flu is not just ...
" Marie Sacco MSN, FNP-C explaining difference between the different positions in the medical community. Our center staffs a range of medical experts with varying skills, specialties and levels of expertise. During your visit, you may hear different people introduce themselves as a Provider, nurse practitioner or Provider’s assistant. When patients are offered medical services by any of these providers the most frequently asked question is “What is the difference?” We would like to explain ...
" After an unseasonably warm start on the East Coast, winter is finally letting us feel its chill. It might seem like yesterday that high temperatures were breaking records all over the place, so it can be easy to disregard the recent cold. Winter weather can present a lot of hazards though, so it’s important to be aware of what might happen in your area and be prepared for what winter may bring. Here are ...
" Every January, you see the determined, motivated faces of people all around you working to improve themselves in the new year. Inevitably, by March, the vast majority of those have gotten off-track or completely given up on their goals. It’s not a lack of desire for these changes to work or even a lack of commitment to their goals that’s knocked them off the path toward a better self. For many people, change ...
" We have just entered peak flu season, meaning now more than ever, people are catching the flu. While flu season officially lasts from October to May, certain years last longer than others. While it’s too early to judge how long this current flu season will last, it’s important to get vaccinated regardless of how late it is in the season. The Center for Disease Control reports that approximately 20% of Americans will contract ...
" This holiday season, give the gift of good health! Instead of spending a fortune on the latest fad, invest in your health and the health of your loved ones. Trends come and go, but good health will always be in style. Whether you’re shopping for a budding health nut or a fitness fanatic, this guide will help you find the perfect healthy gift for all the special people in your life. Reusable water bottle ...
" Everyone has experienced coughing fits at some point in their lives. But have you ever had a cough that just felt different? Has it lasted longer than a typical cold? Is your cough making it difficult to breathe? Does it just not sound right? While there are number of different illnesses that cause coughing, one of the most common is bronchitis. Before you worry too much, bronchitis isn’t typically too serious. In fact, you ...
" It can sometimes be difficult determining whether a sudden injury should be treated at either an urgent care center or an emergency room. People who have suffered life-threatening injuries should always seek treatment at the emergency room. However, many sudden injuries can be treated at an urgent care center. These injuries include: Animal bites Back pain Burns Cuts/Lacerations Insect Bites Muscle sprains Rashes For sprains and broken bones, our Providers administer x-ray scans for ...
" There’s no denying the best part of the holidays is eating copious amounts of food with the people you love. Sure, receiving presents was undoubtedly the best as a child, but as soon as we’re expected to begin buying presents for others, the allure was overshadowed by the overbearing stress of holiday shopping. Regardless, the holidays are a special time as the family’s all together and everybody has time off from school ...
" Cuts can be a scary sight, for some people even just the sight of blood triggers feelings of dizziness and nausea. Fortunately, we’re here to make cuts a little less intimidating, as our job is to get you stitched up and back to normal as quick as possible. One fear patients have after suffering a cut wound is the risk of infection. There are a number of serious and possibly life-threatening number of infections ...
" The weather outside is getting frightful, which must mean we’ve entered the winter season. For people with all skin types, it can be a lot more challenging to keep skin healthy and moisturized in the cold, unforgiving air outside and the dry, punishing heat inside. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense when it comes to preventing illness, so keeping it healthy can directly influence how you feel all winter long ...
" The fever isn’t one specific illness, it’s a common symptom of many different infections. Fevers are defined by an abnormal rise in the body’s temperature, which is sustained over an increased period of time. There’s no set-in-stone temperature that serves as a benchmark, though. Thus, people have constructed their own individualized definition of a fever – with varied temperatures serving as the fever’s unofficial lower-limit. The body’s standard temperature is ...
" It’s the most wonderful time of the year — that is unless your Christmas tree causes you to have an allergic reaction. More than one third of American households will put up a Christmas tree during the holiday season, and if you find yourself sneezing with a runny nose and itchy eyes once the tree is up, you might have a case of “Christmas tree syndrome” — an allergic reaction to your tree, real or artificial ...
