Recent Blog Posts

Fall brings a welcome change of scenery to Oak Ridge. Cooler mornings, colorful foliage, school activities, community festivals, and family outings make it a wonderful time to reconnect with favorite seasonal traditions. However, autumn also marks a period when respiratory illnesses become an increasing concern.  Influenza, commonly called the flu, is one illness to watch as the respiratory season progresses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in its October respiratory update that ...

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Halloween is supposed to be spooky, silly, and maybe just a little bit chaotic in the best possible way. Between picking out the perfect costume, decorating the house, filling up candy bowls, and heading out for trick-or-treating, there is plenty for families in Oak Ridge to look forward to. October 31 is one of those nights when anything can happen and usually does!  A little preparation can help keep those unexpected moments from turning into ...

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Fall sports season keeps Oak Ridge moving. Soccer players race up and down local fields, football teams take the field under the Friday night lights, volleyball players fill the gym, and cross-country runners take advantage of cooler Tennessee mornings. Add cheer, golf, marching band, dance, and color guard, and there’s rarely a quiet weekend once the season gets underway.  In Oak Ridge, soccer is an especially familiar part of that fall sports landscape. The ...

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Fall in Oak Ridge brings a welcome change of pace after the heat of summer. School is back in session, Friday night football is underway, extracurricular activities are filling the calendar, and families are spending more time outside enjoying cooler days. Unfortunately, fall also brings an unwelcome seasonal visitor for many people: ragweed pollen.  If sneezing seems to pick up when the school year begins, or your eyes become itchy and watery after an afternoon ...

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The “dog days of summer” are traditionally considered the hottest and most humid stretch of the season, running from July through August. The phrase has ancient roots, tied to Sirius, the “Dog Star,” which appears in the constellation Canis Major. While Sirius doesn’t actually cause summer heat, the expression remains a fitting description for those sweltering late-summer days when staying cool and hydrated becomes especially important. Oak Ridge offers plenty of reasons to get ...

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After spending a beautiful day outdoors, the last thing anyone expects is to wake up the next morning feeling worse than they did the night before. Yet that’s often how sun poisoning begins. What started as a little redness after an afternoon outside can quickly turn into painful skin, fatigue, headaches, or even nausea several hours later. One of the most common questions people ask is, “How long does sun poisoning last?” The answer ...

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As families across Oak Ridge settle into the new school year, it's common to discover there's still one important item left on the checklist, a required school or sports physical. Between getting everyone adjusted to new routines, attending school events, and shuttling kids to after-school activities, finding time for another doctor's appointment can feel challenging. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be. At AFC Urgent Care Oak Ridge, families can walk in ...

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Warm weather has a way of pulling people outside in Oak Ridge. One weekend might mean tackling landscaping projects; the next could involve spending time on the water, exploring local attractions, or enjoying seasonal events with family and friends. But with more time outdoors comes one small seasonal inconvenience that seems to surprise people every year mysterious itchy rashes. If you have ever noticed redness, bumps, or intense itching a day or two after being ...

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Summer in Oak Ridge has a rhythm to it. Longer evenings, outdoor events, neighborhood gatherings, shopping trips, and weekends spent exploring local attractions tend to keep families outside well into the evening hours. And while warm weather is one of the best parts of the season, there is one summer visitor almost nobody invited: mosquitoes.  For most people, mosquito bites are annoying but manageable. A little itching, a small bump, and then life moves on ...

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Summer in Oak Ridge brings plenty of opportunities to stay active. Whether you’re attending community events around Historic Jackson Square, visiting the American Museum of Science and Energy, enjoying seasonal activities throughout Anderson County, or spending time outdoors with family, warmer weather is part of daily life in East Tennessee.  However, high temperatures and humidity can increase the risk of serious heat-related illnesses. Knowing how to recognize heat exhaustion and heat stroke can help ...

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There’s something special about summer evenings in Oak Ridge. As July approaches, neighborhoods throughout the area begin preparing for cookouts, patriotic gatherings, lake days, and community celebrations that bring families together year after year. From evenings spent near Melton Hill Lake to fireworks celebrations around A.K. Bissell Park, Independence Day in East Tennessee has a way of feeling both nostalgic and exciting at the same time.  This year’s Fourth of July feels ...

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Spring in Oak Ridge means more afternoons spent outside enjoying the warmer weather and East Tennessee scenery. Families head to Melton Hill Park for lakeside walks, hikers explore nearby Haw Ridge Park, and cyclists take advantage of the region’s beautiful greenways and trails. While outdoor season is one of the best parts of living in Oak Ridge, it also marks the return of tick season across Tennessee.  Ticks become especially active throughout East Tennessee ...

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From walking the trails at Melton Lake Park to staying active around town, life in Oak Ridge offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and stay busy. However, with that activity comes the possibility of unexpected injuries whether it’s a fall, a minor burn, or a sudden health concern that interrupts your day. In those moments, having a strong understanding of first aid basics can make a meaningful difference before professional care is ...

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Warm weather, longer days, and blooming flowers make it the perfect time to head outside and tackle those gardening projects you’ve been thinking about all winter. Whether you’re planting new landscaping from Home Depot’s Garden Center, pruning, or just tidying up your yard, gardening is a great way to stay active and enjoy the fresh air.  But before you dive in, it’s important to remember that gardening isn’t always as ...

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As the weather warms up, it’s easier to spend more time outdoors at games, at a park riding your bike, or just enjoying the day walking your dog. With that increase in activity also comes a higher chance of slips, falls, and the occasional bump to the head.  Head injuries can happen in an instant during sports, outdoor activities, or even routine daily tasks. While many bumps to the head are minor, some can ...

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a When spring finally arrives, many people are ready to get outside again. Warmer sunshine, blooming flowers, and fresh air make it the perfect time for gardening with new plants from Willow Ridge Garden Center, weekend walks, or simply relaxing outside on the patio at Calhoun’s.  But spring in the South also comes with something less pleasant, pollen season. As trees, grasses, and flowers begin to bloom, pollen levels rise and many people start ...

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Whether you’re trying to enjoy a rare warm winter’s day with your kids at an Oak Ridge Community Park or visiting a local jump park such as Sky Zone Trampoline Park to get rid of cabin fever, being aware of germs and illnesses may not be your primary concern. However, with the latest uptick of measles cases across the country, it may be a good idea to refresh your understanding of the incredibly ...

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After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, meeting up with friends, visiting with relatives, gift exchanges, and lots of great food; winter can seem never ending. The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and even though you may be embracing that New Years resolution to visit the local gym or get more steps in at the Melton Lake Park your mood may be low.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression ...

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During the winter months, many people try to find ways to stay entertained but out of the elements. One activity many turn to is going to see a movie. There are many movie theaters such as Cinemark Tinseltown Oak Ridge advertising new films for us to enjoy while eating popcorn in the comfortable, warm seats of the theater. However, public spaces, including movies, can also increase your risk of catching illnesses like norovirus, commonly known ...

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Whether you’re grabbing groceries at Kroger, attending a local school event, working out at Planet Fitness or enjoying a community gathering, everyday activities can increase your exposure to viruses like COVID-19. While many people think of COVID as only a respiratory illness, some infections begin differently; sometimes the symptoms include stomach issues. Understanding how COVID can affect your digestive system can help you recognize symptoms early and get the right care.  If you’re ...

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