It may be hard to believe it as summer winds its way down, but the start of flu season will be here before you know it. To avoid that pesky—and potentially dangerous—seasonal illness, a flu shot is your best defense. But why do you need one each year? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to shed some light on the topic. Why Is the Flu Shot an Annual Vaccine? You’re ...
No matter how happy we may be in life overall, stress is something that we will always have to deal with at one point or another. Whether it is a quick stressor or a long-term one, our bodies will respond to stress with adverse side effects that can compound the issue at hand. Thankfully, knowing how stress can impact the body and how to handle it can go a long way in keeping you healthier ...
While poison ivy, oak and sumac are often associated with the depths of the forest, during the summer months, they can grow and spread nearly anywhere. While there is 15% of the population that is not allergic, for the majority of people, it is a real concern. Most poison ivy rashes are not serious, but they are seriously uncomfortable and can last for several days—meaning if you are able to, practicing prevention when you ...
Because the number of cases of COVID-19 has seemingly dipped some in the last few weeks, it would be natural to think it’s no longer a risk. But that’s simply not true. As of June 1, more than 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19. That includes more than 24,000 Tennesseans alone. It’s still important to take action to protect your health and the health of our community. That ...
If you’ve turned on the news in the last few months, you probably know the basics of how to protect yourself against illness. Wash your hands often, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, limit your interaction with others outside the home, practice social distancing when around others and wear a mask in public. But did you know you can also take steps to protect yourself by keeping your immune system strong and healthy? Our team at ...
May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Did you know? There are currently 11 million people living in the United States who do not realize they are living with high blood pressure. That’s in addition to millions who have been diagnosed. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to share some insight about the main causes of high blood pressure, as well as steps you can take to help manage your blood ...
When we have been stuck indoors for most of March and April, we are probably all wanting to take advantage of every sunny day we can by getting outside, which is a good thing! Not only is the fresh air good for our mental health and mood, but we all need to ensure we are getting vitamin D on a daily basis. Unfortunately, when it comes to spending time outdoors, our spring allergies can quickly ...
We may be practicing social distancing and staying at home all the time, but that doesn’t mean that illnesses and injuries always stay away. If you experience a non-emergency medical condition and need medical attention, AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah is now offering an alternative to in-office care—AFC TeleCare. How Does Telemedicine Work? Telemedicine allows for physicians and patients to talk via a video connection in real-time. If you are experiencing a non-emergency medical ...
Did you resolve to live a healthier life in 2020? One of the biggest steps you can take toward that goal is to follow a healthy diet. But where do you start? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to understand the importance of eating a healthy diet, as well as steps you can take to fit more fruits and vegetables into your diet on a daily basis. How Does Eating Unhealthy Take ...
March is recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The month is designed to raise awareness about this type of cancer, which is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed among Americans. In recognition of this month, our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to share some information about this type of cancer, as well as things you can do to promote a healthy colon. Am I at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? The ...
World Sleep Day is March 13. In recognition of this day and National Sleep Awareness Week the second week of March, our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to understand the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep-related health issues. How Common Is Sleep Apnea? Very common, actually. Sleep apnea affects around 22 million people living in the United States. When a person has sleep apnea, breathing repeatedly stops ...
Are you feeling a little flushed? Or are you actually running a full-blown fever? A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, and it's often caused by some type of infection. Some fevers are very minor and go away on their own, but it's important to know when a fever could signal a need for medical attention. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to share some insight on the ...
It’s a sobering fact—heart disease is the leading cause of death among both American women and men. It causes one in four deaths, adding up to almost 700,000 each year. While there are some risk factors for heart disease that you cannot control, there are many risk factors that you can. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to talk you through two keys way you can benefit your heart health ...
For most of us, social media is a part of our daily routine. However, it can get to the point where it can function like an addiction, which is never a good thing! Could your health benefit from a little less time on social media? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to share some insight on the topic. How Does Social Media Affect You? Before we dig in to the poor qualities, social ...
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 450 million people worldwide living with a mental health disorder. So if you are one of them, you are far from alone! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to know how you can recognize the symptoms of a mental health issue, as well as how you protect your mental health in the first place. How Can I Tell If I Have a ...
You want to be able to enjoy the holiday feast without worrying about food poisoning. However, sometimes it just happens—even at our favorite holiday gatherings. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to know how to recognize the symptoms of food poisoning, as well as how to tell the difference between food poisoning and the stomach virus. Will Food Poisoning Symptoms Last for Days? Usually, a person will start to experience the ...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are around 100 million people living in the United States with either diabetes or prediabetes. Are you one of them? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to know the symptoms of diabetes, as well as ways you can prevent the condition in the first place. What Is Diabetes? Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar (or blood glucose) is elevated to an unhealthy ...
Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is almost here! This holiday is one of gratitude...but also often one of excessive eating. In fact, the average American eats 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants to arm you with some helpful information on staying at your healthiest this Thanksgiving. Why Is It Important to Eat Breakfast on Thanksgiving? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a ...
Did you know that interstitial cystitis is actually quite common among American men and women? In fact, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the bladder condition affects 3 to 8 million women and around 1 to 4 million men living in the United States. During Bladder Health Month, our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to know more about this common bladder condition. What Is Interstitial Cystitis ...
No one wants to be the person to get the flu. Especially with all the fun coming up with festivals and holidays, the flu can really put a damper on plans. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to consider getting the flu vaccine in order to protect yourself in the best way possible. How Does the Flu Vaccine Work? Each year, researchers reformulate the flu vaccine to protect against the three or ...
