When a medical problem arises that requires attention, you have a couple of options. You can go to your primary care physician, go to the emergency room, or go to an urgent care center. Determining which of these options to choose can often be a confusing process, though. But what is urgent care, anyway? Fortunately, the answers aren’t too difficult to find. What is urgent care? These facilities are walk in health clinics, and ...
We all experience stress at some point in our life. However, when stress plays a role in our daily lives more often than not, that is when stress can begin to take a toll on our overall health. Our team at AFC Urgent Care want you to learn the signs of stress, as well as ways you can better manage symptoms. How Does Stress Affect Your Health? While some might just assume stress affects your ...
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently reported that STDs are on the rise for the first time since 2006. They have seen rises in three sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, gonorrhea,and syphilis. The biggest hike was in syphilis, which was up 15% since 2013. Costing the U.S. $16 billion annually, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are responsible for over half of all new STDs each year. And now ...
The debate on whether a walk in clinic such as urgent care is really the same as an emergency room has been going on for quite some time now. Many say that emergency care can only be sufficiently provided within the confines of an emergency room, but others argue that urgent care centers are the answer to the problem of ER overcrowding. So which side is right? Read on for a few questions to ask ...
The Oregon Health Authority recently reported a shocking statistic: Sexually transmitted diseases make up two thirds of all reported diseases in Oregon state. Even more troubling, those numbers are on the rise. The most common STD reported today is chlamydia, which also continues to be Oregon’s most commonly reported disease overall. Physicians have also seen an unexpected and drastic increase in syphilis cases, from less than 30 infections in 2007 to 537 cases in ...
Ouch, my back! While back pain can happen to anyone at any time, here are the main causes of back pain, as well as steps you can take to find relief! How Common Is Back Pain? According to the American Chiropractic Association, around 80% of people living in the United States will experience back pain at some point during their lifetime. While some back pain could be due to a recent strain or another minor ...
So, imagine you or someone you know has just suffered an injury of some kind after dinner — one that warrants medical attention immediately. Perhaps you’ve even been in this situation before. Typically, you have only a few options on how to proceed, but all of them require you getting care as soon as you can. Continue imagining that your primary care physician’s office is closed for the day, and they cannot be reached ...
Mother knows best when you’re growing up, but even the most informed and well-meaning mothers sometimes gave us advice that we later discovered wasn’t quite right. We here at AFC Urgent Care took a list of some of the most popular pieces of motherly health advice and evaluated them. Read on to find out which pieces passed muster, and which ones we can leave behind! Put hydrogen peroxide on that scrape! Verdict: Not ...
Now that summer is in full swing, it is more important than ever to stay diligent when it comes to your health. The last thing you would want to happen is to be stuck inside during those gorgeous days where you could be outside soaking up the sun and chilling with your friends, so here are some common summer illnesses you should be aware of, and how to prevent them. 1. Swimmer’s Ear This ...
October is arguably the best month of the fall season… but October is also the start of cold and flu season, and that means plenty of sniffles and runny noses, chapped hands, and even a nasty case of the flu. The best way to protect yourself from the common cold and influenza virus is to take as many preventative measures as possible, and who better to ask for advice than the people working at your ...
In the event that we, or someone we know, gets hurt, obtaining the proper medical attention in a reasonable time is everyone’s concern. The first thing most of us think of is traveling to emergency services such as hospitals or primary care physicians. However, some injuries do not always require these specialists and can be addressed by walk in health clinics and urgent care facilities. Having trouble deciding whether or not to visit an ...
Let’s face it. Thinking you might have an STD is scary. With just 29% of primary care doctors available to patients after-hours, you may panic at the thought of waiting to be tested. Luckily for you, there are more options available, such as urgent care services, that can test you when your doctor cannot. Here are some common questions often asked by those who think they may have an STD along with informative answers ...
For most of us, exercising and eating healthy is sometimes easier said than done. Fortunately, there are options available to let you know that it doesn’t have to be this way. For one thing, walking does not get the credit it deserves for being the perfect way to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. One of the most common suggestions made by medical professionals at emergency walk in clinics is for patients to walk more often ...
Imagine this: you’re hurt or sick, but you’re not sure if you need medical attention right away. Should you treat your symptoms at home? Should you make an appointment with your primary care physician? Should you go to the emergency room? Of course, this depends entirely on the severity of your medical condition and the associated pain. Your first thought may be to visit your regular doctor; after all, she knows your medical ...
At the start of every new year, we all make resolutions to improve our health and our daily lives. But often, in the hustle and bustle of the new year, we end up forgetting or neglecting our resolutions, and which makes our goals that much harder to accomplish. This year, why not break from that pattern, and choose resolutions that will have a big impact on your life without taking an enormous effort? Choosing high-impact ...
By December, many people feel like it’s too late to get their flu shot. Flu season has started, and if they didn’t get their flu shot in the fall, they’re certainly not going to find time for it during the busy holiday season. But the truth is, as long as people are still getting sick with the flu, people should still be getting the flu shot. If you haven’t gotten your ...
Coughing, sore throat and fever, oh my! Your child is definitely sick, but with what? The cold and flu viruses can often be tricky for parents to tell apart because many of the symptoms are the same, but there are several signs that your child has more than just a cold. Here’s what to look for: Fever If your child has the flu, it will often be accompanied by a high fever. A child ...
A cough can come on for a number of reasons. Whether signaling irritation or chronic bronchitis, a cough can be your body’s way of getting rid of an irritant or infection. What Symptoms Can Accompany a Cough? When you experience a cough, you might also suffer from a number of other symptoms. That’s because a cough usually occurs as part of a larger illness, such as a cold or the flu. For starters ...
According to the Urology Care Foundation, UTIs lead to around 8.1 million healthcare visits each year. During Bladder Health Month this November, our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland want you to know the signs to look for when it comes to having a UTI, as well as ways you can treat the infection as soon as possible! How Do You Know If You Have a Urinary Tract Infection? There are a number of ...
Although ear infections are most common in children who are age 7 or younger, teens and adults can experience the symptoms of an ear infection, too! No one wants to deal with the sometimes-agonizing pain of an ear infection. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland would like to share some tips on how to find relief sooner rather than later. Can I Treat My Earache at Home? Earaches can be the ...
