Recent Blog Posts

Fexofenadine, loratadine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine are the four most popular medications used to treat allergies. These medications are antihistamines, which help to block the action of histamine, a chemical released in the body which causes an allergic reaction.  Although these medications are all antihistamines, there are some differences between them. Fexofenadine (most commonly sold as “Allegra”) and loratadine (most commonly sold as “Claritin”) are both long-acting medications, meaning that they can last up to 24 ...

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Spring brings the first warm days of the month for Portlanders and is a sign that warmer weather is just around the corner. What’s another sign you may ask? The constant sniffling, sneezing, and hay fever, all the  signs that allergies are upon us. When you want to go out and enjoy the great weather, you can’t do so without the aid of your go-to allergy medication, eye drops, nasal decongestant, or whatever ...

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Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...

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A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery.  If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...

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Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that is important for maintaining a healthy body. It’s known for its powerful antioxidant properties and ability to boost the immune system. Vitamin C helps repair and regenerate tissues in the body. It aids in the absorption of iron, and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. It is also necessary for the production of collagen, a protein that helps ...

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Local urgent care centers in Portland OR, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room.  Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...

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You may think that getting sick is just something that comes along with the cooler months, but boosting your immunity can greatly reduce your chances of illness all year round. Staying up to date on vaccines, eating a healthy diet, properly hydrating, taking beneficial supplements, exercising regularly (even a little bit), and reducing stress can increase the function of your immune system. Find out how these simple actions can have a positive impact on your ...

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As kids, many of us went to the doctors for our annual wellness exams, but as we grow older we tend to overlook and skip these exams. Your annual wellness exam is very important and only grows more important as you age. These exams also allow you to get the necessary health screenings and services that help you understand yourr general health standing. When you get your annual wellness exam done, it allows you to ...

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What is an urgent care clinic? And how does it differ from the emergency room? When should you go to the emergency room, and when should you go to an urgent care center? Whatever questions you may have, AFC has the answers.    What Is An Urgent Care Clinic? Urgent care is the level of healthcare that lies between your primary care physician (PCP) and the emergency room. When you go to urgent care, you can ...

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Portland, OR — American Family Care (AFC), the nation’s largest provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine, is pleased to announce it now offers virtual services. This convenient solution will serve rural communities where typical urgent care is unavailable or for individuals who simply do not want to come into the clinic. While this does not replace in-person visits for laceration care or blood tests, it will cover a host of other ...

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Diabetes is a disease that impacts millions of Americans every day. According to the American Diabetes Association, it is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2015, 30.3 million Americans suffered from diabetes, and approximately 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in America alone. While there is no cure for diabetes yet, there are teams of researchers working hard to help people fight and manage this disease ...

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If ever there were a time during the year that all workers dread, it has to be flu season. Sniffling coworkers, wheezing kids and running out of tissues or hand sanitizer can make the months of flu season extremely stressful, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who remains healthy. Every year, American businesses lose billions of dollars in sick days and lost productivity. Experts estimate the economy will lose about about $20 ...

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Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus — and to be honest, if you’ve never experienced the flu before, then consider yourself extremely lucky! This combination of upper respiratory congestion, fever, cough, sore throat, and nausea/vomiting is something that can knock even the healthiest person off their feet for a few days at the very least. Now that “cold and flu season” is well ...

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November is National Healthy Skin Month, which is a perfect time to discuss a common skin condition that many Americans face—psoriasis. In fact, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, approximately 125 million people worldwide have the condition. Let’s take a close look at this skin condition that affects so many and how people with psoriasis can find relief. What Is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes itchy patches of raised ...

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National Healthy Skin Month is in November. Did you know that the skin is your body’s largest organ? During this month, our team at AFC Urgent Care wants you to know why skincare is so important, as well as what steps you can take to establish a skincare routine that works for you! Why Should You Care for Your Skin? Of course we want our skin to be as healthy as possible for years ...

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Summer is a busy time for urgent care centers. Knowing what some of the most common summer injuries are can help you avoid them. With vacations, backyard barbecues, fireworks shows and more to look forward to, there’s lots of fun to be had during the warm summer months. But while you’re having a blast with your family and friends, it’s important to be aware of the safety risks around you. What starts ...

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AH-CHOO! Oh, no! Are you starting to experience the symptoms of the flu? But, wait—you just got a flu shot, so how can you be experiencing flu symptoms? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to better understand how the flu vaccine works, as well as put an end to the myth about the flu shot giving you flu. Does the Flu Vaccine Work? Although researchers would like to think they have ...

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Chances are high that you have experienced a stomachache at some point in your life. Whether it is from eating too much, experiencing a stomach bug or just having a bad case of gas, a stomachache can happen at any time. But how do you know when you need to see a physician? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to know how you can improve your gut health, as well as ways ...

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If you’ve ever arrived at the emergency room with an urgent medical concern, you know how frustrating it can be to sit in a waiting room while you continue to suffer. Emergency rooms these days are just too overcrowded, and they often fail to treat the specific ailments that you are facing. Urgent care facilities have revolutionized the emergency care process, making it faster and easier to receive immediate medical attention. Emergency room visits ...

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Testing for STDs is becoming more convenient as the years go on and technology evolves. For those seeking test results quickly, fast STD testing is available in more ways than one. Many urgent care facilities offer fast STD testing and have hours that are more convenient to patients than their primary care physician. While 29% of primary care doctors are available after-hours, many patients simply cannot get to them when they need to. For this ...

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