The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that around 34.2 million people living in the United States smoke. During American Heart Month, it’s important to learn the effects smoking can have on not just your health, but specifically on your heart health. Why Do People Smoke? People start smoking for a number of reasons. While most people start during their teenage years for the cool factor, they continue to smoke because of ...
The much-dreaded flu season is here, which means it’s time to protect yourself against the virus and common myths that surround it. Every year these misconceptions surface and spread…well…like a virus. Flu myths such as these are equally as harmful as they are false, so don’t let misinformation about the flu and the preventative vaccine blind you from the truth! Instead, turn to the physicians you trust at AFC Urgent Care ...
The summer equinox, also known as the longest day of the year, was June 20, and the rest of summer is looking pretty bright. With the sun shining that much, most people will be applying more sunscreen than usual. But here at AFC Urgent Care, we know that you need just as much sunscreen on cloudy days and during the winter as you do now. Sun damage can sneak up on your skin if you ...
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and those celebrations bring green beer and pub crawls. This St. Patrick’s Day, the team of physicians at your local AFC Urgent Care wants to raise your awareness of binge drinking and the harmful effects that it may have on your health. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings the blood ...
Summer is prime time for beach action, and for good reason! The surf and the sand are so much easier to enjoy when it’s warm enough to play in them. But there are some risks you might not know about lurking in the depths. As we reach the end of Rip Current Awareness Week on June 5 through June 11, 2016, it’s important to remember to practice safe beach behaviors any time you ...
Summer might be fun, and spring is lovely, but the best season has got to be fall. The changing leaves, the brisk winds and the warm fires bring everyone closer, and the leisure activities can’t be beat. Over a third of Americans list fall as their favorite season, blowing all of the other seasons out of the water. However, fall requires a change of habits to stay healthy, especially as the days grow shorter ...
People who suffer from seasonal allergies are bracing for what is expected to be an early and long allergy season. They know that scratchy eyes and drippy noses are about to make an appearance. They are waiting, with tissues in hand, for the season to pass and their symptoms to subside. While proper medical treatment offers long-term care and comfort to those who battle seasonal allergies, there are also easy lifestyle changes that can help ...
Spring is in the air! There is no need to worry about the flu, right? Unfortunately, even during the spring season, you can still catch the flu. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to stay safe this spring by learning the signs of the flu, as well as ways to prevent the illness in the first place. How Long Does the Flu Last? If you’ve ever had the flu, you know ...
Our skin changes all the time, especially as we age. However, when a mole changes, it could signal a health concern. During National Healthy Skin Month this November, our team at AFC Urgent Care Portland wants you to know when you should be concerned about a mole on your skin. Is It Normal to Get New Moles? For children, it is extremely common to get a new mole. When you’re older, though, it could ...
Maintaining your health not only takes determination, it can cost money. Fortunately, even with a tight budget, there are some affordable purchases you can make to help protect your health. Here are 6 minor investments that can lead to a healthier you. 1 – Invest in your eyes Get sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays, preferably with 100% UV protection. This minor investment can help reduce your risk of eye damage, including cataracts. Bonus ...
Nighttime fireworks shows, long stays at summer camp, family vacations and the late sunsets of summertime are some of the many joys your child may have experienced during their summer vacation. But getting to take part in these fun-filled moments over the past few months may also mean your child was allowed to have some later bedtimes than normal. Now that school is back in session, you may be wondering how these late bedtimes over ...
Injuries can happen when you least expect them — and they can be disorienting and chaotic when they do occur. You may be in too much pain to help yourself, or it may be during a time when your primary care doctor’s office is closed. So how can you get help when you need it? And what can you do to treat the injury on your own? Find out what to do in the event ...
It might seem like a cold at first, but with over half (54.6%) of U.S. residents estimated to test positive for at least one or more allergens, that stuffy nose might actually be allergies. Since it can be hard to tell, here’s what you need to know about seasonal allergies, and what can be done to reduce or eliminate your symptoms this year. Question: What is an allergy? Answer: An allergy is ...
Keeping kids healthy at the start of a new school year can be a daunting task. They’re playing, making new friends, and coming into close contact with a large number of people on a daily basis. You can’t always stop your kids from getting sick, but you can help increase the odds of staying healthy by reminding them about these commonsense tips that really do help. Healthy Hands; Happy Home Children of all ...
Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its internal temperature and becomes dehydrated. The causes and symptoms are very recognizable and luckily, preventable. Causes of Heat Exhaustion: Physical exertion in warm, high- humidity weather Dehydration Alcohol use, drug use, or smoking Certain medications and illnesses can increase risk Children and the elderly are at higher risk Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion: Profuse sweating Dizziness or lightheadedness Pale, cool, clammy ...
If you’ve gotten your flu shot already, great job! You’re much better protected against getting the flu this flu season. And if you still haven’t gotten your yearly flu shot yet, there’s no time to waste! Protecting yourself against the flu is vital to your health, as well as the health of those around you, and as we approach peak flu season you’re more likely than before to catch the ...
If your child plays team sports through their school, you are probably looking forward to cheering them on during their season, and planning out your schedule around their practices. But have you planned for their sports physical yet? The pre-participation sports physical is required almost universally in the United States. Sports physicals help prevent risk and assess the health and fitness of children to ensure the activity will be healthy for them. Here’s why ...
In a specialized area of medicine that requires a significant amount of advanced training in both the treatment and prevention of injury, a Sports Medicine Specialist can often help patients minimize the effects of a debilitating injury. With a goal of reducing an individual’s time away from work, sports or other physical activities, the services that a Sports Medicine Specialist performs ultimately helps keep people healthy, happy and doing the things in life they ...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control says that about 610,000 Americans die each year from heart disease- that is 1 in every 4 deaths. It may sound grim, but there is good news. From 2003 to 2013, the death rate from heart disease fell about 38 percent. Even with the reduction, the number of people affected is still too high. The leading cause ...
February is American Heart Month! This month is designed to raise awareness about heart health and heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among both American women and men. Let’s take a few minutes to talk through some risk factors for heart disease, as well as how you can change your eating habits to promote good heart health. What Risk Factors Are Associated With Heart Disease? When it comes to heart disease ...
