Recent Blog Posts

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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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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The United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world. As different as we may seem, our health issues can be very similar. Health care trends tend to be pretty consistent across large swaths of the population, so it’s important to pay attention when one becomes widespread. Your local AFC Urgent Care can advise you on which conditions should concern you and how to take action to prevent them. The No ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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February is American Heart Month, which strives to educate Americans about the dangers of heart disease and the steps that you can take to minimize its risk. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, as about one-out-of-four deaths can be attributed to heart disease each year.  While the heart naturally ages and weakens, you can significantly slow down this process and improve the wellness of your heart by following ...

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Did you know? According to the National Kidney Foundation, it is estimated that one in 10 people living in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in their lifetime. What Is the Main Cause of Kidney Stones? A kidney stone occurs when crystal-forming substances (like calcium and uric acid) stick together rather than dilute. Kidney stones, then, are hard masses of those substances that form inside the kidneys. They may affect ...

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Even though summer is slowly coming to an end, grilling will continue to be a popular way to cook for many weeks to come. Grilling is a great way to prepare food while enjoying the outdoors…but it is not without risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2014 alone, over 16,000 people visited the emergency room for injuries sustained while grilling. And with continued fair weather, the number of grilling ...

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Did you know that the heart beats almost 2.5 billion times over an average person’s lifetime? That is a lot of beats! Our team at AFC Urgent Care wants you to know how you can keep every beat going strong by taking steps to improve your heart health. How Can You Strengthen Your Heart? Although not everything is within our control, when it comes to our heart health, some things are in our ...

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and AFC Urgent Care encourages you to stop in to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations. As the best defense against many serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases, it is recommended that people stay current with vaccines. Take the time, either during your annual checkup or during a specific visit just for vaccines, to learn more from your healthcare provider or primary care physician. Vaccinations Can ...

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Although it’s strongly recommended for preventing the flu, getting a vaccine is not the only way to protect yourself from the flu. What you eat every day can also keep you from getting sick. Next time your headed to the store, add these 5 Flu Fighting Foods to your grocery lists to help fight the flu this year. 5 FLU FIGHTING FOODS GARLIC – Garlic contains allicin, a compound that is known to boost immunity ...

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According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Inc., irritable bowel syndrome (also known as IBS) affects approximately 25 to 45 million Americans. Are you one of them? Who Gets IBS? While anyone can get IBS, there are some groups of people who are at a higher risk than others. Women, people under the age of 50 and those who have a family history of IBS are most at risk for the disease that affects ...

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