" Are pesky mosquitoes making you a part of their main course this summer? Whether in the comfort of your home or while traveling abroad, it’s important to protect yourself from mosquito bites not only because they cause itchy and annoying hives but, because they pose a major risk to your health. It may be impossible to completely avoid mosquitoes but that doesn’t mean they have to ruin your summer or threaten your health ...
" Do you know how to protect yourself from poison ivy? It may be the difference between a summer of fun in the sun and a summer disrupted by itchy, red, and irritated skin. The leaves and stems of poison ivy plants are coated in a clear oil named Urushiol which causes an allergic reaction within 12-72 hours of skin contact. Reactions cause bumpy, itchy, red, and inflamed skin that typically lasts 12 – 20 days without ...
" This time of year black legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks, are an unwanted guest. This year, as we saw last year, we are experiencing an especially bad tick season. Here in the northeast deer ticks are especially a threat as they can cause Lyme Disease. What is Lyme Disease? Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferiand and is spread to humans by ticks. Ticks (a parasite) survive by finding a ...
" After our last Medical Minute on differentiating between sprains and broken bones, we thought it made sense to follow it up with how to assess when one might need stitches. Stitches are used to mend and join together skin after an injury. They’re necessary in some instances, but not in all. If there is a cut with an open wound it is always advisable to go to the doctor, or come on into our ...
" Strolling the streets of Paris or taking in the scenery in the Greek islands are great ways to spend a summer vacation abroad. But with all the memories you’ll be making, don’t make the mistake of getting sick. Going abroad comes with its own set of health dangers, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a comprehensive list of diseases to be wary of. But if you don’t anticipate coming ...
" It’s been nearly one year since the doors of AFC Urgent Care Stamford opened at 3000 Summer Street in Stamford, CT. In this short time we’ve been able to provide quality urgent care for hundreds of patients of all ages – from toddlers to senior citizens. In celebration of over one year of keeping our community healthy, happy, and safe, we’re offering discounts on all physicals at our urgent care center this June ...
" It is spring, finally! Everyone is eager now to get out and play and the kids are in the midst of spring sports season. Baseball, soccer and lacrosse are not only popular spring sports but they are also known for injuries, often times to the leg, ankle or foot. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if the injury is a sprain or a broken bone. How do we know? To be clear, a fracture and ...
" Allergies be worse than usual this year in Stamford and the rest of the northeast. The thinking, according to our providers, is that it is because of this years’ harsh winter and massive amounts of snow. Those with seasonal allergies are now paying the price. As the last of the snow melted, later into the spring than most years, an excessive amount of moisture has been in the air, leading to increased counts of mold ...
" If you’re one of nearly 100 million Americans who visit the emergency room at least once a year for a medical condition or injury, you know the difficulty of long wait times, uncomfortable environments, and high-costs. Unfortunately, few people know that 60-80% of annual hospital emergency room visits are non-life threatening and can be easily diagnosed and treated using an alternative venue of medical care. AFC Urgent Care Urgent Care in Stamford, CT is ...
" While some people are still shoveling snow, many Americans are facing yet another blow from the weather just in time for spring – a sudden explosion of pollen for what’s expected to be a particularly nasty allergy season. March has yet to go out like a lamb, and we at AFC Urgent Care can already tell that this month’s wacky weather is wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers, as our centers are already seeing patients ...
" For those entering the country, AFC Urgent Care Stamford is now able to offer simplicity to the often complex process of the health care component of international travel, and the immigration and citizenship process. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires physicals for all visa, refugees, and adjustment of status applicants. These are used to see if there is any health conditions that may need attention. These exams must be completed by a ...
" Throat infections are common this time of year. The question is, is it strep throat, or just a viral sore throat? Here are 5 signs that you might have strep throat * Fever *White spots at the back of the throat *Fatigue *Body aches *Swollen glands In short, you will often feel as though you have the flu, rundown, achy and feverish. Not every strep infection will include these symptoms but the majority usually does. At ...
" Feeling blue? This has been a record breaking cold winter, with ongoing below freezing temperatures, which can lead to seasonal affect disorder, depression, or winter blues. Adding vitamins to your diet can help. B vitamins are major contributors to how the brain and nervous system function, so getting proper nutrients in the diet can improve mood immensely. B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, have been shown to help those suffering from anxiety or depression. Adding nutritional ...
" Children’s small bodies lose heat significantly faster than adults. They also are known to ignore the cold for the sake of having fun and lack the judgment to get out of the cold when they should. This all makes your child at high risk for developing frostbite, a condition in which the skin and underlying tissues freeze. Keeping your child safe this winter is up to you as the parent or caregiver. Luckily, you ...
" Baby it’s cold outside! Due to the freezing temperatures that are occurring this winter, we thought this was a good time to discuss hypothermia, so that you can keep you and your loved ones safe when outdoors. Let’s start with the basics: What is hypothermia? Hypothermia is having abnormally low body temperatures, usually caused by prolonged exposure to the cold. The body is losing more heat than it can produce. The body’s ...
" February can be a bleak month, filled with gray, dreary days and chilly, blustery nights. While the chill in the air can’t be blamed for bugs going around the office or school, the cold itself can irritate the body, causing minor ailments. Each winter season, doctors here at AFC Urgent Care find more and more patients complaining of some common winter issues, in addition to colds and flu. Topping the list of patient complaints ...
" Now that winter is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to remind people about winter safety tips. Though people of all ages enjoy the fun of skiing and snowboarding each winter, the risk of injury – whether minor (cuts, strains, and fractures) or severe (head, neck, and spinal damage) – is very high. Luckily, a few easy winter safety tips are all you need to catch big air without getting in big trouble. Take a ...
" The cost of healthcare is at an all time high and continues to rise over time. Tax penalties for non-coverage are set to increase in addition to the price of self-pay hospital visits, prescriptions, exams, and other healthcare services. Being uninsured can cost you thousands of dollars per year. Luckily, ConnectiCare is here to provide individuals, families, employers, providers, and producers in Connecticut with affordable, comprehensive health insurance. Join AFC Urgent Care Stamford and learn ...
" January is a great month to focus on women’s health. It’s a new year, and time for a new start, health-wise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on cervical cancer prevention and raises awareness about the benefits of folic acid to kick off 2015. At AFC Urgent Care, we thought we’d piggyback on those topics and offer a checkup checklist just for women. Women are at risk for a number ...
" Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a scary report, outlining the severity of the flu this year. Due to an uptick in deaths attributed to the flu, the CDC declared the flu had reached epidemic status. While that sounds serious, there are still ways for you to ward off the flu and stay healthy this season. The flu is particularly troublesome for children under 5 — and especially under 2 — and for adults ...
