Recent Blog Posts

" You’ve probably had that scratchy, itchy feeling. The one that starts in the back of your throat and suddenly turns into a painful burning sensation. Some people say it’s like trying to swallow broken glass. Now that’s a pretty vivid description of the common sore throat and if you have ever had one that bad then you’re not likely to forget it. Usually, a simple sore throat will come along with ...

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" With this year’s overwhelming flu activity reaching every corner of the nation, it’s important to remain educated on the potential hot spots and preventative measures to avoid flu-related germs. Doctor’s offices, school classrooms, the gym, and even your workplace are among the top culprits for contracting seasonal influenza. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American adult spends more hours during the week at their place of work ...

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" Doctors recommend adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, according to HuffPost, more than a third of Americans regularly do not sleep enough. That means that roughly 83.6 million adults in the U.S. alone are sleep deprived. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 34.8 percent of American adults get less than seven hours of sleep per night. Worse yet, 11.8 ...

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" The weather’s cold, the days are short, and the cold and flu viruses are running rampant. It’s likely that sometime this season, you’ll find yourself with a bit of a cough. Coughing is the body’s way of trying to clear your airways. It’s a natural occurrence and is rarely the sign of anything serious. The cause of a cough varies widely and so do the treatments, but it’s important ...

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" New Year’s resolutions fell by the wayside weeks ago (do you still do that?) and the cold and flu season has gripped the country in a vise that has been hard to shake. This time of year, the effort to live a healthy and balanced life can seem like a losing battle. Hey, don’t give up! Daffodils are sprouting. Spring is on its way. February is heart health month and Valentine’s Day ...

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" A drip, a scratch, a-choo, a stuffy nose and a cough. These are the tell-tale signs of the most common ailment in the world — the common cold. Between the drier air outside, which may make your nose drier and more vulnerable to a viral infection, and people spending more time together inside — whether at home, school or daycare — this is definitely the time of year cold season kicks into high gear, especially in children. In ...

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" The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, varies from year to year, both in terms of what type of flu is most common and how hard it hits various geographic locations. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is reporting widespread activity in nearly all parts of the United States. Gathering Data The weekly influenza surveillance report takes a snapshot of the flu and influenza-like illness (ILI) activity each week. The ...

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" If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve no doubt heard that the flu is sweeping the country this year. In fact, for the first time in 13 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the entire contiguous United States, excluding Washington DC, is showing widespread flu at one time! Getting a flu shot is a great way to protect yourself from a nasty illness, and for some at-risk ...

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It probably comes as no surprise that losing weight and getting healthy is high on the list when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. And like so many promises we make to ourselves, it’s usually easier said than done. At American Family Care clinics, we see the effects of obesity every day. High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are all commonly known side effects of obesity. But what might surprise you is ...

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" Winter months are setting in and flu season is ramping up. The easiest (and most effective) way to fight off the flu is to get your flu shot! Unfortunately, there are quite a few misconceptions about how the flu vaccine functions and the important role it plays in protecting your body. How the Flu Shot Works When you get sick, it is your immune system that fights diseases or infections to make you feel better ...

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" ‘Tis the season . . . don’t worry: we know that the holidays have passed, but flu season is still in full swing! In fact, it is reported that during in the 2017-2018 season flu activity has been greater than in prior years. That’s why it’s critical for people to be on the lookout for flu signs and symptoms. Obviously, our goal at American Family Care is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid the ...

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" Parents are being warned that their sweet little angels may actually be the face behind the flu. For a number of reasons, young children are generally more likely to spread the virus than are adults. Children usually have more contact with others, are undeniable germ magnets and tend have weaker immune systems, making them easy targets for the ruthless influenza virus. In addition to their natural susceptibility, only one in four children receives an annual ...

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" 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 medical providers you trust at AFC Urgent ...

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" Winter sports are fun but not always the safest activities. If you imagine yourself careening down a hill towards another skier or skating on the rink and then getting nailed by a hockey puck – well, you can probably see how and why plenty of cold-weather athletes wind up seeing a doctor unexpectedly. And you don’t have to imagine. Statistics make it clear how dangerous winter sports can be. According to the U.S. Consumer ...

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" A storm is brewing. Are you ready? Even if you’re reading this when the skies are sunny and blue, chances are, sooner or later, you’re going to be confronted with inclement weather. Maybe you live in a part of the country that’s visited by hurricanes or tornadoes. Perhaps you live in a snowbelt. If you’re in the West, maybe wildfires, earthquakes or dust storms are your concern. Whatever your variety of ...

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" November is National Diabetes Month, an event designed to bring attention to diabetes and the impact this disease has every day on millions of Americans. According to the American Diabetes Association®, Diabetes 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 ...

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" If you visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham this November, you might notice some of our male associates rocking a different look. In fact, you might begin noticing men around your town developing a sudden fondness for facial hair — particularly the moustache. It’s no coincidence that men are suddenly sporting an upper lip with zip this November. That’s because there’s a global movement to recognize November as “Movember,” and it’s all for ...

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"   The colder months are nearly here, which means it’s time to prepare yourself to fight against the flu. Catching the flu is quite a taxing ordeal, almost always resulting in having to call out sick from work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has done studies that show there is a notable spike in illness-related work absences each year during flu season. Get Your Flu Shot Failing to get your flu shot is setting you ...

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" It never seems to fail! By the time the new school year rolls around, and just as you’re getting your new family routine in place, somebody gets sick. Pretty soon, everyone’s back in the bed battling who knows what and your routine is out the window. Nobody likes to be stuck at home sick, and the consequences can be more stressful than just a blown schedule. With the pace of academics these days ...

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" Eating fresh produce is always a good idea when it comes to your health, but eating in-season fruits and vegetables can be even more beneficial for your well-being. A diet rich in produce can help reduce the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even some forms of cancer. By eating seasonally, you’ll get the full nutritional value of the produce and ingest less chemicals, all while saving money and ...

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