Recent Blog Posts

" With flu season right around the corner, many families are doing whatever they can to protect themselves. For many families, simple prevention from handwashing is something that is overlooked. Proper handwashing techniques should be used all year round, but now is a great time to begin implanting good habits in yourself and your children. How Often Should You Wash Your Hands? Your hands should be washed often, but there’s no specific answer to this ...

Read more..

" Childhood vaccinations have been a hot topic issue lately, but knowing the facts should be your first focus. Many parents are unsure of why vaccinations are so important, how they can affect your child, and how to go about getting their child vaccinated. These are a few of the most important pieces of information you need to know before getting your child vaccinated. What are Vaccinations? Vaccinations are a way to protect your child and ...

Read more..

" Taking your child for regular eye vision testing is important not only for their eye health but for their performance in school as well. Knowing what age to begin taking your child to get eye vision testing, how often to take them, and what that testing includes can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s review some of the basics you need to know about eye vision testing for your child ...

Read more..

" Be mindful When it is finally summertime again the first thing everyone wants to do is go out and enjoy the weather! Sometimes we forget to pack sunscreen or think about how long we will be exposed to the suns rays. Did you know getting sunburn twice a summer can increase your chances of getting melanoma skin cancer by three times? Sunburn should not be taken lightly here’s what you need to know about ...

Read more..

" Why are physicals important? Have you ever thought about why physicals are even necessary every year for your child? The truth is they are! Children & Teens go through a lot of changes each year as they grow and develop. A physical is a checkup that makes sure your kids are developing normally. Physicals catch any health complications that may have started throughout the year. Why do schools require physicals? Physical requirements do vary depending on ...

Read more..

" After being cooped up in the house all winter, it’s only natural to want to get outside with family and friends and enjoy some outdoor recreation. That usually means a tasty meal cooked on an outdoor grill with plenty of cool drinks to wash it all down. As carefree as it might sound, it’s not without a few risks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 16,600 patients sought emergency room ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

" Giving your child cough medicine seems like a natural and smart decision, and it is. You hear your little one coughing like they have the plague, and so you grab whatever you can find in the cabinet, whip out a spoon and tell your child to open wide. But be careful — you might be about to make things worse. Before you start pouring the medicine into a spoon or serving cup, even though it may ...

Read more..

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 ...

Read more..

" ‘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 AFC Urgent Care Swampscott is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid ...

Read more..

" 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 ...

Read more..

" 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 ...

Read more..

" 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 ...

Read more..

" 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 ...

Read more..

"   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 ...

Read more..