Habits can be really hard to break. While some habits like reaching for a bottle of water instead of a soda can be a bit more manageable, quitting a lifelong habit like smoking is a much larger and more intensive task. Even though it may seem overwhelming or impossible, you deserve to live a smoke-free life! Smoking has no health benefits to you and only increases your risk of long-term health complications. Our AFC Urgent ...
Getting sick is a natural part of regular life, even if it is a bit frustrating or inconvenient. While you probably associate sickness with illnesses like colds or the flu, STDs should also be considered a part of this list. Even if thinking about STDs makes you uncomfortable, they are really common! One in five Americans experience one in any given year, making them one of the most common types of illnesses. Routine STD testing ...
We are in the heart of the summer here in the Charlotte area, and we are loving it! The warm weather, sunnier days and time spent with friends and family are priceless. However, that means tick season is still in high gear and we all must remain vigilant. The majority of tick bites aren’t dangerous, but there is always a chance that the tick that bites you is carrying Lyme disease. If you find ...
One minute you are busy running around the kitchen getting dinner together and the next, you turn suddenly and trip over your dog that you didn’t see laying on the floor. As you pick yourself up off the floor, you feel a searing pain in your wrist. Is it broken or just sprained? Getting hurt can be a scary experience no matter how it happens, but that’s why we are here! Our team ...
If you have a broken bone or a fracture, urgent care may be able to help. Learn the different types of fractures (broken bones), what we treat, and when to go to the ER vs. urgent care. How Do You Know a Bone is Broken? Every year, millions of people break a bone. Broken bones typically result from a trauma like a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Medical conditions such as osteoporosis or repetitive ...
While every day is different and brings its own experiences, it can be easy to fall into a relatively predictable routine. From work to dinner to chauffeuring your kids to games, practices or lessons, it can be exhausting! For many, plopping down on the couch in front of the TV after a long day becomes part of the routine. It is important to de-stress every day, but you should also make time often to engage ...
Cancer in any form is always scary. Certain forms of cancer are more common in certain populations, while skin cancer can affect anybody at any age. Skin cancer can often appear quickly, but the skin damage that was done to cause the cancer probably happened a while ago and was compounded over time. The most common cause of skin cancer is chronic overexposure to the rays of the sun and can develop on any part ...
Physical for sports exams, also known as pre-participation physical examinations (PPEs), help determine whether a person is physically fit to participate in organized sports activities. This physical exam aims to identify any possible medical conditions that could put the athlete at risk for severe injury or illness during practice or competition. Sports physicals are typically done annually, though some states may require more frequent exams based on age and the type of sport being played ...
It can be alarming whenever you see your young children in pain or not feeling well. After all, it is your job as a parent and caregiver to care for them! There are many reasons why your little one might be sick, and one of the reasons is commonly some type of infection. Anyone can contract a salmonella infection, including children and even young babies. This is happens when eating or drinking something that was ...
While it is possible to develop lower back and leg pain from COVID, there are also several other causes. As experts in urgent healthcare services, AFC in Ballantyne indicates why you might be experiencing back pain after COVID and explains some other reasons you might have lower back pain. Lower Back and Leg Pain from COVID Lower back pain is a possible symptom of COVID-19. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given ...
Spring is here, and that means so is tree and grass pollen! Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year, so this time of year may not be as welcomed by these folks. You can develop seasonal allergies at any point, but most people have their first flareup before age 20. That means it is certainly possible for your young children to develop seasonal allergies. If you are trying to determine if your child ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Ballantyne has answers, and treatment, for you. Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious viral disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but other viruses can also cause it. Also sometimes known as the “kissing disease,” mono is spread through saliva and can even be passed from person to person from sharing cutlery and utensils. According to the CDC, mono occurs mainly ...
The healthcare industry has evolved to include telehealth urgent care, an innovative technology that has made it easier for people worldwide to access healthcare virtually. This medical service offers faster urgent care visits through virtual appointments, providing services from physical exams to diagnostics, which allows healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely, providing care, support, and information from a distance. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility or transportation issues, with busy schedules ...
Ear infections are one of the most common infections to get, especially in young children. In fact, most children have at least one ear infection before they start kindergarten! Having ear pain is a classic symptom of an ear infection, but it doesn’t necessarily have to occur in order to have one. Check out our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team’s latest blog below to learn more about ear infections. Where Do Ear Infections ...
When the entire world dealt with the effects of the pandemic, each community and industry had to shift to either stay open or continue to provide a service. That certainly was the case with the healthcare industry! We are grateful for the perseverance of our community, and we are happy to share that the pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May! That means that certain processes and procedures that were in place ...
Getting enough sleep at night has more benefits than just avoiding excess sleepiness when your alarm goes off. In addition to helping you power through your day, it is crucial for maintaining your immune system and helping your entire body function better. Also, quality sleep is important for your mental health and can help you focus all day and even learn more efficiently. We love sleep! Our AFC Urgent Care Ballantyne team explains why you ...
Urgent care providers offer convenient, time-saving alternatives to visiting an emergency room for minor, non-life-threatening medical conditions. These healthcare centers typically have shorter wait times and offer services like X-rays, urgent treatment of colds and flu, sprains, strains, and fractures, on-site lab tests, and physicals. Urgent care centers provide efficient diagnoses of various health problems, ranging from minor to severe. Some are also equipped with on-site lab testing capabilities so that patients can get results ...
A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a frustrating ailment that causes a runny nose, congestion, swollen and/or itching eyes, a sore throat, headaches, and other symptoms. While there isn’t necessarily a quick sinus infection cure, there are certainly ways that you can ease your discomfort and speed up your recovery. If you’re suffering from sinusitis, know that you aren’t alone; approximately 90% of patients with colds have an element of viral ...
Local urgent care centers in Ballantyne, or family walk-in clinics, offer patients convenient and affordable urgent healthcare services. When you visit a family walk-in clinic, you can expect quick, quality care at a fraction of the cost of your local emergency room. Emergency rooms tend to be very busy and crowded and are associated with longer waiting times and higher fees. By going to a walk-in doctor’s office for a non-life-threatening illness or injury ...
Any time you have a deep or barking cough when you are sick, it can indicate that you have developed some sort of upper respiratory infection. Bronchitis and pneumonia are both infections that can start with similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell what you are suffering from on your own. It is important to remember that most upper respiratory infections stay mild to moderate and never require professional medical attention. People with ...
