Recent Blog Posts

Asthma checks for kids Diagnosing asthma in children is important to ensure proper treatment and care of the condition. An untreated asthma condition could have life-threatening consequences throughout the life of your child. Understanding how asthma testing is performed is an important part of detecting the condition as early as possible. Let’s learn a little more about how asthma could be detected in your child. Taking A Closer Look at Medical History Before trying ...

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It is a very exciting time of the year for incoming college freshmen. Move-in day is very hectic, emotional & will be a day the whole family will remember forever. Make sure you don’t remember this day because of an injury you got that day!   Take these tips to help you make sure you stay safe on your child’s big move-in day. 1. Pack the car carefully When moving your child from home to ...

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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 ...

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It is summer time once again and although we can’t wait to get in the nearest body of water, sometimes we forget about the water inside our bodies. Our bodies are made up of 75% of water and require a lot of maintenance from us to keep them happy. When we fail to do this we get dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when we lose more water than we are putting into our bodies. There are ...

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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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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 ...

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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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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 to 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 ...

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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 AFC Urgent Care Beverly is to help everyone stay healthy and avoid ...

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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 physicians you trust at AFC Urgent Care ...

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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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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 yourself ...

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If your child is playing a sport this fall, it’s time to start thinking about a sports physical, also known as a Preparticipation Physical Exam (PPE). Before a player can compete, most schools and sports leagues will require a physical. Typically, there are two sections the PPE – a medical history review and a physical exam. Both parts are important and can help keep your child safe and healthy as they play their heart out ...

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and AFC Urgent Care Beverly would like to encourage you to stop in for a hassle-free checkup to ensure you and your family are up to date on your vaccinations. Immunizations are important for people of all ages and help prevent countless, often deadly, diseases. Vaccines are administered to stimulate your immune system so should you come in contact with that disease, your body is better prepared to ...

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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 ...

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Summertime temperatures can pose a threat for all – especially the elderly. Due to how the body naturally changes with age, older adults are at greater risk for heat-related injuries. Society harps on young adults for the importance of sunscreen, staying hydrated and other health precautions during the warm season, but have we truly considered how rising temperatures drastically affect the elderly? AFC Urgent Care Beverly wants you to be educated on the preventive measures, symptoms ...

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While you’re having your fun in the sun this summer, are you staying safe in the heat? Summer weather and more outdoor activities means there’s a higher risk of injury from things like sun exposure, dangerous insects, heat injury and more. Make sure you’re prepared for your summer fun by stocking up on these essential items that will keep you safe all summer long: Sunscreen When heading outside this summer, it’s ...

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Summer is a busy time for urgent care centers. Learn how you can avoid some of the most common summer injuries while you have your fun in the sun.   Summer is one of the most exciting times of the year! 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 ...

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Summertime – the kids are home with loads of free time! They may feel inclined to relax on the couch until school starts up again in the fall, but don’t let them miss out on the lively energy of those summer months. AFC Urgent Care Beverly encourages parents and kids to take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend some time getting active this summer. Here are several healthy activities that you and your little ...

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