Taking steps toward quitting an addictive habit can be really hard to do, but the rewards will always be worth it in the end! This is especially true when it comes to smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. Smoking is bad for your health in every way, so quitting will only directly benefit you and those around you. The longer you smoke, the higher the risk you run of developing certain dangerous and even ...
Getting sick is just a part of life, and many of us expect to contract a few mild to moderate illnesses throughout the cycle of a regular year. What many of us don’t assume, however, is that we will contract an STD. Did you know that one in five Americans will experience an STD in any given year? Sexually transmitted diseases are actually really common, so you may wind up wondering if you should ...
The summer season not only brings warm and sunny days—it also brings out the creepy crawlies! Insect bites and stings are a common part of the summer season, and that includes encountering ticks from time to time. If you are outside minding your own business and discover a tick on your body, try not to panic! Many ticks are just a nuisance, but you should still focus on getting it off your skin as ...
We all know what it’s like to get sick. Coming down with a cold, the flu or an infection is commonplace and, while it may be unpleasant, we know how to treat ourselves and feel better fast. That might not be the case when it comes to injuries! While scrapes and bruises from time to time are not a big deal, injuries like broken bones can be really painful and even a little scary ...
It is a blessing to age, but that doesn’t mean aging doesn’t come with challenges from time to time. Our bodies and minds change as we get older, and there’s nothing wrong with that! While some changes are inevitable, there are things you can do to help support your body and brain to make these changes a little easier. By keeping your brain engaged and challenged every day, you can support a ...
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 ...
Cancer is a serious and sometimes scary disease. Some forms of cancer are more common in certain populations, while skin cancer can happen to anyone at any time. Overexposure to the rays of the sun is the most common reason that skin cancer develops, and the cancer can appear on any part of your body. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team wants you to be aware of any changing spots on your skin, so we ...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person living in the United States passes away every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease. During American Heart Month this February, our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants you to know what steps you can take in order to live a healthier lifestyle so that you can promote a healthier heart for years and years to come! What Kind of Diet Helps Your Heart Health ...
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 ...
Getting sick can be a scary situation no matter what you are sick with. Our bodies all respond differently to illness and while one person might have minimal symptoms with a certain illness, you might react much differently. Infections range in severity, and it is important to keep an eye on how you are feeling. This is certainly true with a salmonella infection. Our AFC Urgent Care Gastonia team explains more about salmonella infections below ...
