If you have an addictive habit, you know how hard it can be to quit or take steps to reduce the habit in your daily life. Smoking is one of those addictions that can become a lifelong habit easily, and it can be really hard to give up. We understand that, but we also understand how harmful it is for your body, and we will always advocate for quitting the habit for good. Smoking negatively ...
I Have an STD, But I'm Not Sexually Active If you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but are not sexually active, there are a few reasons why this could be the case. "STD" refers to the constellation of diseases that result from a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For example, cervical cancer is an STD from the STI of HPV. Though it is possible to contract an STI even if you are not ...
Feeling sick can involve a lot of different symptoms that can be frustrating and often confusing, especially if you don’t know what is causing it. Thankfully, there are many different diagnostic tools available today that can help pinpoint specific illnesses in a matter of minutes. One of those reliable diagnostic tools is a full-service lab! We can run a wide variety of test right here in our center that can diagnose you faster and ...
Getting bitten or stung by bugs is never a fun experience, and we certainly are seeing many more bugs and creepy-crawlies out and about lately because of this time of year. While most bugs are minor nuisances and aren’t dangerous, some of them can cause uncomfortable symptoms or even serious allergic reactions. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team explains more about the bugs we typically come into contact with in the ...
Taking care of yourself includes taking care of your entire body. You know yourself best, so if you start to recognize symptoms that you aren’t familiar with, it may indicate the need to get tested for a variety of conditions. STDs are incredibly common in the United States and actually affect up to one in five people in any given year. Those are high odds, so you might find yourself in a position where ...
Getting older comes with many different perks and wonderful life experiences, but the possibility of losing your memory is certainly not one of them. It can be scary to think about forgetting your loved ones and your precious memories of a life well-lived. Unfortunately, dementia is a really common condition that affects more than 55 million people worldwide. While you can’t control your genetics, there are things that you can do to help reduce ...
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 ...
Avoiding injury is something that we all strive to do. Not only can injuries be painful, but they can disrupt your daily life while you are healing. While certain injuries like minor cuts or strains will heal on their own, more serious injuries like broken bones need to be treated in order to heal properly. If you suspect a broken bone after a particularly big fall or impact, come see us. Our center is fully ...
It’s not fair that food poisoning, and salmonella specifically, often appears after a fun dinner out with friends or after a home-cooked meal with your family! One minute you are enjoying a tasty meal and good company, and the next, you are doubled over in pain and looking for the nearest bathroom. Salmonella infections are a type of food poisoning that is found in contaminated food or water. Once ingested, it can make you ...
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 ...
Summer is right around the corner, and you know what that means! School will be out, kids will be running around and the warm summer sun will be shining down on us once more. While that thought may be exciting to many people, it is important to take precautions to prevent sunburns on yourself and your children. Even though the sun does feel nice on our skin, avoiding overexposure is critical for your long-term skin ...
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 Ooltewah 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 ...
If you have kids in your home, you know just how fast they grow! One minute they’re tiny newborns, and the next, you are chasing them around your house as they learn to walk. We all want to do right by our kids, and by providing them with a healthy diet, you are doing just that. A variety of nutrients is important for your children’s overall growth, but calcium is especially important for ...
So, what is mono, and what are the symptoms? American Family Care in Ooltewah 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 ...
Spring is here already—can you believe it? We are ready to embrace the warmer temperatures and beautiful sunny days, but those of us who experience seasonal allergies are not excited for the pollen! Seasonal allergies tend to reappear in the spring time as pollen from trees, flowers and weeds is more prevalent in the air. Thankfully, seasonal allergies aren’t life-threatening, but they can still be annoying. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team wants ...
The healthcare industry has certainly gone through some major shifts over the past few years. The pandemic changed the way we operated in virtually every way—literally! The pandemic’s emergency status is set to expire in May, and while that is good news, it will also change the way telemedicine operates. Thankfully, things won’t really change too much around here. The benefits of an in-person visit to AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah can’t ...
Ear pain can be caused by many different things, ranging from minor inconveniences to severe infections. If you start to notice mild pain or a feeling of pressure in your inner ear, keep an eye on your symptoms. One common reason for ear aches is an ear infection. If you are concerned about your ear pain, don’t hesitate to come in to see us for an evaluation. Our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team explains ...
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 ...
