" It’s the most wonderful time of the year — that is unless your Christmas tree causes you to have an allergic reaction. More than one-third of American households will put up a Christmas tree during the holiday season, and if you find yourself sneezing with a runny nose and itchy eyes once the tree is up, you might have a case of “Christmas tree syndrome” — an allergic reaction to your tree, real or artificial. The ...
" This year, about 50 percent of people in the United States will attend at least one holiday party. For about half of us, our employer will host a party for us. About 20 percent of us will even host our own. With those numbers, it’s easy to see a lot of potential pitfalls ahead. So don’t let yourself get caught off-guard, read this guide to see how AFC Doctors Express can keep you ...
" Turkey, pumpkin pie, loved ones and gratitude are hallmarks of the season. We sit around the table, poised to dive into tempting treats, and talk about our comfortable homes or new jobs or time spent with family. We are thankful. Being thankful means pausing to think about what is important in our lives, as well as why these things are important in our lives. As the words “I’m thankful for my health” cross your ...
" If ever there were a time during the year that all workers dread, it has to be flu season. Sniffling coworkers, wheezing kids and running out of tissues or hand sanitizer can make the months of flu season extremely stressful, even if you’re one of the lucky ones who remains healthy. Every year, American businesses lose billions of dollars in sick days and lost productivity. Experts estimate the economy will lose about $20 billion ...
" Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. One out of every 11 Americans has diabetes, and 86 million more are pre-diabetic. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the United States spends about $245 million every year on health care for people with diabetes, and recent projections have determined that as many as one in every three adults will have diabetes by 2050 if nothing changes. Type 2 ...
" The crisp air, the crunchy leaves, and the sniffles in our offices and classrooms give it away; it’s officially the beginning of fall. While the season may be beautiful, the flu that always seems to come with it is certainly not. To protect yourself this flu season, you need to know exactly how the flu operates, so you can separate myth from fact. Here are some of the most common myths about the flu ...
" It’s that time of year again. BACK to SCHOOL. The AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care center in Stoneham is your destinations for all your Back to School health needs. Does your child need a Sports Physical? We’ve seen this before. He shows up for the first day of practice, only to be told he cannot practice because the school requires a yearly Medical Clearance form. Your son or daughter is distraught that their ...
" We survived Boston’s snowiest winter and now with the warmer weather we get many visits and questions about tick bites. It is important for you and your family to take preventative measures against ticks especially from April-September when they are most active. Here are our recommendations for decreasing your risk of tick bites: Avoid areas where ticks are most abundant (wooded and bushy areas with high grass). Walk in the center of trails. Wear ...
" Break out the lunch boxes and the three-ring binders, back-to-school season is upon us again! Amid the mad dash for backpacks, pencil cases and the rapidly approaching school bus, it’s easy to forget about the health concerns of going back to school. Back-to-school time is also prime time for germs and bugs; an enormous number of children spend most of the day in close contact and touch a lot of shared surfaces (e.g ...
" Everyone’s heard it before. “We were stuck in the ER for hours.” It makes sense; your primary care physician might be booked till next Tuesday, but sudden illnesses and injuries can’t wait that long. So you shuttle your sick or injured loved one to an emergency room and wait. And wait. And … well, you get the picture. Here are some reasons why it might be a better idea to take a quick trip ...
" Strolling the streets of Paris or taking in the scenery in the Greek islands are great ways to spend a summer vacation abroad. But with all the memories you’ll be making, don’t make the mistake of getting sick. Going abroad comes with its own set of health dangers, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a comprehensive list of diseases to be wary of. But if you don’t anticipate coming ...
" A story making the news rounds caught our eye recently. A long-time tanning bed devotee posted a graphic selfie featuring her face with some pretty severe looking damage, which she said was a direct result of her time spent in tanning beds during her teen years. After being diagnosed with two types of skin cancer, the 20-something’s candid shot of her treatment has put a, well, face, on the disease and given others something ...
" Last week, we told you about a young woman who shared her graphic battle with skin cancer with the world. We brought you up to speed on the dangerous realities of tanning beds and the harm they can cause your skin. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the best ways to prevent skin cancer as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and ...
