How to Treat Hypothermia Baby it’s COLD outside! The recent frigid temperatures bring their own set of health issues. Hypothermia is one of them. What is Hypothermia? Hypothermia, simply stated, is when your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced when exposed to cold temperatures. In time, the cold will usurp your body’s stored energy and that results in hypothermia. Extremely low body temperatures can have a negative effect ...
In honor of Kidney Awareness Month, we have put together an in-depth blog on how to treat a Urinary Tract Infection. Initially, a UTI is not an infection of the kidneys, but left untreated it could become one. The kidneys filter 53 gallons of blood a day, keep your blood pressure in check, and even assists with the production of red blood cells. While these useful little organs spend their day happily performing their function ...
Many mark summer not by BBQs and pool parties but by the sudden increase in Mosquitoes. The saliva of these pesky, blood-sucking insects causes skin irritation upon contact, with red, itchy, swollen hives appearing within a few hours to a few days depending on their level of sensitivity. Whether you’re enjoying the summer at home or traveling abroad, it’s important to avoid mosquitoes as much as possible. Mosquitoes are not only irritating, mosquitoes ...
February is National Heart Month. Heart disease does not need to be your fate, even with genetic risk factors. There are always things you can be doing, especially if you are at risk for heart disease to help prevent heart disease or a heart attack. That being said, knowing the top warning signs of heart attack is critical for prompt diagnoses and treatment. Many heart attacks start slowly, unlike the dramatic portrayal we often seen ...
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 ...
<![CDATA[ Spring time means different things to different people. To parents of kids involved in spring sports, often times it can mean trips to the ER or urgent care center to treat a broken bone or sprained ankle. Spring sports like soccer, lacrosse and baseball, track and field and tennis all are breeding grounds for injuries: sprains, broken bones and concussions. Sometimes the extent of the injury is not clear cut. Not sure if its a break or a sprain? There are a few tips to distinguish between the 2, but of course if there is any lingering doubt one should always head to the doctor and get diagnosed and treated. A few things you should know: A sprain only affects soft tissue, never a bone. Therefore it won’t show up in an x-ray. Sprains can occur to ligaments, tendons or to muscle. A sprain can occur when you wrench or twist the ligaments of (an ankle, wrist, or other joint) so as to cause pain and swelling, not necessarily dislocation however. How to Treat a Sprain? Follow the RICE method: REST ICE COMPRESSION ELEVATE If, on the other hand there is any sort of deformity, as in bones protruding where they last were not, you should run, well, limp, to the closest ER and be x-rayed immediately. A break, or a fracture, can happen only to bone, not soft tissue. Bones will break, sprains will not. Occasionally it’s tough to tell which it is. If there is bruising and swelling and you’re unclear about whether it’s a break or a sprain, come into West Hartford where we will perform an x-ray on our state of the imaging equipment. There we can diagnosis and treat the injury. We’ll also make you a copy of the x-ray on a CD that you can bring to your orthopedist. Need a referral? We’ll get you that as well. Are you following us on Twitter? at @drxWestHartford and on Facebook? DoctorsExpressWestHartford]]>
We strive to keep you heart healthy. You do not have to accept heart disease as your fate, even with genetic risk factors. There are always things you can be doing, especially if you are at risk for a heart disease to help prevent heart disease or a heart attack. Heart Health: Tips to Avoid A Heart Attack and stay “Heart Healthy”: exercise at least 30 minutes per day maintain a heart-healthy diet, while staying ...
Welcome to another AFC Urgent Care Medical Minute July is UV Awareness Month Sunburn should not be taken lightly. Melanoma ( skin cancer) is the most common cancer in the United States. Most people don’t know that. The good news is that skin cancer is preventable in most cases. UV Prevention tips for protecting skin so that it looks healthy, young and stays as cancer-free as possible: 1) Apply sunscreen. SPF factors are regulated by ...
Welcome to "peak week”, West Hartford and Farmington Valley residents! Many of us consider this time of year, and this week in particular, the most beautiful time to live in Connecticut. Here at AFC Urgent Care, we agree, and want to celebrate this beauty, and so, we are launching, the: First Annual AFC West Hartford Fall Foliage Photo Contest! Here are the details: Your pictures should be within the Farmington Valley area. Share your best ...
<![CDATA[What is cholesterol? To us, cholesterol serves as a major component for all cell membranes. It’s used to make essential molecules such as hormones, fat-soluble vitamins, and bile acids to help you digest your food. It sounds simple, but to everyone else it’s just a fatty substance in our blood that is measured by different levels and types. Understanding these levels can be confusing because these numbers fall on the highs and lows of a spectrum. We’re often told that these highs and lows can be good or bad. For some it can sound devastating because of the negative connotation behind the phrase “bad cholesterol” or “high cholesterol”. So, are your cholesterol levels safe? Here are some facts: How do you get high cholesterol? There are many causes for high cholesterol. Normally an evaluation of someones lifestyle, behaviors and family history can help us determine the reasonings behind someone’s cholesterol levels. The common causes for high cholesterol are: An unhealthy diet Lack of physical activity Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke Excess weight (obesity) Familial hypercholesterolemia Most people don’t even know that their cholesterol levels are high. This is because cholesterol can be sneaky. There are no symptoms for high cholesterol. As we age, everyone’s risk for high cholesterol increases. It’s our bodies normal way of saying that we are not young anymore and that cholesterol does not easily clear up from our blood like it used to. This unfortunately leads to higher cholesterol levels, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.That is why it is recommended to get this checked regularly to prevent these potential health problems. Which cholesterol level should I worry about? Understanding what each level means so that you can then take steps to control and lower these levels is in our best interest. When getting your cholesterol checked there are a few things that doctors look for in your blood. These levels include: Total Cholesterol (Overall of LDL, HDL and percentage of Triglycerides) LDL HDL Triglycerides LDL and HDL are the major ones to look at as they both carry cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol. Its’ main purpose is to absorb cholesterol and circulate it through the body and back to the liver to flush it out. Having higher levels of HDL’s help prevent heart disease. LDL on the other hand and often known as “bad” cholesterol can lead to cholesterol build up (plaques) in your arteries. No bueno! In addition to these levels triglycerides also matter when getting blood work checked. High levels of triglycerides can lead to inflammation or hardening of the arteries. A combination of high LDL and triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Also no bueno! How often should I get my cholesterol checked? The American Heart Association recommends that adults aged 20 and older get checked every four to six years. After age 40, it is recommended to consult with your doctor about calculating your 10 year risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease, stroke and other possible health diseases. But, to be clear, this does not include someone that has a family history of cholesterol, high blood pressure or health risks from lifestyle and behaviors. Remember this can affect the frequency needed to check your blood cholesterol. It is best to get these levels checked and then consult with your doctor on the best course of action in the future. Get your cholesterol levels checked at AFC Urgent Care West Hartford At AFC Urgent Care West Hartford we can perform blood work in order to assess your cholesterol levels. We’ll explain what’s considered good and how you can manage it if it is considered “bad” or too “high”. We’ll then point you in the right direction that is specific to your lifestyle needs and based on your family history. Come on in to AFC Urgent Care West Hartford at 1030 Boulevard, West Hartford. We accept most insurances and we are open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and also 8am-5pm on the weekends, no appointments needed. ]]>
