Recent Blog Posts

If you’re feeling sick, identifying your symptoms and determining the necessary treatment can be difficult. Many different illnesses circulate during the winter season, which can make it difficult to identify the exact cause of your symptoms. RSV is a contagious viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system. While it causes mild cold-like symptoms for most, RSV poses a severe risk for at-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. Keep reading ...

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Ear bleeding can be a sign of serious medical problems, especially if you’ve fallen or had head trauma. Explore potential ear bleeding causes and treatments. Save Your Spot Table of Contents Middle or Outer Ear Infection Head Trauma or Falling Torn or Ruptured Eardrum Foreign Object Barotrauma Other Infections Other Symptoms To Watch For When To Visit a Healthcare Provider Visit Your Local AFC Middle or Outer Ear Infection Infections in the ear, whether in the ...

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A lingering cough after a cold can be irritating and exhausting. Use these tips to get rid of your residual cough. Table of Contents What Causes a Lingering Cough How to Get Rid of a Chronic Cough Medications to Try When to See a Provider Visit Your Local AFC What Causes a Lingering Cough One of the most common causes of a chronic cough is a postnasal drip caused by allergies or a cold. Plus ...

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Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, including our bedtime routines. Many people use electronic devices right before bed, whether scrolling through social media, watching TV, or responding to emails, leading to much research into the relationship between technology and sleep. Join us as we explore how technology affects sleep, debunk common myths, and offer practical tips for creating a more restful, tech-free sleep environment. Table of Contents How Technology and Sleep ...

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Vertigo is common yet unsettling - for some, vertigo is a mild inconvenience, while it can significantly disrupt daily life for others. But how long does vertigo last? Whether you're experiencing brief episodes or ongoing bouts, the duration of vertigo largely depends on the underlying cause and the type of vertigo you have. Table of Contents What Is Vertigo? How Long Does Vertigo Last? Can Stress Cause Vertigo? How to Prevent Vertigo Visit AFC Stamford ...

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As the temperature drops and winter settles in, many people struggle with increased body aches and joint pain. It's a common experience to feel more discomfort during the colder months, and while it may seem like a simple coincidence, there's more to this phenomenon than meets the eye. Table of Contents Why Do My Joints Hurt When It's Cold? Strategies to Manage Body Aches and Joint Pain in Winter Concerned About Your ...

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Walking Pneumonia is a serious upper respiratory infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by a bacteria that is easily spread from person to person. Walking pneumonia got its name because, unlike cases of pneumonia, patients with walking pneumonia typically feel well enough to continue with their daily activities. Keep reading to learn more about what causes walking pneumonia, symptoms, and treatment options. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, walk into AFC Urgent ...

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If you’ve recently enjoyed some time in a hot tub and now find yourself dealing with an itchy, bothersome rash, you might be experiencing what’s commonly referred to as hot tub rash, also known as hot tub folliculitis. A hot tub rash — with itchy, bumpy, red skin — is an infection from common bacteria in hot tubs and swimming pools. Learn how to treat it. Save Your Spot Table of Contents What Is It? Signs and ...

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Getting strep throat during pregnancy doesn’t have to be scary. Here’s what to know about treating your symptoms. Save Your Spot Table of Contents How Do I Know If I Have Strep Throat? Risks of Getting Strep Throat While Pregnant Strep Throat Treatment Preventing Strep Throat During Pregnancy Visit AFC for Answers How Do I Know If I Have Strep Throat? A bacterial infection causes strep throat and typically comes with a sudden onset of ...

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If you’ve twisted your ankle or sprained your wrist, you may have been told to follow the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, and it can help soothe injured joints and tissues. Save Your Spot What Is RICE? RICE is a self-care technique that can relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed up the recovery process for minor musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruises. Medical providers often use it as part ...

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Can exercise improve your mood? Regular aerobic activities like jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, and even dancing have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Understanding how exercise impacts both your body and mind can empower you to use physical activity as a tool for better mental well-being. Exercise Can Improve Your Mood When you exercise, your body does more than just burn calories—it also enhances brain function. One key way exercise boosts ...

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During the fall and winter months, illnesses can circulate like wildfire. The common cold is a very common viral infection that spreads quickly and can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. While the duration of symptoms can vary depending on certain factors, most colds typically last about 7 to 10 days. Understanding the typical timeline of cold symptoms can help individuals manage expectations, seek appropriate care, and determine when to consult a healthcare professional if ...

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects the respiratory system. For most people, RSV causes cold-like symptoms such as coughing, and difficulty breathing. RSV is most commonly transmitted in close-contact settings, particularly during the colder months when people are more likely to gather indoors. While RSV is typically mild in healthy adults, it can be serious, even life-threatening, for infants, older people, and those with weakened immune systems. For more ...

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If you’re feeling a ringing in your ears and dizziness, the causes could range from dehydration to vertigo to Meniere’s disease. Learn more. Save Your Spot What Is Tinnitus? A ringing, buzzing, or hissing noise in the ears when no outside sounds are happening is called tinnitus. It’s often a symptom of various conditions but can occur due to exposure to loud noise, earwax accumulation, or age-related hearing loss. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and ...

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Experiencing pain under your right breast? Luckily, the Mayo Clinic says this pain is rarely a concern for breast cancer, nor is it closely associated with heart attacks because your heart is mainly on the left side of your chest. Everyone, not just women, can suffer from sharp pain under their right breast. It can be recurrent or pop up and a sign of multiple different concerns, ranging from mild to serious. Learn more about ...

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When you think of allergy symptoms, you may automatically think of the spring season. The spring season is peak allergy season for many due to the blooming season. However, many people suffer from allergies during other seasons, including the fall. If you’re suffering from illness symptoms this fall, you’re not alone. Learn more about when to expect symptom relief and tips for treating seasonal allergy symptoms. If your allergy symptoms are driving you ...

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Are you feeling sick? Being sick can bring a variety of uncomfortable symptoms depending on the underlying cause. Coughing is a very common symptom of many different illnesses, but did you know that there are different kinds of coughs? Understanding the kind of cough you have can help diagnose your illness so that you can treat it effectively. There are two major kinds of coughs - productive and dry coughs. If you’re coughing up mucus ...

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Is psoriasis itching? Read on to learn more about this skin disease. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by an overactive immune system, which leads to the rapid buildup of skin cells. While itching is one of the most common symptoms of psoriasis, it’s far from the only challenge those with the condition face. Flare-ups, where symptoms worsen significantly, can be triggered by a variety of factors, making it crucial to understand what ...

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What does a broken ankle look like? Ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal issues, affecting individuals of all ages and activity levels. Whether you take a simple misstep while walking or participating in a more vigorous activity like sports, a twist or fall can lead to a painful ankle injury. However, distinguishing between a sprain and a fracture is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. Understanding the Ankle Structure The ankle is a ...

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Deciding whether to keep your child home from school when they're coughing can be challenging for parents. Having a sick child who is at home instead of at school can be challenging for families to manage. While a mild, occasional cough might not be a cause for concern, persistent or severe coughing can indicate an underlying illness that could hinder your child's ability to focus. Sending your child to school while they are ...

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