Does Protein Help You Lose Weight? We know that protein is important in a healthy diet, but we may not understand why, or in what ways protein functions within the body. And let’s face it, it is much easier to just grab whatever is handy for a quick meal or snack from your favorite restaurant than it is to follow a healthy eating plan. But what effect can protein have on your weight? What is Protein? To answer the question of whether protein can help or harm with weight control efforts, it is helpful to first understand what protein is and how it impacts the body. Protein is comprised of organ ..read more

Ever feel like letting your child munch on a few grape tomatoes or snack on a fresh carrot before washing them? The convenience might not be worth the risk. Kids, especially those under five and infants not breastfed, face a higher chance of getting salmonella, a nasty gut infection. But don’t worry, there are simple steps to cut down this risk. If you’re worried your little one caught a salmonella bug, our AFC North Carolina team breaks down the symptoms and treatment options below, so keep reading. How Do Kids Catch Salmonella? Pinpointing how a child gets salmonella can be tricky. Usually ..read more

What Causes Lung Burning? Encountering a burning sensation in your lungs can be unsettling, particularly when coupled with respiratory challenges or a persistent cough. While intense exercise in cold weather often triggers this sensation, it’s important to explore potential underlying issues, with bronchitis being a significant consideration. 6 Tips to Manage Lung Pain at Home While consulting a healthcare professional is crucial, several home remedies can help alleviate the burning sensation and associated symptoms: Stay Hydrated: Ensure adequate fluid intake, particularly water, to thin muc ..read more

How Long Do Kidney Stones Last? Annually, kidney stones affect approximately 10% of the population in the United States, making it a fairly common and often uncomfortable medical issue. Understanding kidney stones, recognizing their signs, and considering various treatment methods are critical steps to effectively manage this difficult health challenge. What is a Kidney Stone? Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard deposits that originate in the kidneys. They occur when certain waste products do not dissolve effectively in urine, leading to crystal formation as a result of an imb ..read more

Can Humidifiers Prevent the Flu? As winter unfolds, so does flu season, making it crucial to fortify ourselves against illness. Dry air is a common companion to winter, making both indoor and outdoor spaces cool and dry. In these conditions, airborne viruses like the flu and COVID-19 thrive, particularly as cooler weather pushes people indoors, sharing recirculated air and increasing the risk of infection. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier is a simple and effective way to combat these challenges. Evidence suggests that maintaining 30%-50% humidity may reduce the transmission of airb ..read more

Why is it harder to get vitamin D in the winter? As the winter months draw near, and daylight wanes, maintaining optimal vitamin D levels becomes an increasing challenge. This crucial nutrient plays a pivotal role in supporting the immune system, bone health, and overall well-being. Our AFC Urgent Care NC team is here to help you get adequate vitamin D during winter and aid with the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in your life. How to increase your vitamin D intake Embrace Natural Sunlight: Despite colder temperatures, allocate at least 15-30 minutes daily for outdoor exposure. Na ..read more

This time of year is a favorite for many, especially families with kids! Who doesn’t love making memories and discovering new holiday traditions with your small children? While you are busy wrapping gifts, making cookies and watching holiday movies, you unfortunately have to worry about illnesses at this time of year. Infections become more common as it cools off around the region, so we all need to be on high alert in order to keep our kids healthy. Our AFC Urgent Care NC team cares about the health of your family, so read on to learn some helpful tips on how to keep an infection from sweepin ..read more

Getting sick always seems to happen at the most inconvenient times. One day you are feeling fine and the next you are experiencing body aches, chills and a fever and calling out of work or canceling the plans you were really looking forward to. No one wants to get sick, so taking steps toward supporting your immune system can be really helpful at this time of year. One of those steps is getting your annual flu shot. Our team at AFC Urgent Care NC wants you to stay healthy, so we explain the benefits of getting your annual shot below. What Does the Flu Shot Do? You may think that since you got ..read more

COVID-19 has made an impact on all of our lives, even if you never got sick yourself. We all know people who got really sick or maybe even lost their lives to this frustrating virus. While we are grateful that the pandemic’s emergency status is no longer needed, it doesn’t mean that COVID-19 isn’t still out there. In fact, COVID-19 cases are rising across the country, especially here in the South. Everyone is vulnerable to getting sick, so staying vigilant and taking preventive steps is important. Our AFC Urgent Care NC team explains more about COVID-19 below, so refresh your memory on the vir ..read more

Different illnesses and conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms, and each person can experience those symptoms differently. That can sometimes make it harder to diagnose yourself at home! The internet searches can sometimes be helpful, but more often it will just leave you with more questions and anxiety. Leave it to the experts at AFC! Our providers are really efficient at diagnosing patients, and we have a variety of diagnostic tools at our disposal to help us along the way. Each of our AFC Urgent Care NC locations has an X-ray machine, access to rapid tests and a full-service lab on s ..read more