Unfortunately, yes. Many people struggle with getting a good night’s rest each night. One study reported that one in three Americans do not get enough sleep each night! So, if rest does not come easy to you, you are not alone. However, adequate sleep is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia provides some helpful insight into this topic. Read on →

“Maskne” is one of the new words of 2020, and it’s safe to say that a lot of us deal with it. “Maskne,” or mask-related acne, is prevalent in the lives of many because of the importance of wearing masks in public. With masks and necessary COVID-19 precautions here to stay for the foreseeable future, that pesky acne around our mouths and noses might not be going away anytime soon. Read on →

Yes—and that’s just the short answer! It’s safe to say that many of us are aware of how music can affect our moods, but music is even more powerful than just being a mood booster. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains why below. How Does Music Affect My Brain? Listening to music can do wonders for the health of your brain. According to a study done by The Burnett Honors College, music impacts brain function and human behavior by reducing stress, pain and symptoms of depression, as well as by improving cognitive and motor skills. Read on →

Whether or not it has to do with keeping up with the pandemic, we’re all constantly checking our phones these days. But did you know? Too much screen time can potentially have pretty serious effects on our mental health. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains why. Why Is Too Much Screen Time a Bad Thing? Experts say that a healthy amount of screen time ranges from around two to three hours per day. Read on →

Yes! We know that having to consistently wear masks can be inconvenient at times, but the reality is that wearing them significantly helps in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Don’t believe us? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia breaks down masks and their health benefits. What Evidence Is There to Support the Health Benefits of Masks? Many scientists have done studies on masks and their usefulness in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but the strongest evidence in favor of masks comes from real-world scenarios. Read on →

Staying hydrated and drinking enough water has always been of the utmost importance. Drinking the right amount of water keeps your body working properly and functioning the way it should, but does it get even more important the older you get? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia sheds some light on the importance of drinking water as you age. Do I Have a Greater Risk of Being Dehydrated As I Get Older? Read on →

Fall has unofficially arrived already—and the official start is just days away. That brings hopes of cooler temperatures, sweater weather and fresh apple pies…but also the threat of fall allergies! What can you do if seasonal allergies tend to plague you during the fall? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia shares some insight. What Are Fall Allergies? Odds are, if you experience allergy symptoms in the spring, you will again in the fall. Read on →

That’s a really common question! While both illnesses are viruses and they have similar symptoms, they are different. Since the flu season is coming up straight ahead, it’s important to do what you can to protect yourself. Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia offers some tips on why the flu shot is important and when to get it. Is COVID-19 the Flu? No, COVID-19 is not a type of influenza, or the flu. Read on →

The honest truth is that we’re all at risk of diabetes. But some people are at a higher risk than others for Type 2 diabetes, which is largely related to lifestyle. Want to learn more? Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia offers some insight about diabetes and how to prevent it. What Are the Types of Diabetes? There are two main types of diabetes—Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Read on →

More than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. But how would you know if you were experiencing elevated blood pressure? That’s a bit tricky, because high blood pressure is what’s known as a silent condition. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia wants to take a few minutes to talk through what high blood pressure is, how to keep tabs on your blood pressure and how to maintain a normal blood pressure. Read on →