Know the Difference Between COVID-19, the Flu, and a Cold

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:January 10, 2021
Post category:Illness

The Difference Between COVID-19, the Flu, and a Cold

During the winter, cases of the flu and the common cold become more frequent. This year, we have the added complication of the COVID-19 pandemic. With some overlapping symptoms, it can be difficult to tell whether you’re experiencing a cold, the flu, or COVID-19. While the only sure way to know if you have COVID-19 is to receive a test, you can stay informed about the differences between the common viral infections.

Comparing the Flu and COVID-19

The flu is a viral infection that shouldn’t be taken lightly. In serious cases, it can lead to hospitalization or even death. Thankfully, shots are available each year to offer protection against the infection. The vaccine will provide an inactive dose of the virus so that your body can create the antibodies that you need to fend off the illness.

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Signs Your Teen Could Be Experimenting with Drugs and How To Know for Sure

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:December 20, 2020
Post category:General Health

Signs Your Teen Could Be Experimenting with Drugs and How To Know for Sure

It is completely normal to wake up one day to a seeming stranger in your home. As your teen goes through changes and starts learning the lessons of life, it is natural for them to change a bit in behavior, interests, and habits. On the other hand, these can also be symptoms of the abuse of drugs. Here are some signs that you should look for and how we can help you help your teen.

Signs of drug abuse in teens

While some of these symptoms can be due to stress or just puberty, it is important to take them seriously when several are present at once. Talk to your teen and feel them out. They may agree to the drug screen to prove their innocence, taking away most of the hassle.

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Surprising Benefits of Massage

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:December 10, 2020
Post category:General Health

Surprising Benefits of Massage

If you thought that a massage was nothing more than a pampering treatment, you couldn’t be more wrong. It actually has a lot of health benefits. In fact, the impact of massage on your overall health is such that patients with certain medical problems or injuries shouldn’t be massaged. Here are some of the most surprising benefits of massage therapy.

Improved Posture

If you sit hunched over a desk all day, you probably have a significant amount of back pain. This can usually be remedied (or even prevented) with regular massage therapy. It relaxes the muscles that seize when sitting for long periods, which improves your posture and reduces back pain.

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Are fad diets safe?

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:October 20, 2020
Post category:Nutrition

Are fad diets safe?

How many diets have you tried over the years? Fad diets are everywhere, and there is no sign that they are going anywhere anytime soon. Although the diets change from time to time, there are some definite trends that you’ll always see come back around, like low fat and low calorie.

Fad diets are not necessarily unsafe. But everyone is different, and the diet that is right for one person may not be right for someone else. It is important that you focus more on overall nutrition and developing healthy eating habits.

Fad diets are also effective on a temporary basis. You are likely to lose weight either very quickly or not at all. If you are following a low-fat diet and your body really needs that fat to function properly, you might not lose weight at all. On the other hand, you could reach your goals quickly.

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How Your Doctor’s Visit Will Be Changed by COVID

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:October 10, 2020
Post category:General Health

How Your Doctor’s Visit Will Be Changed by COVID

If you have been putting off your doctor’s visit because everything has been limited to virtual appointments as much as possible, you’re not alone. A lot of people are not comfortable with telehealth options, and a basic phone call is often insufficient. If you’re done waiting to see a doctor in person, you can make an appointment with us today, but your visit will look much different than you’re probably used to.

Wearing masks

It is recommended that everyone wear masks where social distancing is not possible. Clearly, while a doctor is examining you, they will be a lot closer than six feet. That means that you and all of our medical staff will be wearing masks at all times. When that is not possible, we will take as much precaution as possible, including making sure that our masks remain in place. Remember that these measures are to protect us so that we can keep doing what we do.

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Getting Sports Physicals During the Pandemic

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:September 20, 2020
Post category:Preventative Medicine

Getting Sports Physicals During the Pandemic

The pandemic has changed a lot, and that includes youth sports. However, even though your child’s school may be doing online instruction and closed classrooms, most are still going ahead with youth sports with precautions put in place.

But getting a physical or other unnecessary medical visits are difficult to come by these days. Doctors are using telehealth as much as possible, and they are trying to keep in-person visits down to a minimum. If your child isn’t going to be starting sports right away, you might have a hard time getting physicals and other issues taken care of.

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Thinking Ahead to the Holidays: Build Habits Now to Avoid Holiday Weight

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:September 10, 2020
Post category:Nutrition

Build Habits Now to Avoid Holiday Weight

The holidays are fast approaching, and with them comes the seemingly inevitable holiday weight gain. In fact, your body might have already started to betray you due to the pandemic, spending more time at home, and maybe snacking out of boredom. But there are a few habits that you can build that will put an end to snacking, while also preparing you to enjoy the holidays without worrying about holiday weight.

Use a smaller plate.

It might seem silly, but using a smaller plate can really help you maintain your weight. Most dinner plates in the U.S. are much larger than they really should be. If you load up a full dinner plate, you are probably eating more than you need to. Go back for seconds, and you’re doomed.

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Why Lifestyle Changes Are Necessary for Lasting Weight Loss

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:August 20, 2020
Post category:Weight Loss

Lifestyle Changes Are Necessary for Lasting Weight Loss

Have you been the victim of fad diets that make big promises but deliver only short-term results? Many people fall into these traps. That’s why the weight loss industry is so successful, but the health of Americans shouldn’t be considered an industry to exploit for profits. And when you look at the science behind weight loss, it is clear that the industry is only hurting Americans.

What is all this talk about lifestyle changes?

When you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to make changes to your lifestyle that will remain in place even after you reach your goal weight. Making changes only temporarily means that the weight loss will be temporary as well. If you want to keep the weight off forever, you’re going to have to make some hard choices.

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The Truth About How Long It Should Take to Lose Weight

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:August 10, 2020
Post category:Weight Loss

How Long It Should Take to Lose Weight

“Learn how to lose 30 pounds in 30 days!”

“Buy our program to lose up to 10 pounds per week!”

“I lost 40 pounds with this weight loss secret!”

Most of the time, when people are making claims like this, they are only trying to sell you their latest book, exercise video, Patreon, or other money making scheme. Can you really lose weight that fast? The short answer is: yes, but there are consequences.

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How to Work with Your Physical Therapist for Success

Post author:Family Medical Centers
Post published:July 20, 2020
Post category:Injuries

Work with Your Physical Therapist for Success

Physical therapy isn’t like most other medical treatments. The effort toward your recovery does not rest with the physical therapist alone. You have to work with your therapist, at the rehabilitation center and at home, if you want the treatment to be effective.

Be outspoken about pain and comfort.

If your physical therapist asks you to move a certain way and it is painful or uncomfortable, you can’t be shy about letting them know. Physical therapy will push your pain and range of motion thresholds to improve the strength and condition of the limb or joint, but it shouldn’t cause significant amounts of pain. Pain with certain positions or movements could indicate previously undetected injuries.

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