Urgent Care Services

What Is Acute Pain?
Pain is an uncomfortable feeling in the body. Acute pain comes on suddenly and intensely. It is your body’s way of informing you of imminent danger.

What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is the presence of pain without an apparent injury. Chronic pain may persist in an area that was once injured, but has since healed. There may be both a physical and an emotional component to the pain. For instance, a person who has suffered a traumatic injury may feel stress, anxiety, and pain signals in that part of the body. Other examples of chronic pain are headaches, back pain, arthritis, and pain caused by nerve damage. Some chronic pain may have no physical basis at all.

What Is The Difference Between Acute Pain And Chronic Pain?
Acute or chronic pain is something you want to go away quickly. But the difference between acute and chronic pain is whether the cause can be identified and minimized or cured. The source of acute pain symptoms can be identified after a medical examination. Care can be provided and, hopefully, the pain will go away quickly.

Acute Pain From Injuries
It’s easy to understand why the body needs a pain response resulting from an injury, or potential injury. But, that doesn’t make it feel any better when it’s happening. Acute pain from an injury might take up to six months to go away completely. Typically, once the injury has healed satisfactorily, the acute pain will go away. The following is a list of examples of acute pain (not comprehensive):

Broken bones: If any bone in the body breaks, this can cause pain—often intensely.

Muscle strains, pulls, and tears: This is acute pain caused by damage to muscle tissue.

Cuts, scrapes, scratches, puncture wounds, and burns: Damage to the skin tissue will cause acute pain.

Abdominal pain: Acute abdominal pain can be caused by anything from gas and indigestion to kidney stones and Crohn’s disease.

Back pain: Acute back pain, particularly acute lower back pain, is a common complaint. It is caused by muscle spasms, strains, and tears.

Pain related to surgery: Though surgeries are procedures that often save and improve lives, the surgery itself, and the recovery period afterwards, can be painful. Usually, the patient will be given some kind of analgesic to dull the pain of the initial surgery. But, acute pain will continue until the patient has healed.

Dental pain: There are many sensitive nerves in the oral region of the human body. Acute pain can come from a dental accident or dental work. It may also arise from an ongoing issue with dental health.

Menstrual pain and childbirth: Pain can arise at different times in a woman’s menstrual cycle. The time period in which a baby is delivered can be intensely painful.

How To Treat Acute Pain
When acute pain is due to injury, your first priority should be to get away from the source of danger. After that, there are many acute pain treatments available. Caring for the injury and starting the healing process will begin to reduce pain. There may be adjustments you need to make in your daily routine, diet, or physical movement to alleviate the pain. There are also many over-the-counter and prescription medications that provide relief from acute pain. Your healthcare provider should be consulted on every step of the process.

Where To Treat Acute Pain
When you or someone in your family is in pain, FastMed Urgent Care is here for you. Some acute pain happens from life-threatening emergencies that require a trip to the ER. But for many other cases, FastMed Urgent Care is an affordable and convenient choice. You can get immediate treatment without an appointment, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our care providers are highly experienced in many of the injuries and conditions that cause acute pain. We’ll diagnose and treat the cause of the pain, so the healing process can begin. We’ll also recommend other treatments for pain relief. Finally, we can make an appointment with your primary care physician and, within strict privacy guidelines, may be able to submit all of your medical records directly to their office.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

Asthma And Trouble Breathing
Asthma and its associated breathing problems affect more than 25 million people in the U.S. each year. Roughly 7 million of these are children. If you experience an asthma attack and need immediate medical help, FastMed is available seven days a week, including holidays. Our qualified medical providers can provide the asthma treatment you need to breathe more freely.

What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes difficulty breathing. Symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on how strongly the airways react to the inhaled allergens.

What Causes Asthma?
No one knows for sure exactly what causes asthma. If one, or both, of your parents has experienced asthma symptoms, you’re more likely to experience them yourself. So, there’s a genetic component. Respiratory infections that occur in early childhood, during the development of the body’s immune system, may also play a role.

While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, we do know quite a bit about the body’s allergic response. When someone with an allergic sensitivity breathes in certain allergens, the airways become inflamed, and the inflammation causes swelling and tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways. The problem is often made worse by the body’s increased production of mucus in response. Together, these reactions make it difficult to get enough air into the lungs.

What Are The Symptoms And Signs Of Asthma?
Someone having an asthma attack will usually experience noticeable breathing problems. Asthma symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Coughing, which is usually worse in the evening and early morning
• Symptoms can vary in intensity depending on how strongly the airways respond to the specific allergens encountered.

How To Prevent And Manage Asthma
Although there’s no cure, there are asthma medications and treatment options available to help those with asthma manage the disease. Most live normal, active lives and suffer few symptoms.

If you experience asthma symptoms and need medication or treatment, the FastMed medical professionals are available seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is ever necessary and online check-in is available for your convenience. We can provide immediate care to help you adhere to your doctor’s action plan and manage any symptoms. Let us help you get back to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

When To Seek Medical Help For An Asthmatic Reaction
Asthma attacks range from mild to severe. This is because the body has different responses to different allergens. Depending on how strongly the body reacts to the allergens, you may experience a simple allergic reaction, an asthma attack, or anaphylaxis—a very dangerous reaction that can be deadly.

Here’s how to tell which you’re experiencing, and when to seek medical attention fast:

Allergies
Allergens are substances that cause your body’s immune system to react strongly. Although nearly any substance can be an allergen, in the spring, the most likely substances are pollen grains. The same yellow glaze you spot on the roof of your car in the morning can also affect your lungs.

Allergens can cause the body to produce chemicals called histamines as a protection. Unfortunately, histamines cause unpleasant symptoms that can range from mildly uncomfortable to extremely dangerous. If you have a particularly strong reaction, you should seek medical care immediately.

Allergic Rhinitis
Coughing, sneezing, itchy skin, watery eyes, and other symptoms of allergic rhinitis—known as allergies—can leave your nose raw. If this happens, you may have seasonal allergies specific to certain types of pollen. Tree pollen is the most likely suspect, followed by flower pollen from chrysanthemums and goldenrods.

Pollen carries male reproductive material, so only males or plants that exhibit both sexes produce it. Unfortunately, you have little control over the sex of the trees in your neighborhood, but you may want to choose female blossoms if you’re buying plants or flowers for your home.

When you need relief from allergy symptoms, your FastMed provider can help you feel better, fast.

FastMed can treat your allergy symptoms and your asthma to help you avoid feeling miserable in the future. Severe asthma attacks or anaphylaxis, however, should send you straight to the hospital. How do you know if it’s severe? If your body reacts strongly to allergens and other irritants, learn the symptoms of each condition and make sure you know what to do.

Anaphylaxis Symptoms

• Skin reactions, such as hives, along with itching
• Either flushed or pale skin
• A feeling of warmth
• Sensation of a lump in your throat
• Airway constriction, a swollen tongue, or swollen throat
• Wheezing and trouble breathing
• A weak and rapid pulse
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Dizziness or fainting
• Confusion

If symptoms are severe, they require immediate medical attention. Visit the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911. For milder symptoms, the FastMed professionals can provide immediate and convenient relief, with no appointment. We’re open seven days a week. Online check-in is provided for your convenience.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

Most bee stings and insect bites cause only mild reactions and are a normal part of spending time outdoors. Some people, however, experience allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.

FastMed Urgent Care treats a wide range of mild to moderate reactions to insect bites and stings, as well as mild to moderate allergic reactions. We’re open seven days a week, 365 days a year, with no appointment necessary. For severe reactions, call 911 immediately and take these actions while waiting for help to arrive.

What Are Symptoms Of Bee And Insect Stings?
Most bee and insect stings cause only mild to moderate symptoms, such as pain, redness, swelling, and itching. These usually subside within a few days.

Mild to moderate allergic reactions can be treated at your nearest FastMed Urgent Care, with no appointment necessary. Just head directly to a nearby location, any day of the week, including holidays. You can check in online first, if preferred.

If the person stung shows signs of a severe reaction, call 911.

What To Do For A Bee Sting Or Insect Bite
Although painful, most bee, hornet, and wasp stings aren’t serious. Any pain and itching should subside within a few days. See how to treat a bee or wasp sting.

For those with a bee sting allergy, however, bee and wasp stings can be serious or even life-threatening. Make sure you pay attention to signs of a severe allergic reaction.

What To Do For A Bee Sting Or Wasp Bite Allergic Reaction
Some people have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. A severe allergic reaction to a bee, wasp, or hornet sting—known as anaphylaxis—is a life-threatening emergency.

Call 911 for help if you notice any of the following symptoms, or if the victim is a child with a scorpion sting:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, eyelids, or throat
• Hives
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea, vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea
• Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or loss of consciousness
• If none of these symptoms is present, you can treat and cure a mild sting at home, or seek medical help from your nearest FastMed Urgent Care.

How To Treat A Bee Or Wasp Sting?
Most stings cause only mild discomfort and symptoms should subside within a day or two. For bee or wasp sting relief, and to lessen the severity of the reaction, take the following steps:

• Move the victim to avoid more stings
• Lower the affected area below heart level immediately to reduce the spread of venom
• Remove the stinger if it is still present (you can use a credit card to scrape it out)
• Keep the victim as calm and quiet as possible
• Wash the affected area with soap and water

Visit FastMed for a tetanus booster if it’s been longer than 10 years since the last one. Also, if there’s a mild to moderate allergic reaction to a bee sting or bug bite, have it examined by the FastMed professionals.

You can head to the nearest FastMed location any day of the week, including holidays. No appointment is necessary and on-site lab testing is available. Our expert care helps treat the symptoms of bee stings, and our short wait times will quickly get you back to your normal routine.

For wasp and bee sting treatment, your FastMed practitioner may prescribe the following:

• Applying cool compresses to decrease swelling
• Elevating the area to reduce pain and swelling
• Treating pain with hydrocortisone or an over-the-counter pain medication* such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• If you’ve previously been stung by a fire ant, you may have a more severe reaction to bee and wasp stings, as they contain the same type of venom.

*Follow the medical directions for each of these medications, and pay particular attention to the directions for children under two years of age.

What To Put On A Bee Or Wasp Sting
Most bee, wasp, and hornet stings cause only a mild reaction. For these, use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help relieve itching, swelling, and redness. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can also be used if itching and swelling are more severe.

Cover the area with a bandage to prevent scratching the sting. If the skin breaks while scratching, this can potentially lead to infection. If the site still becomes infected, visit your nearest FastMed Urgent Care as soon as possible for treatment.

What To Do For Bee Sting And Wasp Bite Swelling
Cool compresses should help you avoid swelling. Any swelling that remains can be alleviated by elevating the area and using hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can be taken if itching and swelling become more severe.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

What Is The Common Cold?
Common colds and influenza (flu, for short) share many similarities in terms of symptoms, including sniffling and sneezing. Colds are typically less severe and persist for a shorter duration. A severe cold, however, can turn into something more serious, such as a sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia, without proper care.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are those of a cold, flu, or something more serious, your FastMed Urgent Care professionals can help you recognize the signs and ensure that you get the care you need quickly.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold?
Typical symptoms of a head cold include coughing, sneezing, and headache, often accompanied by sore throat, stuffy nose, fever, and fatigue. Although usually mild, symptoms can progress without proper precautions.

For severe cold symptoms or those that last longer than a few days, visit a FastMed Urgent Care. You may be experiencing the flu, a sinus infection, or other more serious illness.

What Causes A Cold?
Colds are often referred to as head colds because most symptoms are felt in the head area. Medically, they are considered upper respiratory viral infections. As suggested, they are caused by several types of viruses and are, therefore, highly contagious. They spread quickly from one person to another.

How To Treat A Cold
If it is simply a head cold, you may want to treat it at home, using the usual cold remedies. Make sure you stay hydrated, gargle with salt water, and get plenty of rest, as extra sleep plays an essential role in common cold treatment. Cold medicines may also help to relieve symptoms.

Over-the-counter cold medicines, like decongestants and antihistamines, can be good options. Other medicines for colds include pain relievers to bring down fever and cough suppressants to control coughing. Take care when using acetaminophen or Tylenol, however, if you are taking other products that contain these, as they can cause liver damage at excessive levels.

Your FastMed Urgent Care is open seven days a week, 365 days a year to help remedy a severe cold. We should be able to provide cold relief by lessening your symptoms.

The Differences Between A Cold And The Flu
The biggest difference between a common cold and the influenza virus is the severity and duration of symptoms. You may experience coughing, sneezing, and headaches with both, but flu symptoms will usually be more severe. Colds also tend to come on at any time of the year, whereas the flu is mostly seasonal. If your symptoms last longer than a few days, you probably have the flu.

What Is The Flu?
The flu is short for influenza, an extremely contagious respiratory illness that typically strikes during winter through early spring. It is caused by a group of influenza viruses and develops quickly, unlike colds, which progress more slowly.

What Are Common Flu Symptoms?
The flu shares many symptoms with the common cold. Although symptoms of each may vary by person, both typically cause coughing, congestion, and fever. The biggest difference between the two is the intensity and duration of symptoms. While signs of a cold come on gradually and last only a few days, flu symptoms progress quickly and tend to be more severe. They can last up to seven days or longer.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and soreness
• Congestion
• Cough
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more likely with Swine flu)

If you’re wondering whether you have a cold or the flu, visit your neighborhood FastMed Urgent Care clinic. We are available for an evaluation seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is necessary.

How Long Does The Flu Last?
Unlike a cold, which usually lasts a few days, the flu may linger for a week or longer. Make sure you take proper precautions to avoid the flu virus altogether, but, if you do come down with influenza, take appropriate action as soon as you notice symptoms.

How To Treat The Flu
Once you develop flu symptoms, the following flu remedies may help to lessen the severity and duration of the virus:

Get enough sleep. Aim for at least nine hours a night; more, if possible. Take naps throughout the day to boost your immune system to help your body recover.
Stay hydrated. Hydration is key to kicking an illness. When you’re awake, consume as many fluids as possible, including water, fruit juices, and sports drinks. The less sugar, the better. Also, avoid caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
Use a humidifier. Moist air helps to improve symptoms and clear the sinuses.
Eat an ice pop. A cold treat can relieve pain when your throat is sore and swollen.
Drink something hot. Hot tea or even warm water with lemon and honey will soothe your throat and clear symptoms.
Chicken soup. It really works. Chicken soup has proven healing properties.
Take medications. Over-the-counter influenza treatments include ibuprofen, antihistamines, decongestants, and cough medicines to relieve symptoms. Make sure you read the labels carefully. When treating a child, pay attention to the type of flu medicine and the dosages.

Flu treatment sometimes calls for prescription medicines. Your local FastMed can help you get the prescription you need, even on weekends or after normal business hours. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your odds for a quick recovery.

Make FastMed Urgent Care Your Flu Shot Clinic
If you haven’t already, get a flu shot at your earliest convenience. Make FastMed your flu shot clinic. All FastMed clinics offer shots throughout flu season, with no appointment necessary.

Also, if you do fall ill, your local FastMed can help. Our friendly staff will treat the flu and prevent its spread—often much faster and less expensively than most emergency rooms can.

Fevers
A fever is one of the ways your body defends itself. A fever works much like a thermostat to heat up the body, fight unwanted invaders, and drive out infection. Nonetheless, it is always good to know what causes a fever, and when to seek medical attention.

How To Manage A Fever
Your normal body temperature varies throughout the day. It can safely fluctuate between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you start to creep above 99.5 F, you’re getting a fever. Fevers often accompany a cold or a stomach bug, but can also signal a more serious infection, virus, or reaction to medication.

For many fevers, there are things you can do at home to manage your symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest the following to help you feel more comfortable:

Put a cool cloth on your forehead. It may help lower your body temperature. A warm–not hot—bath is also an option.
Take an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to bring down your fever.
Drink lots of fluids. If you are sweating or overheated, you should consume more fluids than usual to avoid dehydration.
If the fever persists, visit your local FastMed for additional treatment options.

Treating A Fever In Children
Fevers are more serious in children. The CDC recommends that any child under three months who experiences a fever should be seen by a healthcare professional.

Taking Your Child’s Temperature
Although there are a lot of thermometers on the market, the oral or rectal types work best. Devices for taking a temperature in the armpit or on the forehead may not be as accurate. If you use a new device to check your child’s temperature and it indicates a fever, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional, or verify the temperature using a different device.

Protecting Others When You’re Feeling Ill
When you have a fever, it is important to be conscious of the health of others. Try to keep your sickness from spreading, especially to children or the elderly. Limit contact until a doctor determines that you are no longer contagious.

Since most fevers are caused by contagious illnesses, it is best to stay home from work and avoid social functions. Also, the flu virus can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours. Clean surfaces around your home thoroughly to avoid passing a virus to others.

FastMed Helps Get You Back On Your Feet
Your local FastMed is available every day of the year to help you get well. You can reach us on holidays or weekends, even when most general practices are closed. In most cases, we can get you in and out faster than an emergency room and at a fraction of the cost. With online check-in, you will be diagnosed and back to being yourself as quickly as possible.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

The professionals at FastMed Urgent Care are available day and night to help you manage any acute issues related to diabetes.

Stop in at one of our convenient walk-in clinics any day of the week, 365 days a year, for the diabetes care you need. No appointment is ever necessary. To shorten your wait time, you can first check in online. Let us provide the acute diabetes care you need, when and where you need it, and we will work with your primary care provider to ensure that you receive the follow-up care you need. Because highly elevated blood sugar can cause dehydration and severe electrolyte imbalance, it can be life-threatening. In that case, we would also arrange for transfer to the nearest emergency department.

What Is Diabetes?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are diseases of the endocrine system that can strike anyone, at any age. Type 1 is more likely to strike in childhood, and type 2 often doesn’t show up until after age 40.

The incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has grown by more than 50% in the past decade. Currently, diabetes claims the life of one American every three minutes. It is also the number-one cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart failure, stroke, and amputations.

What Causes Diabetes?
Under normal circumstances, our bodies produce insulin to allow the sugars (glucose) from the foods we eat to be absorbed by our cells in order to produce the energy we need. In those with diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin for this process to properly occur.

Most of us are familiar with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but there are actually other types of diabetes, as well, including gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, and pre-diabetes, a potentially reversible condition that can eventually lead to diabetes.

The cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown. In type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, the body’s cells become resistant to the action of insulin, and the pancreas cannot create enough insulin to compensate. Since the energy from the foods eaten can’t be absorbed by the cells to be used for energy, these sugars build up in the bloodstream.

Although type 2 diabetes generally tends to be more prevalent among those who are overweight, this is not always the case. There is still much that is unknown about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

For this reason, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that those at risk for diabetes have their blood glucose tested regularly. This includes:

• Any individual with type 1 or 2 diabetes
• Those considered to be pre-diabetic
• Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher
• Anyone over the age of 45

Your local FastMed Urgent Care offers blood glucose and other tests for patients who require it. We can also draw and send blood to a full-service laboratory for other testing for diabetes. In conjunction with your primary care provider, we can also help manage your prescriptions for diabetes medications. These services are available during extended hours, both weekdays and weekends, with no appointment necessary. Just walk in, or check in online first to shorten your wait.

What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes?
Diabetes symptoms vary, depending on how much sugar is present in the blood. For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the symptoms are similar. Usually with type 1 diabetes, the symptoms tend to be more sudden and pronounced.

The signs of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Headaches
• Ketones in the urine (indicating that there’s not enough insulin available)
• Irritability
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Sores that are slow to heal
• Frequent infections, including gums, skin, and vaginal infections

Symptoms can often be subtle. Therefore, if you experience any signs of diabetes, you should take a simple blood test to either confirm or rule out the disease. Your FastMed professionals are available to help. We can play an integral role in the diagnosis, medication management, and other potential treatments for diabetes to get your blood sugar under control, so that you can get back to life.

Fast, Convenient Care For Diabetes
FastMed Urgent Care is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. Our clinics open early and stay open late. There’s no need for an appointment. Just walk in to your local FastMed clinic, or check in online first, if you prefer.

We will perform a thorough evaluation and set you on the right path to best manage your diabetes—quickly, conveniently, and affordably. All without the long wait for a doctor’s appointment or the long wait time at a hospital ER.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

FastMed offers on-site EKG (electrocardiogram) and lab services for quick analysis of your heart. If a problem is suspected, we can evaluate your heart quickly and effectively on site, with no appointment necessary. Our qualified medical staff will provide immediate care and can also refer you to an appropriate specialist, if needed.

We work closely with your primary care provider (PCP), if you have one, to ensure that your ongoing medical needs are met. With your permission, and under strict privacy rules, we can share your electronic medical records and EKG results with all appropriate providers.

At FastMed, we understand that medical problems don’t always occur during normal business hours. For this reason, we’re open extended hours 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. Let us provide fast diagnostic services for your injury, illness, or accident. Walk-ins are welcome, and online check-in is available for your convenience.

Get the immediate care you need without the additional expense of going to a hospital emergency room or waiting for an appointment with a conventional doctor.

What Is An EKG?
An EKG, also referred to as an ECG, is an electrocardiogram, a measurement of the heart’s natural electrical activity. It is sometimes confused with an echocardiogram. Unlike the echocardiogram, which creates a visual representation of your heart using sound waves, an EKG specifically measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. With each beat of your heart, an electrical wave passes through the heart muscle causing it to contract and pump blood. An EKG or ECG measures the timing of this activity in the top and lower heart chambers.

What Does An EKG Show?
There are two kinds of information an electrocardiogram reveals. One is the length of time the electrical wave takes to pass through the heart. If the waves pass too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly, it may indicate a problem.

The second measurement is the amount of electrical activity that passes through the heart muscle. This helps a doctor or medical examiner determine whether the heart may be too large or overworked in some way.

A normal EKG generally indicates that your heart is functioning normally and suggests your problem may lie elsewhere. An abnormal EKG or ECG can mean many things. Sometimes these abnormalities are simply a normal variation of your heart rhythm. Other times, they can signal an imminent heart attack. There are also a number of possibilities between these two extremes.

The FastMed providers are specifically trained to recognize the variations in images of an EKG or ECG, as well as any abnormalities they may suggest. The images or tracings can then be used to determine the best course of treatment.

Why Get An EKG?
If your medical provider recommends that you should have an EKG test performed, it is likely because there is a suspected problem with the electrical activity of your heart. If you’ve complained of chest pain or palpitations, for example, your FastMed provider will want to check for symptoms of heart disease, particularly if you show additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.

Other reasons for an EKG include checking the thickness of the heart wall chambers or verifying whether certain medications are either working or causing possible side effects. If you have a pacemaker or other implant, an EKG may help to determine if they are functioning correctly.

Where To Get An EKG Done?
If you have a condition that requires an electrocardiogram, FastMed Urgent Care can provide your EKG on site. Our medical staff will help you receive the care you need, when you need it.

Unlike most traditional medical offices, we’re open early and late, holidays, and weekends, to assure you get quality medical care conveniently and affordably. Our professional medical staff can provide evaluations, on-site lab services, prescription medications, or other care as may be required. We can also refer you to a specialist or get you to the hospital, if needed.

In short, we’re staffed and equipped for just these types of non-life-threatening medical concerns. No appointment is necessary. If preferred, for convenience, you can check in online in advance.

If you suspect you may be having a heart attack or other life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted on the vessel walls when your heart pushes blood through your arteries and veins. When your blood pressure is measured, there are two numbers that come up: diastolic and systolic. A blood pressure chart shows you whether these numbers indicate low, normal, or high blood pressure. In most patients, there are no high blood pressure symptoms and few low blood pressure symptoms.

What Is Considered High Blood Pressure?
If your blood pressure readings are regularly above 120/80, you have risk factors for developing hypertension. The blood pressure range of 120–139 and/or 80-89 is considered prehypertension; 140–159 and/or 90–99 is stage 1 hypertension; and 160–179 and/or 100–110 is stage 2 hypertension. Blood pressure numbers any higher than that may be a hypertensive crisis, and require immediate medical attention.

What Are The Signs Of High Blood Pressure?
In general, high blood pressure does not have any symptoms. It can be present for a very long time before it is caught, or before a person will seek treatment. Untreated hypertension is the number-one risk factor for heart disease, which may lead to heart attack, sudden death, heart failure, strokes, or kidney failure. Regular physical checkups can diagnose hypertension early. Your FastMed care provider will typically test your blood pressure when you come in for care. In order to have your blood pressure evaluated at FastMed, the patient must complete an office visit.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Many different factors often combine to cause hypertension. Some of these factors are preventable, and some are not. The non-preventable causes include genetics, race, gender, and age. For example, hypertension is twice as likely to occur in an individual who has one, or both, parents with hypertension. High blood pressure is more likely and is often more severe in African-Americans. Males are more likely than females to develop hypertension, and increased age is also a risk factor.

There are many other factors that are completely preventable. These include obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, physical inactivity, and a high-salt diet. Smoking and alcohol cause the blood vessels to constrict or become smaller, causing the pressure to increase. High-salt diets cause water retention, which increases the volume of the blood that moves through the body, which increases the pressure. Obesity causes hypertension in many ways; it increases the surface area over which the blood must circulate, causing the heart to work more strenuously.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is also a medical condition. A blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 indicates hypotension. Though it is usually not regarded as a serious problem, it can cause dizziness, nausea, fatigue, fainting, blurred vision, and other symptoms. Chronic hypotension can also be a sign of more serious medical conditions. If you are concerned about your low blood pressure symptoms or readings, talk to your healthcare provider.

How To Reduce High Blood Pressure
There are many blood pressure medicines available. Your healthcare provider can prescribe one that will work for you. There are many classes of blood pressure medications; while the first medication you try may cause unwanted side effects or may not be effective, there are others that may work better for you. Your healthcare provider will listen to your feedback and will work with you to find the best medication. Clearly, adopting a healthier lifestyle is also very important to high blood pressure management. Some of these lifestyle changes are harder than others, but they all will make a positive difference.

Stop Smoking, Limit Alcohol Intake
Smoking is a major contributor to high blood pressure and a number of other health conditions. Cessation should be an immediate priority when you are being treated for high blood pressure. Reducing or eliminating your alcohol intake can also help you lower blood pressure.

Diet
For patients with high blood pressure, diet adjustments are necessary. One of the best courses of action is to decrease your intake of salty and heavily processed foods. The addition of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts, and the elimination of sugary foods and beverages, will make a positive impact on your blood pressure, and your overall health.

Weight Loss
Along with dietary changes, weight loss is one of the best ways to manage high blood pressure. For every pound lost, there is an average decrease of about one point in your blood pressure. So, even just a five-pound weight loss can mean a huge difference in blood pressure.

Exercise
Independent from weight loss, exercise is another great tool for managing hypertension. Forty minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times per week can reduce blood pressure by up to six points. Incorporating weight training can drop it three more points.

Where Can You Get Your Blood Pressure Tested?
You can get a quick and accurate blood pressure test at FastMed Urgent Care. Our experienced healthcare professionals will perform the test and make recommendations based on the number. High blood pressure and low blood pressure are both very manageable, and early detection is key.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

What Is A Sinus Infection?
Sinusitis or sinus disease, better known as a sinus infection, is a common problem treated at FastMed Urgent Care. It is commonly defined as inflammation, or the swelling of the sinuses. When the sinus openings become blocked, or too much mucus accumulates, sinusitis is the result.

There are three types of sinus disease: acute (lasting up to four weeks), sub-acute (lasting from four to 12 weeks), and chronic sinusitis (lasting three months or longer). Some of the symptoms associated with sinus infection are fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and pressure that causes facial or dental pain.

If your sinus disease persists for more than a few days, visit one of the many FastMed locations in your area, and a qualified medical provider will examine you. The FastMed team should be able to determine whether the problem is indeed sinusitis. Tests may include looking in the nose for signs of mucus, or checking for signs of inflammation and pressure. Antibiotics are rarely prescribed when sinus infections occur, because they are ineffective in treating the viruses that cause most sinus infections.

What Causes Sinus Infections?
There are many different causes of sinusitis, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens, and even chemicals or pollutants. The incidence of sinusitis often increases in the spring and fall, when allergens become more prominent.

Viral sinus infections: Research has shown that approximately ninety percent of sinus infections are caused by a virus. Viral sinusitis usually lasts just seven to ten days, and its symptoms can be effectively treated without antibiotics.

Bacterial sinus infections: Bacterial sinusitis often develops on the heels of viral or allergic sinusitis. Patients with bacterial sinus infections usually display symptoms for more than 10 days, have moderate to severe headache and facial pain, fever, and colored mucus.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection?
Sinusitis involves inflammation of the nasal passages. Sinusitis is commonly referred to as a sinus infection, even though not all cases involve an actual infection. Sinusitis symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Congestion
• Post-nasal drip
• Sore throat resulting from post-nasal drip
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Nasal discharge

How To Treat A Sinus Disease

Sinus disease treatment depends on what is causing the inflammation. In general, sinusitis is rarely difficult to treat unless it occurs frequently. Frequent sinus infections, or chronic sinusitis, may require evaluation and treatment by a specialist. Antibiotics can be helpful in bacterial sinusitis treatment.

Viral sinusitis usually lasts just seven to 10 days and can be effectively treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter antihistamines, mucolytics, decongestants, nasal sprays, or saline washes. Avoid Afrin or similar medications due to rebound issues. Antibiotics are not effective in treating viral sinusitis.

Visit any FastMed Urgent Care location for evaluation and treatment of sinusitis. FastMed’s professional and knowledgeable doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat sinusitis in a friendly, convenient manner.

How To Clear A Sinus Infection
There are many remedies to relieve symptoms of a sinus infection. Depending on what is causing the symptoms, you may be able to treat mild sinusitis at home.

Try inhaling steam several times a day. Place a towel over your head while breathing in the steam from a bowl of hot water. You can also use a vaporizer, neti pot, or take a hot, steamy shower.

If you try these sinus infection remedies, but continue to struggle with sinusitis, visit your local FastMed Urgent Care. No appointment is necessary. We can prescribe the appropriate antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays, or other treatments that will soothe your headache and get you back on your feet—usually far faster and at less expense than the typical emergency room.

What Can I Take For A Sinus Infection?
Most sinus infection medicines are meant to treat symptoms. Mentholated medications may help open nasal passages, and expectorants can thin and help drain the mucous. Ibuprofen or naproxen should help to relieve pain and swelling. Acetaminophen will relieve pain, but will not reduce inflammation.

Other sinus “infection” remedies include saline sprays and irrigation methods, such as a neti pot. Your FastMed sinusitis team can help you determine the best solution for your particular type of sinus disease.

How To Relieve Sinus Pressure
The key to sinus infection treatment is to keep your sinus cavities moist. The following steps should help:

• Prop yourself up
• Use a humidifier
• Take long, hot showers or breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
• Place a warm, damp towel on your face
• Try a neti pot or another nasal irrigator
• Use a saline spray

If symptoms persist for longer than a few weeks, you may be suffering from chronic sinusitis. Visit your local FastMed Urgent Care for an evaluation and treatment. You may need antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection, another prescription remedy, or referral to a specialist to effectively treat a chronic sinus condition.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.

A scratchy, irritated, sore throat is one of the most common problems treated by FastMed Urgent Care providers. Depending on the cause, your sore throat may be just a minor setback, or it could be a sign of a more serious illness, such as strep throat.

In rare cases, a sore throat can be considered an emergency. If you or someone in your care experiences difficult breathing, drooling, and significant difficulty swallowing, visit a hospital ER immediately. Otherwise, your sore throat can be treated at any FastMed Urgent Care. We are open seven days a week, 365 days a year, with no appointment necessary.

What Causes A Sore Or Strep Throat?
The typical sore throat is also known as pharyngitis. It may be accompanied by scratchiness, difficult or painful swallowing, tonsil swelling, and hoarseness. It can also be associated with body aches, headaches, fever, chills, runny nose, nausea, and vomiting.

Typical causes of a sore throat include:

• Allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, dust, or post-nasal drip
• Viruses, such as influenza, the common cold, or mononucleosis
• Bacterial infections, such as strep throat or an upper respiratory infection

Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Other viral infections causing sore throats include the measles, chickenpox, croup, and mononucleosis—an infectious disease transmitted via saliva.

In the case of a bacterial infection, the most likely causes are strep bacteria, diphtheria, or whooping cough—an infection of the mucous membranes. Other causes can include environmental factors, such as allergens or other illnesses.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Sore Throat?
In addition to a sore, scratchy throat, sore throat symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, fever, hoarseness lasting longer than one week, soreness for longer than one week, earache, difficulty opening your mouth, a rash, or lump in your neck. These more-serious symptoms should be evaluated by a hospital ER.

Strep Throat Symptoms
Strep throat shares many of the same symptoms as the typical sore throat, but in this case, the soreness is caused by a type of bacteria called streptococcus. The pain of strep throat often feels much like a sore throat caused by other illnesses, but strep throat can result in serious complications.

For this reason, it is important to have any sore throat that lasts longer than one to two days evaluated by a FastMed provider. If it turns out to be caused by the strep bacteria, a course of antibiotics may be required.

Remedies And Treatment For A Sore Throat
Sore throat remedies and medicines for soreness caused by a virus or environmental factors may include:

• Taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
• Gargling with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of water)
• Sucking on throat lozenges or hard candy
• Sucking on flavored frozen desserts, such as ice pops
• Using a humidifier

Remedies And Treatment For Strep Throat
The usual sore throat remedies are insufficient for strep throat treatment or soreness caused by bacteria. If your FastMed provider determines that your sore throat is caused by strep or other bacteria, you most likely will be prescribed antibiotics. Make sure you continue the full course of antibiotics, even if you feel better after a few days. This will prevent the bacteria from returning, as well as the development of drug-resistant bacteria—a growing worldwide problem.

When To Seek Medical Help For A Sore Or Strep Throat
In general, if your sore throat lasts longer than one to two days, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as joint pain, difficult breathing, abdominal pain, rash, or fever, you should seek medical care at your nearest FastMed location.

FastMed Urgent Care prides itself on fast, efficient, and cost-effective care for sore throats from many causes. Our team of highly qualified medical professionals, located at all FastMed clinics, is ready to serve you. We can evaluate your sore throat and other symptoms, and tailor treatment specific to your condition, or even provide medications on site, when available.
All FastMed locations are open 365 days a year, with extended hours. If you experience a sore throat, visit your local neighborhood FastMed Urgent Care for convenient, professional, and affordable care, with no appointment necessary.

* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.