Springing Into Better Health
From the sniffles to slips and falls, winter weather can take a toll on
your health. Don't spend the beginning of spring home sick in bed—here's
how the Walk-in Clinic can help.
What Can I Visit the Walk-in Clinic For?
Think of the walk-in clinic as a place for urgent matters, where the emergency
department should be for an emergency. Some reasons to visit our walk-in
clinic include:
Stomach Flu
The stomach flu is a common reason to visit an urgent care facility. Though
it is important to note that the term
stomach flu is an inaccurate term for a virus, not to be confused with the
influenza virus. The
norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea.
Some symptoms of the norovirus include:
- Headaches
- Fevers
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Low-grade fever
The Common Cold
The
common cold is a viral respiratory infection that mainly affects people during colder
seasons. Although symptoms and severity may vary from person to person,
here are some common signs that may point to the presence of a cold:
- Sore or irritated throat
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Body aches
While most people recover from the viral infection on their own in about
seven to 10 days, you should see a medical professional if you experience
any of the following:
- Symptoms last longer than ten days
- Symptoms are abnormally severe
- If an infant younger than three months has a fever
Allergies
Contrary to popular belief, allergies don’t always wreak havoc during
warmer months—environmental allergies can strike year-round.
Allergies arise when your body identifies a foreign substance as a threat to your
health, overreacting in an attempt to protect your body.
Environmental allergies are due to exposure to certain substances around
you, such as dust or pet dander. Some of the most common allergic reaction
symptoms include:
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Rashes
- Hives
While many people who have allergies do not require treatment, others can
interfere with day-to-day activities and can even be life-threatening.
You should seek immediate care if you experience any of the following
symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- You experience your allergy symptoms for several months out of the year
- Over-the-counter medications don’t relieve symptoms
- You often wheeze or cough
- You have asthma attacks even when taking asthma medication
- You feel tightness in your chest
Eye Irritation
Between cold temperatures, wind and snow, winter weather can do a number on your
eyes when they aren’t properly protected. If you find yourself experiencing
any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate care:
- Feeling that something is in your eye
- Light sensitivity
- Pain in your eye
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Redness to the whites if your eyes
- Itching or burning sensation
- Yellow or green discharge
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are infections that affect one or more areas of the urinary tract,
which may include the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. If left untreated,
the infection may spread to the kidneys, the bloodstream, and even has
the potential to become fatal.
Symptoms that may suggest the presence of a UTI may include:
- A stinging or burning sensation while urinating
- Urinating more frequently than usual
- Feeling as if you need to urinate when you don’t
- Cloudy, smelly, or bloody urine
When to See a Doctor
Although UTIs are common, you should seek immediate care and speak with
a medical professional about your symptoms. Usually, your symptoms are
enough for a doctor to diagnose the infection. However, urinalysis can
be done to determine the type of infection you have.
Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following
symptoms:
- Fever
- Back pain where your kidneys are located
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you’re taking in. When
this happens, your body does not have enough water to perform regular
functions properly. You can lose excessive amounts of water and fluids
in the following ways:
- Sweating too much
- Urinating too much
- Not drinking enough water
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Common symptoms of
dehydration may include:
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dry skin
Although in most cases, dehydration is moderate—it can also be life-threatening.
You should seek immediate medical care if you experience the following symptoms:
- Not urinating
- Dark urine
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
Can the Walk-in Clinic Replace Primary Care?
Though visiting a walk-in clinic is more accessible and flexible with hours,
there are many medical concerns and complications that an immediate care
facility is not equipped to treat. It’s still vital that you
see your primary care doctor for routine visits.
Doing so can help build a great doctor/patient relationship and allows
them to better understanding you and your family’s health history.
This, in turn, will enable them to provide better assessments, treatment,
and preventive care.
When to Head to the Emergency Department
A
common misconception about immediate care facilities and walk-in clinics is that they are
another form of visiting the emergency room or department. Though many moderate injuries
can be addressed in walk-in clinics, you’ll want to head to the
emergency department right away if you are experienced anything that could be time-sensitive
and life-threatening such as:
- Chest pains
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe asthma attacks
- Loss of consciousness
Walk-in-Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming
If symptoms persist or last longer than a few days, the
Walk-in Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming, is here to help. When it comes to urgent care, each
patient can expect us to help them get back to life with quality care
and personalized service.
Save your spot in line or walk-in today! Learn more at
www.cchwyo.org/wic.