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Wash away the Flu!

October 10, 2018 Jeff Pucko

It may be October & spooky season but there is even something scarier than that… Flu season! Usually, by this time of the year, people start thinking about the holidays & less about how they can avoid the flu. Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid the flu even after you’ve gotten your flu shot!

How much do you wash your hands?

It seems like a silly question but you would be surprised studies have shown that 1in5 adults do not wash their hands after using the bathroom! YUCK! There is no specific amount of times you should wash your hand during the day however, you should be washing your hands frequently. Some examples of when you wash your hands are after:

After you use the bathroom
After you play with pets
After you play outside
After you use public transportation
After you type on your computer

When thinking about the whole day we actually use our hands for everything! Always be mindful of when they need to be washed!

How to wash your hands

Ok so now we have discussed when to use your hands but now its time to talk about how to wash your hands. Going to the sink and just putting water on your hands will not help your cause, you aren’t getting rid of any germs that way. Doctors suggest that you need to use a decent amount of soap & spending at least 25-30 seconds washing your hands. When you touch something dirty, even if it is for a second your hand picks up millions of germs! 10 seconds under the sink is not going to change that. A good time that works for children is to tell them to sing happy birthday while washing their hands.

Healthy Living Habits

We know it is tedious to keep worrying about your hand being dirty. We here at instant urgent care don’t want you to worry yourselves too much about having clean hands. We just want you to be responsible & smart about when & how you wash your hands. Use these tips & tricks & you should be on your way to a healthier life & staying away from the flu!

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Don’t let candy give you a scare this Halloween!

October 10, 2018 Jeff Pucko

Halloween is the spookiest time of the year & we have learned to love the creepy traditions of dressing up & going out. However, this Halloween ghost & ghouls aren’t the only things you should be afraid of! Candy is the sweetest part of Halloween but is known to have some very bad side effects on children. Read more to see how much candy your child should consume on Halloween.

How much candy should A child have?

As we know a child body is very vulnerable as they go through their, adolescence. Studies show that a child will eat about 7,000 calories on Halloween. These calories have about 675 grams of sugar, the average amount of sugar for a child is 35 grams! We are not telling you to take candy away from your child on Halloween, however, try using some low sugar candies instead. Some example is:

Coconut butter cups
Pretzels
unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
Good bites classic macaroons

What can too much candy do?

Too much candy can cause a lot of health problems later in life for your child. When you see a child that has begun their “sugar high” this is the process of when the body has exceeded its amount of sugar needed so it decides to start burning off some. As funny as this may be for a child, unfortunately, this is a sign the body is having a bad reaction to the sugar intake. After the “sugar high” has ended you will notice that a child will feel sluggish, cranky & have a loss of appetite. If continued candy abuse is used the body can be considered prediabetic. Pre-diabetic means the body cannot produce sugar & carbohydrates correctly. If you become prediabetic & then go on an eating binge of candy this can switch over to diabetes in the same day.

What should you as a parent do?

We all want to see our kids laugh & enjoy the holidays as they should! One night of unhealthy eating can slide for the sake of a holiday, however, making sure your kids don’t eat candy past 8 p.m can help with their sugar intake. Also, make sure to give your kids a lot of water & healthy food the following day to balance out the candy! We here at Instant Urgent Care would like to wish you all a happy Halloween!

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Reasons to Get a Flu Shot

October 9, 2018 Jeff Pucko

The flu shot is a vaccine people should receive each year to prevent the spread of influenza, but many people decide against receiving the vaccine each flu season. If you’re unsure why you need to get your flu shot or have concerns about it, we’re here to help. These are just a few of the many reasons why you should get your flu shot this year.

Protecting Yourself and Those Around You

Influenza becomes an epidemic nearly every single year because people choose not to vaccinate. To get a better understanding of how much a simple vaccine could protect yourself and those around you, let’s look at some statistics.:

Each year 200,000 people are hospitalized because of influenza
People die each year from the flu.
The number is steadily decreasing, but anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 people still die each year from flu-related causes.
You may not view the flu as a life or death thing, but it is for many people each year. Anyone over the age of 6 months old is eligible to receive a flu shot, including pregnant women. This means that if everyone who’s eligible got vaccinated, we could put an end to the epidemic. All insurance companies pay for flu shots with no copay, and if you don’t have health insurance, each county has their own free flu shot program each year.

There’s a Needle-free Option

Many people choose not to get the flu shot due to a fear of needles, but that shouldn’t be stopping you. Anyone aged 2-49 who isn’t pregnant can receive a nasal spray form of the flu shot that offers the same results without the fear of the needle. Many parents find this is an excellent alternative for younger children or for themselves if they have a fear of needles.

There’s No Risk

There are many misconceptions about the flu shot, but none of them are actually true! Many people fear they will get sick if they get the shot, but that isn’t the case. The majority of people have no side effects from the flu shot. Those who do suffer side effects complain of a runny nose and sore throat that lasts only 1-2 days. That means that with a quick trip to your doctor, a walk-in clinic, or pharmacy, you can receive a flu shot at little to no cost and protect yourself and those around you. There’s absolutely no risk or downside, so what’s holding you back?

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Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

October 9, 2018 Jeff Pucko

October is filled with trips to the pumpkin patch and for some unlucky people, trips to the emergency room. Hospitals see a rise in hand injuries each year as pumpkin carving takes place as a family tradition for many people. To keep your family activities festive and fun rather than painful and dangerous, follow these tips for safe pumpkin carving.

Keep It Clean

Before you begin carving your pumpkin, you should make sure you have a clean working area. The area you choose should be well lit and dry to avoid accidental slipping or mistakes. Some of the things you should wash and thoroughly dry before carving include:

Knives
The pumpkin
Your hands
The carving surfaces
Any other sharp carving or marking utensils
Adult Supervision is Key

Hospitals often see children with injuries from cutting without supervision, which is something that can be easily prevented. Even if you think your child can handle it, you should always supervise the carving process, and the sharp carving utensils should be left to an adult. Your child can still enjoy outlining the design, cleaning out the pumpkin, and seeing the final product without putting themselves in harm’s way with sharp knives and carving materials.

Knives Shouldn’t Be Sharpened Before Use

You may think sharpening your knives before carving will make for smoother cuts, but this isn’t always the case. Sharper knives can smoothly go through the side of a pumpkin, causing a severe injury to your hand or finger. Use your knives as you normally would without any additional sharpening. If a knife becomes lodged in the pumpkin, be sure to slowly pull it out while being aware of your hand and finger placement.

Buy a Kit

If you want to avoid the chances of injury even further, invest in a pumpkin carving kit. These kits can be found at most stores for a reasonable price, and they include everything you need to carve a pumpkin safely. Most importantly, the packages include small knives meant to use for pumpkin carving. These knives are designed not to be sharp enough to inflict serious injury, but they should still only be used by adults. Your children will love the books full of fun carving designs included in the book, and you’ll like knowing no one will need a trip to the emergency room!

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Back to School Physicals

September 10, 2018 Jeff Pucko

This time of year is filled with school supply shopping, picking out new outfits, and getting back into the school year. A back to school physical should be on your to-do list before the new school year kicks off too. Many states require back to school physicals, but even if yours doesn’t, your child should be getting one. Let’s take a closer look at why back to school physicals are so important.

Building A Medical History

If you want to be able to get the best care possible for your child when they’re sick, it’s a good idea to get them seen by their physician when they aren’t sick. If your child gets yearly back to school physicals, then their doctor will be familiar with them and have a medical history on file. When you need to set up an appointment for an actual issue your child is having, this makes it much easier to begin treating them right away.

Athletic Physicals

If your child is one of the nearly 46 million athletes in America, they’ll need an athletic physical. Athletic physicals are very similar to a regular physical, but they address the child more as an athlete than a regular child. This can help to make sure they’re ready to start up the newest game season and be at peak performance, without having a higher susceptibility to injury.

Immunizations

Immunizations are important to protect your child and those around them. At a back to school or athletic physical, the physician will make sure your child is up-to-date will all of the immunizations they need to have a happy and healthy school year. These immunizations could include a flu vaccine, a booster shot, or any other immunizations your child is due for based on their age and previous immunizations.

Address Any Concerns and Check Development

The back to school physical is the perfect time for your child and you to bring up any concerns you might be having. If your child has been having any issues with sleeping, allergies, pain, depression, anxiety, or focus, it’s best to get it addressed before the new school year begins. The physician will check reflexes, growth development, and more to look for any possible signs of a problem as well. Make sure your child is being open and honest with their doctor at this appointment each year and if you have a concern that they haven’t mentioned, don’t be afraid to voice it!

A back to school physical not only makes sure your child is safe and healthy going back to school, it will also give you the peace of mind in knowing that you’ve begun building a medical history for your child. Even if your state doesn’t require back to school physicals, it’s a good idea to get one scheduled before your child returns to the busy hallways and sports fields.

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Hand Washing Tips for the School Year

September 10, 2018 Jeff Pucko

It’s no secret that school-aged children are exposed to germs at a much higher volume than they traditionally would be at home. Kids want to touch everything they see, and germs are quickly spread from one child to another. Handwashing is one of the easiest ways to protect your child’s health, as well as the health of those around them. Simple things such as touching a doorknob, playing on the playground, or flushing the toilet are easy ways germs can be spread to your child during a school day.

Avoiding germs

These are some of the health risks your child could face without proper hand washing:

The common cold
Flu
Pneumonia
Diarrhea
Other viruses and bacterial infections

If your child regularly washes their hands, they can avoid contracting anything more serious than the common cold. Frequent hand washing is important, but so is knowing how to properly wash their hands. It’s estimated that less than half of secondary school children wash their hands with soap, so it’s no wonder that diseases are spreading rapidly. These diseases and illnesses can lead to missed school days for your child and missed days of work for you if they bring the germs home with them.

Teach your child about germs

To best protect your child, you should begin teaching proper handwashing techniques at home at a young age. It should become a habit for your child to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly throughout the day. The proper handwashing technique includes wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry the hands completely. This means children shouldn’t be rushing through the hand washing process because they may miss a germ-covered area.

Stay aware

Speak with your child’s school district and teacher to see if they put an emphasis on hand washing for children. Schools can aim to make handwashing a fun and engaging activity for younger children to begin forming a habit they’ll use as they get older. Many classrooms contain hand sanitizer as well but be sure your child knows regular hand washing should still be utilized. If the school and the parents work together to teach children about proper handwashing techniques, we could begin to see lower absenteeism rates and improved overall health of students and teachers. The hand washing education doesn’t stop with younger children, so be sure your middle and high school aged children still practice proper handwashing on a daily basis as well.

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Stay away from sunburn this summer!

August 13, 2018 Jeff Pucko

Summertime should be full of outdoor activities & enjoying the sun! However, we have to be careful when we are exposing ourselves to the suns rays! Did you know the most common type of cancer is melanoma skin cancer? Melanoma is mainly caused by sunburn. This article will give you some tips & tricks to beat sunburn!

What is sunburn? & How do I get it?

The sun has 3 types of UV rays (ultraviolet light) that it emits.

Only 2 of these rays actually make it to the earth’s surface ( UVA, UVB). These rays contain radiation, & our skin can only take so much before it burns. Yes, sunburn is actually a radiation injury that happens on a cellular level. People forget how harmful sunburn is because it is so common.

How can I protect myself?

The best way to beat sunblock is to always be mindful of when you are going on in the sun & how much exposure you might get. We all have different skin types & different amounts of exposure to the suns rays. Sunblock is the best way to prevent sunburn when outside for an extended period of time.

I put on sunblock & I still burnt

Putting on sunblock once when you are outside is not enough. If you are tanning/doing sports/ swimming, you need to re-apply every time you are done sweating or swimming. Sunblock does not stick to the body for long & being wet will cause it to run off leaving you exposed to the UV rays.

If you have experienced sunburn, come down to Instant urgent care today & get excellent service & treatment today!

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New Month, New Health Goals

August 1, 2018 Jeff Pucko

You don’t have to wait until December 31st to set out a list of unattainable goals for the new year! You can start right now!

The top of the month is the best to to set out a few goals, so when you look at all you’ve accomplished for the entire year, you’ll back and be amazed at all you’ve done!

Want a better way of keeping track of your achievements? Here are a few tips to ensure you’ll get everything you’ve set out to do for the month!

Set concrete goals

Was your goal to be “healthier?” Figure out what healthy means for you, whether that means changing your diet, exercising more, or increasing your water intake.

Put in on your calendar

We all have the same24 hours in a day and 365 days a year to accomplish goals we have set for ourselves. Make your new goals a priority and put it in your calendar and think of these time blocks as appointments, so you know you won’t cancel or put off.

Try A 30-Day Challenge

Break up goals you want to accomplish by doing them in 30-day increments, so you’re not overwhelmed and can focus on small goals as time goes on.

Track your progress

Keeping log of your progress will be a source of motivation when you need to reflect on how much you’ve accomplished from where you started.

Don’t give up

It can be easy to throw in the towel when you’re not seeing any progress, but resiliency is key when it comes to accomplishing your goals. Instead of getting discouraged, acknowledge your mistakes and recommit to your goals.

Ready to tackle the month ahead? Sometimes minor injuries or illnesses can set you back, but Instant Urgent Care is here for any of your minor hiccups so you can get back into your routine with ease! For more information on the services we provide, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at 408-687-4806.

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Urgent Care: Myths Vs. Facts

July 17, 2018 Jeff Pucko

When a sudden illness or injury arises, seeing a doctor becomes a priority when home remedies don’t seem to work. When your regular doctor is unavailable when you need treatment after hours or on the weekend, a visit to an urgent care center could be a better choice. Misconceptions about urgent care centers might raise a few eyebrows about the quality of care you’ll receive.

Here are a few common myths about urgent care.

Myth #1: Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care Are the Same

Some people tend to lump emergency rooms and urgent care centers in the same category because both types of facilities can handle acute medical conditions. However, urgent care centers are equipped to handle minor ailments that aren’t life-threatening. Urgent care centers are fully equipped to handle non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as influenza (the flu), the common cold, strep throat, sprains and strains, and bruises.

Myth #2: Urgent Care Doesn’t Provide Quality Care

One major misconception about urgent care centers is that they don’t offer the same quality care like that of your primary care physician or a doctor at an emergency room. Most urgent care centers are staffed with doctors, nurse practitioner, and physicians who have years of experience working in emergency medicine.

When you visit an urgent care center, you can be rest assured that you will be seen by a doctor, nurse practitioner or a physician assistant.

Myth #3: Urgent Care is Expensive

Urgent care is a cost-effective alternative to a visit to the emergency room. Before visiting an urgent care center, review your insurance policy to ensure your urgent care visit will be covered. While you may be responsible for costs outside of your insurance policy, your cost for treatment will be far lower than what you would have paid for an ER visit.

Myth #4 Urgent Care Centers Don’t Take Appointments

Urgent care centers provide the convenience that you can walk in and receive treatment without an appointment. While you can’t always prepare for an unexpected injury or illness, booking an appointment before your visit can speed your wait time and help you see a provider within a reasonable time frame.

Myth #5: An Urgent Care Doctor Won’t Understand Me As Well As My PCP

When it comes to having someone who understands your medical background and ongoing medical issues, it is always recommended to develop a relationship with a primary care physician and to see them regularly. But when something comes up and your PCP is overbooked, a walk-in clinic might be able to serve your needs in the same way any family care practice could.

Urgent Care Treatment at Instant Urgent Care

At Instant Urgent Care, we provide treatment for a range of injuries and illnesses on walk-in basis for our patients. We also have a convenient check-in online feature to secure your spot.

Visit us at a location nearest to you! We’re located in San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale. For more information about the services we provide, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at 408-687-4806.

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June is Men’s Health Month

June 11, 2018 Jeff Pucko

“Men take better care of their cars than they do themselves…”

If you’re a man, you probably have heard this saying before, but if you’ve been neglecting your health and putting more energy toward fixing your car than getting your health in check, no is the time to do it!

June is Men’s Health Month, celebrated annually to ensure men are taking care of themselves mentally and physically. Here are a few tips on how you can take charge of your health!

Have a Regular Wellness Exam

As you age, regular wellness physicals are critical to determine underlying medical conditions that can be treated with early detection. At Instant Urgent Care, we provide general wellness exams and a number of other physicals such as DOT, pre-employment, and sports to ensure that you’re in good health and can handle any given task or participate in an activity.

Routine Vaccinations

Along with having a regular wellness exam performed, you should also stay up to date with your vaccinations, as they are a part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent life-altering diseases. At Instant Urgent Care, we offer vaccinations for influenza, measles, hepatitis A and B, whooping cough, and more on a walk-in basis, which means you’ll never have to book an appointment to be seen by a physician.

Diet and exercise

Including a proper diet and exercise regime into your lifestyle can refine your overall health and reduce your chances of being diagnosed with chronic health conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Invest in your body by becoming more mindful while grocery shopping and dining out, as well as consider signing up for a membership at your local gym or participate in exercise classes.

Listen to your body

You may avoid seeking medical attention out of pride, but if you’re not feeling like your normal self, you may want to reconsider. At Instant Urgent Care, our staff of well-seasoned medical professionals have experience with treating a range of non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses to get you on the road to a speedy recovery. When you can’t book an appointment with an out-of-reach primary care physician, or you don’t want to be hit with an expensive ER bill, visit our urgent care center.

Men, keep your health in check and visit Instant Urgent Care for preventative services any day during the week. For more information about the services we provide, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at 408-687-4806.