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Important Spring Safety and Health Tips

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The spring time brings warmer weather. It also brings drastic changes in weather, increased rain amounts, and more sporting accidents. People tend to spend much more time outdoors in the spring after being cooped up for the entire winter. This spring, prevent illness and injury, and be prepared to handle medical emergencies. Have a family health plan so that everyone understands how to handle a medical illness or emergency. Know when to visit your local after hours urgent care or wait until you can schedule an appointment with your primary physician. Remember the following spring and summer safety and health tips.

Wear protective equipment

A lot of people cannot wait until they can pull their bikes, roller blades, or skateboards out of the garage and roll down the city sidewalks. Remember to also pull out your protective equipment. Helmets should always be worn to protect the head. Knee pads and elbow pads are also important. If you are not entirely stable on your wheels, also consider a mouth guard. You are more likely to suffer a biking injury in the spring, as you are not yet conditioned for the required stamina after a long winter off.

If you do suffer a fall while biking or roller blading, evaluate your injuries. If you are unable to move, visit the local after hours urgent care center or emergency walk in clinic. If you suffered some scraps and cuts, clean them up properly, cover them, and continue to monitor them. If you have any previous back or neck injuries, schedule an appointment when your primary physician for a proper medical evaluation.

Wear reflective gear

Perhaps one of the most common types of injuries related to biking accidents also involves automobiles. When you bike after the sun has set, it is difficult for drivers to notice you. This is especially common in the spring months, as it still gets darker earlier in the evening. Your reflective gear may be just as important as the helmet that you wear. It allows drivers to identify your location and to keep a safe distance. It can be helpful to equip both your bike and your clothing with reflective tape for better views.

Remember sunscreen, even in the early spring months

A large percentage of people do not regularly wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is necessary even when the skies appear cloudy or when it is not that warm, such as in the spring months. Doctors agree that sun damage can contribute up to 80% of skin aging, more than smoking, inadequate sleep, and dehydration. Regular sunscreen is important any time you are outdoors for an extended period of time. Although sunburns do not usually require after hours urgent care visits, severe sunburns should be monitored and evaluated by a medical professional. Even your local health clinic for women should regular look for suspicious signs of sun damage.

Stings and bug bites

The spring also brings a significant increase in stings and bug bites. Most stings and bug bites can be cared for from home, but they should also be monitored. People with allergies or severe reactions should consider visiting the local family health care center for medications. If you notice any difficulty in breathing or a spread of the rash, visit a family health clinic immediately. Remember that emergency rooms often have longer waits than after hours urgent care clinics. Between 2003 and 2009, the mean wait time in ERs went up by a quarter, from 46.5 minutes to 58.1 minutes. Consider these wait times when a medical emergency arises.

The spring is a long awaited time of the year. You can finally leave the warmth of your home and reintroduce yourself to the beauty of the outdoors. This spring, remember to practice safe health habits. Wear sunscreen on even mildly sunny days, monitor bug bites and stings, wear protective and reflective clothing when biking, and devise a family medical emergency plan ahead of time. Know how you will handle a medical emergency and know where you will go.

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Why You Should Opt for STD Testing

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There are an estimated 20 million cases of sexually transmitted infections from just eight viruses and bacteria that are diagnosed every year in the U.S. — but that’s 20 million reasons to head to a health clinic for women to get tested.

Why get tested? Getting tested is a quick and easy way to ensure your overall and reproductive health. Many sexually transmitted diseases have little to no symptoms, and can often be mistaken for something else. Some women may be scared to get tested or believe there is a stigma to getting tested; maybe they believe they will be judged by their peers.

Luckily, there are std testing centers that offer confidential std testing. These testing centers can often be found within urgent care centers or the common health clinic for women.

How to get tested: First the individual must ask for an std test in order to be tested. If they are there for an annual physical or at an OBGYN office, the nurse practitioner may ask if they would like to get tested.

Once you have asked your doctor for a test, they will need to first figure out what types of symptoms — if any — you are having so they can determine which type of test is needed. There is no one overall test to determine which std an individual might have.

The doctor will first ask how many partners you have had and how sexually active you are. Next they will ask what form of birth control you use. Note that some forms of birth control, such as condoms, will prevent certain types of stds, while others do not.

It may be difficult to determine from asking questions what std you may have, as many go without symptoms for a long time. Less than 40% of sexually active young women are screened for chlamydia mostly because this disease shows little to no symptoms.

How the test is conducted: There are a number of ways to be tested once the doctor has narrowed down possibilities. First would be a physical exam where your doctor will examine you for any visible signs. A second option would be a blood sample. A third option is a urine sample. A final option would be a tissue or saliva sample.

Where to get tested:
Many women are often unaware that they should be getting tested once a year. There is always a reason to get tested, whether it is because a women has switched partners recently, or there is reason for concern. One of the easiest ways to get same day std testing is through a walk in health clinic.

Walk in health clinics are becoming more and more commonplace as health care is more attainable to those who previously might not have been able to afford it. These days, there are nearly 6,800 urgent care facilities in the country, and that number is climbing at a rapid rate.

Look for a local health clinic for women, as they often have doctors who specialize in reproductive and women’s health and will be able to answer any initial questions about stds you might have. They can also refer you to a specialist if need be.