We all know hydration is important, but how do we make sure our body is getting the hydration it needs? Does staying hydrated mean drinking water only? Surprisingly, no.

Keeping yourself hydrated consists of more than just drinking water. Drinking water is still vital and is the main component of staying hydrated, but along with drinking water, there are also a few other ways to stay hydrated.

How To Stay Hydrated

1. Add some flavor to your water.

If you don’t like the plain taste of water, try adding some flavor by using fresh fruits or vegetable slices, or even water flavor enhancers. Just be careful if using flavor enhancers since most contain sugar or extra calories.

2. Sip water before every meal.

Taking sips of water before every meal will not only help you to stay hydrated throughout the day, but it will also aid in your weight loss journey. Drinking water doesn’t completely replace hunger, but it does help you to feel full and satiated.

3. Use the help of an app to track your intake.

Since our use of technology is ever-increasing, why not use it to help you stay hydrated? There are various apps that you can find to help you track how much water you drink a day. You can even create reminders, if need be, to help stay the course.

4. Drink sparkling or mineral water.

If you’re looking for something a little on the fizzy side, instead of soda, try drinking either sparkling or mineral water. This will give you the fizzy taste you’re looking for while keeping you healthy and hydrated.

5. Eat foods rich in water.

Change things up a bit and consume water-rich foods. There are certain vegetables, fruits, and even a few dairy products that are rich in water. Water-rich foods are a great aid to drinking water.

Not only will you remain hydrated throughout the day, but you will also reap the benefits of the added nutrients and minerals.

In case you are wondering, here is a list of water-rich foods:

6. Utilize a marked water bottle.

Marked water bottles are a fun way to keep track of how much water you’re drinking visually. Whether you prefer the measurements to be in ounces, time of the day, or both, marked water bottles have you covered.

7. Carry a bottle of water with you.

Carrying a bottle of water with you is an excellent practice to obtain your daily water intake. This seemingly simple practice can help you to stay hydrated even when running errands or preparing meals.

It may be a bit challenging at first, but after a while, carrying a bottle of water with you everywhere you go will be natural.

8. Be mindful when drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol.

Yes, caffeinated drinks and alcohol are liquids, but neither are helpful when it comes to hydration. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol are both diuretics, causing you to urinate more frequently. Frequent urination leads to you losing more water from your body.

The more water you lose, the less hydrated you become, which is why it is important to be mindful and even limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. Or, at least, drink more water when partaking in caffeine and alcohol to replenish the liquids that have been lost.

9. Pay attention to the color of your urine.

One conventional way of keeping track of your hydration is to pay attention to your urine color. If your urine has a slight yellowish tint, this lets you know that your hydration levels are good. Now, if your urine is a burnt orange or amber color, this is a sign that you need to drink more water.

10. Invest in a water filter or a new reusable water bottle.

Water filters and reusable water bottles are a cost-effective way to stay hydrated. Instead of continuously spending money on bottled water, you can get more use out of water filters, pitchers, and reusable bottles.

You’ll have to replace the filters every so often, but you’ll be able to use these items more than once, which is more wallet-friendly.

Conclusion

Keeping yourself hydrated daily is very important. Even though drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated, daily hydration doesn’t have to be boring. If you get tired of drinking plain water, try something new by testing some of the practices mentioned.

Remember, we lose water when we sweat, go to the bathroom, and sometimes through breathing. And living in a high-temperature state increases the need for hydration. So, it’s important to stay on top of your hydration levels by replenishing any lost fluids.

If you have any questions or concerns about staying hydrated, or even about dehydration, contact your healthcare provider. He or she will be able to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

If you feel that you’re in need of urgent care due to dehydration, drop by one of our 10 locations or click here to make a Telemedicine appointment. 

The post 10 Easy Ways To Stay Hydrated appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Your cooperation is key in allowing us to do all we can do to mitigate the virus’s spread. As you may know, it’s possible for individuals who do not exhibit symptoms to spread COVID-19. Therefore, it’s vital that we continue to follow the procedures and guidelines set by the CDC:

• All surfaces within our offices are regularly cleaned and sanitized, as well as exam rooms after every patient 

• Patients check in for appointments from their car and remain there until an examination room is available

• Before any patient enters the office, they are required to wear a face mask

• Patients are led directly into the examination room

Please remember to bring a mask with you to your appointment as we have a limited supply available to us. Also, please take steps to make your wait more comfortable, like bringing water and wearing comfortable clothing.

Lastly, if you are unable to wait in your car, we do offer telemedicine appointments, which can be scheduled by clicking here.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Rest assured, your health and safety are our number one priority.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office: 844-797-8425.

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Most Common Types of Primary Headaches

Primary headaches are when the headache you’re experiencing is the condition. Meaning the headache isn’t a symptom of something else you’re dealing with, like sickness or allergies.

These headaches can either be episodic, pain occurring occasionally and can last from half an hour to several hours, or chronic, meaning that they occur most days and can last for multiple days. People who experience chronic headaches will generally need plans to handle the pain so that they can go about their daily lives.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches give you a dull, aching sensation all over your head. Your shoulders, neck, forehead areas will be sore and tender. Typically, tension headaches are triggered by stress, with pain managed by OTC pain relief aids, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster Headaches feel like burning and piercing pains behind your eyes or an entire side of your face, accompanied by swelling, a flushed face, and sweating on the side affected by the headache. These can last for 15 minutes to 3 hours but can come and go a few times throughout the day.

Cluster Headaches can occur daily for months at a time. They occur more frequently in men and during the spring and fall.

While doctors aren’t sure what causes the cluster headaches, they can offer some effective ways to treat the symptoms, like oxygen therapy, sumatriptan, or local anesthetic to provide relief. 

Migraine

Migraines are a debilitating pain that pulses from deep within your head, severely limiting the ability to go about your day. Typically, these headaches cause a sensitivity to light and sound, and the throbbing pain can also lead you to experience nausea and vomiting.

Some people experience visual anomalies known as auras, causing you to see flashing or shimmering lights, angular lines, stars, or even blind spots. These auras can also be paired with a tingling sensation on your face or your arm or trouble speaking. Because of the similarity to a stroke’s symptoms, if these are new symptoms to you, seek immediate medical attention.

Known triggers for migraine headaches are sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, foods, hormones, and certain chemicals.

If you experience extreme headaches more than three days a month, headaches that are somewhat debilitating four days a month, or any headaches at least six days per month, talk to your doctor about a daily medication to prevent headaches.

If experiencing a headache that you would like medical attention for, Quick Care Med is a quick visit away. Visit one of our 10 locations local and get the attention you seek quickly and affordably or click here to schedule a Telemedicine visit.

The post Don’t Let Primary Headaches Get The Best Of You appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Summer colds are like common colds that happen during the summer. But why do they feel worse? To break it down, even though colds are virus-based, some viruses that cause colds are more prone to warmer weather; hence, making them summer colds.

As the climate shifts, so does the viral landscape. This shift introduces enteroviruses into the mix. They’re a group of viruses that usually cause mild infectious illnesses similar to that of the common cold, and often cause these infections during the summer and fall seasons. 

The various strains and versions of enteroviruses cause multiple symptoms, some of which are uncommon for summer colds, such as sudden fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. 

Common Symptoms of Summer Colds

• Pressure in the sinuses or head

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Congestion

• Body and muscle aches

• Sore throat

• Low energy 

Alleviating Symptoms

Although there aren’t any cures for colds, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms: 

• Drink plenty of fluids, mostly water. Stay away from drinks that can cause dehydration, like coffee or energy drinks. 

• Rest, rest, and more rest. Getting lots of rest is very important. Allowing yourself to rest during this time allows the body to heal and recuperate faster. 

• Cough medicine/pain relievers/fever reducers

• Decongestants 

• Humidifier to help with coughing and to reduce air dryness 

Please note that antibiotics do not treat colds. This is because antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, not viral ones, like colds. 

Ways To Prevent Summer Colds

There may not be a cure for colds, yet you can still prevent yourself from catching one by:

• Frequently wash your hands

• Get plenty of sleep to strengthen your immune system

• Eat well-balanced meals

• Remain well-hydrated 

• As much as possible, avoid contact with those who are sick

Conclusion

All in all, colds are not fun in any season. If you do catch a summer cold, know that there are ways to alleviate the symptoms. 

Summer colds typically last a few days up to a week. But if you develop more concerning symptoms, take the time to speak to your healthcare provider, drop by one of our 10 locations, or click here to schedule a Telemedicine appointment.

The post Summer Colds: Why Are They So Bad? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

There’s never a moment of reprieve when your home is filled with allergens that trigger your asthma. Carpets, bedding, and even the air in your home can harbor asthma triggers.

Keep Bedding Clean

Like blankets, couches, mattresses, pillows, and other linens, soft surfaces can potentially harbor many, many dust mites. Dust mites irritate your lung cells that your body struggles to repair, causing shortness of breath and worsening other asthma symptoms.

Pet dander will also tend to stick to your soft surfaces in the home. If you have a pet in your home, whether dog, cat, or hamster, their dander and fur are added to your home. Without regular cleaning of the animal and your home, these allergens can become a major trigger for your asthma.

Change your bedding once a week, wash it in hot water, dry thoroughly before putting it back on your bed, and any other washable linens you may have in your house.

Some items that aren’t washable can be placed into a freezer bag and put into a freezer for 3 to 5 hours to kill dust mites.

Fragrances Can Be A Trigger

Fragrance sensitivity is another common symptom of asthma. Chemicals in manufactured scents, and even natural ones, can be irritating to your senses. Candles, air fresheners, lotions, cigarettes, and laundry detergents are common triggers.

Avoiding these triggers is the most effective way to manage the allergen, though that isn’t always possible. Communicating with your partner or coworkers about the items causing your issue can help others make changes where possible to aid with this distress.

Keep Mold Out of Your Home

Keeping mold out of your home seems like it should be pretty straightforward, but it is a common asthma trigger. Anywhere in your home where water can settle, or humidity can sit is at risk of developing some mold. Keeping a bathroom fan on or opening a window during or after showers can be the difference between having a mold haven or a safe place to bathe.

Other common areas to watch for mold are under sinks, basements, and where you wash your dishes. Keep areas clean and dry so that mold doesn’t have a space to grow on.

While not all asthma and allergy symptoms will be handled by keeping a clean home, it helps to keep your linens clean, moisture levels down, and artificial fragrances to a minimum.

If you are having problems with asthma or allergies, visit one of our neighborhood locations or click here to schedule a Telemedicine visit.

The post Are Allergens Triggering Your Asthma? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

but with the recent outbreak, we are taking additional measures to ensure your safety.

We want our patients to feel safe no matter how they choose to be seen; in a traditional office setting or via Telemedicine.

Here’s an Overview of our Process for Office Visits

• Patients will be pre-screened at check-in for COVID-19 related symptoms

• Those who have COVID-19 related symptoms will be asked to register in their vehicle

  and will be brought directly into an exam room when the provider is ready to see them

• Those who do not have COVID-19 related symptoms:

   •May choose to wait in their car if they prefer to OR

   •They may remain in the lobby while following safe distancing procedures

We’re Taking Additional Steps to Ensure your Safety

• Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the lobby and exam rooms

• Routine cleaning of the lobby, counters, restrooms, and door handles

• Lobby magazines, books, and children’s toys have been removed as these items are

  difficult to disinfect

•Exam rooms are sanitized after every patient

•Limit of 1 accompanying person per patient

•All employees’ temperatures are checked at the beginning and end of every shift

•Staff are wearing appropriate PPE, which may include masks, gloves, and sometimes goggles and suits, to reduce risk of exposure so we may stay healthy to care for our communities 

In addition to our precautionary methods, we continue to offer same-day COVID-19 testing. Click here to find out how to schedule an appointment at one of our locations or via Telemedicine.

The post We’re Taking Steps to Keep our Offices Germ-Free appeared first on Quick Med Care.

STEP 1: Schedule a Screening Appointment

Option A — Call our COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 797-8425, Option 0 (Monday-Friday 9am to 4pm) to set up an initial screening visit at one of our locations. Click here to see addresses and contact information for our 11 locations across central Florida.  

OR

Option B — If you prefer to have your initial screening visit via Telemedicine, click here to schedule a date and time for an appointment. Telemedicine is covered 100% by most insurances for COVID-19 related visits and as low as $49 for self pay.

STEP 2: Two COVID-19 Coronavirus Testing Options

Option A — If you are experiencing symptoms, you will be screened for COVID-19 using an FDA-approved lab test. 

Option B — If you are not currently experiencing symptoms, you will be screened using the FDA-approved antibody lab test. Results will show past infection of COVID-19 or current infection, even if no symptoms are being experienced. 

Following your Telemedicine or In-Office visit, you will be directed to either our Crystal River or Silver Springs location for FDA-approved COVID-19 lab test or FDA-approved COVID-19 antibody test.

Additional Testing Information

– Lab tests results will be available in approximately 3 business days from receipt of your sample.

– Hours for COVID-19 testing at our Crystal River and Silver Springs locations: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

– Once we receive your COVID-19 test results from the lab, one of our representatives will call you to inform you of your status.

Stay Germ-Free!

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to COVID-19. Remember to remain vigilant when taking steps to prevent exposure to the Coronavirus by thorough handwashing, social distancing, wearing a face covering and eye protection.

Remember, it’s still possible to spread the virus if you’re asymptomatic (not showing symptoms). Stay safe, and please feel free to give us a call with any questions or concerns.

The post Same-Day COVID-19 Testing Appointments Now Available! appeared first on Quick Med Care.

It’s hard enough to get kids to do their homework, let alone being responsible for guiding them through an entire curriculum. We’re going to take a moment to give you some tips on keeping your juniors motivated, positive, and productive.

Routine and Consistency are your Friends

Set a routine and see things fall into place, day after day, and in this instance, week after week. Perhaps learning is done in the morning, while fun activities are in the afternoon.

Please communicate with your kids and let them know what’s expected of them. Better yet, set goals and reward them once schoolwork has been accomplished.

Rewards can be simple, like additional playtime with a favorite game or activity, or a favorite food for dinner. Mix it up and spend time with your kids that involve out-of-the-ordinary adventures, like exploring the field behind your house or allowing the family dog to sleep in your child’s room.

Empower your Kids

What’s critical is that you empower kids to make up their rewards; however, you’re bound to get some pushback in some instances and be prepared to listen and empathize with frustrations. Allow your kids to feel involved with the learning-reward process on all levels.

Sometimes you won’t budge on rules, which is why a simple explanation can help your kids accept specific guidelines. Tantrums and nagging are bound to happen, so taking defiance in stride is essential for the family dynamic and your sanity. Take a breather and give your child a break before you reintroduce the problem topic.

Try to remain positive and know that as our communities continue to reopen, you will have more resources available to keep your kids occupied and mentally stimulated.

Remember to stay vigilant regarding handwashing, practicing social distancing, and wearing a face covering. If you or your kids feel sick, feel free to drop by one of our locations in central Florida, or schedule a telemedicine visit by clicking here. 

The post Homeschooling: How to Keep Kids Happy & Motivated appeared first on Quick Med Care.

You break out into a sweat: is it the flu or COVID-19?

The truth is that both illnesses, the flu (caused by the influenza virus) and COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus), are infectious respiratory illnesses. Symptoms may be similar, but different viruses cause these particular illnesses.

Similar symptoms include fever, cough, bodily aches and fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Both conditions cause symptoms that range from mild to severe and can lead to pneumonia. In a small percentage of instances, either one of these conditions can lead to death.

Say it, Don’t Spray It!

Now, where it gets tricky is when we talk about transmission. Both viruses are spread from person to person via droplets or spittle when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or merely is talking, with the droplets landing on the mouth or in the nose of a person within close proximity.

COVID-19 Airborne?

Some research suggests that the difference between these viruses is that COVID-19 may be spread via an airborne route. This means that the droplets are smaller and can travel farther distances, lingering longer in the air than droplets expelled by a person infected with the influenza virus. It’s important to note that the jury is still out on whether or not the coronavirus is spread via airborne routes.

However, what both viruses have in common is that they can be spread unwittingly from person to person several days before symptoms appear.

Bacterial Versus Viral Infections 

Infections caused by viruses are treated differently than those caused by bacterial infections. Quite simply, antibiotics are ineffective for treating conditions caused by viruses, like the flu or COVID-19.

Prevention is Key

For COVID-19 sufferers, symptoms can be addressed to provide some comfort, but that’s the only real relief available. What’s critical is preventing the spread of the virus through handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a face-covering when in public.

If you feel that you have COVID-19 or the flu, click here to make an appointment for a telemedicine appointment. All suspected COVID-19 cases will be directed to a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site.

The post COVID-19 Versus the Flu: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Click here to set up a telemedicine appointment and schedule rapid testing.

Who Should Have This Test?

The COVID-19 Rapid Test is for anyone who would like to know if they have been exposed to COVID-19 but are asymptomatic.

The test should be a consideration for folks who have high-risk individuals in the home with compromised or underdeveloped immune systems.

The COVID-19 Rapid Test enables healthcare workers to make a prompt diagnosis for COVID-19, notifying the patient that they should self-quarantine, and scheduling the patient for further testing.

The Cost of the COVID-19 Rapid Test

$99 – Includes the Telemedicine Visit and a Rapid COVID-19 Test, self-pay
$49 – Includes the Telemedicine Visit and a Rapid COVID-19 Test with insurance paying a portion

What Happens Next?

• If the test results are positive for an early stage infection, we will obtain a swab specimen for laboratory confirmation. You will need to follow up with your primary care provider via telemedicine, or go to an ER if you  are critically ill. You should self-quarantine until results are obtained.

• If the test results are positive for previous exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19), you will be directed to your primary care provider to determine your history of possible exposure. If you are actively sick, we will obtain a swab specimen for laboratory confirmation and direct you to self-quarantine until results are obtained.

• If your test results are negative, you will have peace of mind knowing that you are not infected nor putting those around you at risk.

Click here to set up a telemedicine appointment and schedule rapid testing.

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