Are you under the weather? Our team at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville wants to get you back in better health. The first step to making that happen? Determining what kind of illness has you down and out. Making Sense of Sickness The holidays are gone, and now it seems like it’s the season of stuffy noses, sore throats and watery eyes here in Pigeon Forge! To treat your symptoms, we first need to know what’s causing them. However, these symptoms can point in different directions. For example, they can all be signs that you or a loved one are suffering from the common cold, allergies or sinus problems. How can you really tell one from another? With Teacher Appreciation Days coming up at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge in February and Winterfest still going strong until Feb. 28, now is the best time to get your symptoms under control so that you and your family don’t miss out on the fun times ahead in our area! Let take a look at ways to tell the difference between a cold, allergies and a sinus infection. For starters, while a cold can come with a runny or stuffy nose like an allergy, a cold is usually also associated with a sore throat, fever and body aches. But when you suffer from sinusitis, not only could you have a sore throat and a light fever, but you might also be experiencing pain around your forehead and eyes, as well as bad breath and a cough. How long your symptoms are lasting can help distinguish between a cold, allergies and sinusitis. Allergies usually last until the person is no longer being exposed to a specific allergen. A cold, in contrast, may take a few days or a week to clear up. But when you suffer from sinusitis, your symptoms could linger for weeks or even months. If you’re feeling under the weather, the best thing to do is seek medical attention. A doctor can evaluate you to see what medical condition you’re suffering from and provide you with a specific, targeted treatment plan. Stop Illness in Its Tracks Not sick yet? Take steps to avoid illness altogether! Wash your hands every chance you get with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—to know how long that is, sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Be sure to wash your hands after coming in contact with people and frequently touched items, like doorknobs and light switches. In addition, you want to make sure you are getting enough sleep each night. Sleep allows your body to build up immunity and keep your body working at the top of its game. When you are sleep-deprived, your immunity is low, which means you have a higher chance of getting sick. Aim for between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night. Don’t let a cold, allergies or a sinus infection get the best of you this season. Stop by AFC Urgent Care Sevierville today so we can get you back to feeling as good as new in 2018!
