When it comes to getting top-tier medical care, there’s no replacement for the emergency services. However, urgent care clinics are able to treat a lot of the problems that you might be having without you having to spend all that money in the first place. And they’re usually more accessible as well, with some open seven days a week with extended hours to give you ample time to go there if you’re having a problem. Here are some of the services they can provide for you in your time of need.
There are approximately 20,000 physicians across the United States who practice urgent care medicine. And that means that urgent care clinics are equipped to help with all sorts of common problems you might be having such as headaches, the flu, lower back pain, sprains, fractures, and more. Some of these are very common medical issues, such as lower back pain. This affects an estimated 70% of Americans every day, and 40% of those suffering from it don’t go see a doctor or therapist for help. This could be for any number of reasons, but urgent care clinics are more than happy to see you whenever your back is hurting to get you medical attention at a fraction of the cost if you’d gone to the emergency room. And that’s not all.
Some of the most common problems diagnosed in an urgent care clinic are upper respiratory problems or wound repair. Upper respiratory conditions can be a sign of a number of other illnesses, including the flu or heart problems. By having the urgent care center take a look at you, you can get help so that your symptoms can be relieved somewhat and you can start living a little easier. so that you don’t develop more severe symptoms. In the case of the flu, it might even go away faster.
And as far as wound repair goes, it’s important to get medical first aid for any wounds that you may have sustained. An average of 25,000 Americans are estimated to suffer from an ankle sprain each day. Getting the problem checked out will help with the pain and make sure that it heals properly. This also goes for other problems such as fractures, scrapes, or burns. You should always get those checked out by medical professionals to ensure they heal properly and don’t get infected or stick around any longer than necessary.
Urgent care clinics are also helpful when it comes to having dizzy spells. Dizziness is the second most common complaint in doctor’s offices and will affect almost 70% of the population at some point in their lives. It’s also more common in older people, with over 65% of people older than 60 experiencing dizziness or lack of balance on a regular basis. These symptoms may not stop on their own, but there is medical help to make it more bearable for them. And that keeps them safer.
So while the emergency services are definitely the best choice when you have an emergency, urgent care centers are able to treat a lot of the same problems. If you want to get seen without having to worry about waiting a long time or paying a lot if it’s not an absolute emergency, these clinics are a great choice.