Walking into an urgent care center can be a stressful experience, especially if you are unfamiliar with the types of medical conditions they treat and do not understand what kind of help to expect when you arrive. But, understanding that most urgent care centers will address everything from mild illnesses to severe injuries can ease your anxiety and ensure that you promptly get the treatment you need. This article will examine the conditions commonly treated at urgent care centers – so read on for more information!
Contents
What Is Urgent Care Exactly?
Urgent care is a medical facility that provides quick and efficient access to medical treatments for non-life-threatening health concerns. It has drastically altered the healthcare landscape as we know it, allowing people with everything from an earache to a broken toe to receive treatment without the time commitment or cost associated with visiting a traditional hospital emergency room.
Urgent care centers offer shorter wait times than traditional hospital visits and can often provide diagnosis and treatment without needing an appointment. Patients can typically expect doctors to perform basic examinations, administer tests and procedures, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe treatments using in-house pharmacies at their disposal.
Common Conditions Treated At Urgent Care
It’s no secret that urgent care provides a wide range of services to patients, but what are some of the most common ailments and injuries treated in these facilities?
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a surprisingly common condition that can typically be treated effectively at urgent care. While most kidney stones will pass on their own, some people may need medical assistance to ensure that the stone does not cause infection or blockage of the urinary tract. Urgent cares are ideal for dealing with these situations, as it can offer quick attention, proper diagnostics, and treatment options.
For milder cases, medications such as alpha-blockers or NSAIDs can help reduce the pain caused by kidney stones and decrease the size of the stone so it can pass easier. In more severe cases, lithotripsy may be needed to break up or remove the stone completely to prevent infection and other complications. Regardless of your situation, urgent care centers are an excellent option for treating kidney stones as they offer timely diagnosis and effective treatments in an emergency room setting without a long wait time.
Broken Bones and Sprains
Broken bones and sprains are some of the most common conditions treated at urgent care units. Broken bones require hospital-level expertise, which urgent care centers often possess through their staff of experienced doctors and nurses. Depending on the area, they may or may not have access to X-ray machines and other imaging equipment, but many still provide treatments that go beyond simple splinting.
Sprains occur when tendons and ligaments stretch too far or tear entirely; they’re usually treated with physical therapy techniques like wrapping, stretching, massage, and alternating between cold and heat. At a good urgent care facility, patients can receive these services plus diagnosis via X-ray or ultrasound if necessary, medications for pain relief and swelling, and even proper bracing.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are incredibly common, especially among younger patients. While often painful and uncomfortable, these infections – typically when fluid builds up behind the eardrum – can be easily treated and managed with medications. Urgent care facilities provide an excellent option for those dealing with these ailments, given their long hours and ability to see patients without making a doctor’s appointment.
Depending on the severity of the infection, urgent care providers may be able to prescribe antibiotics or may refer patients to follow up with their regular primary care physicians for further treatment. Furthermore, walking into urgent care could mean a much shorter wait than at a physician’s office or emergency room.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is one of the many conditions treated at urgent care centers. It occurs when the air passages in the lungs, known as bronchi, become inflamed. Bronchitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or environmental irritants, resulting in fatigue, sore throat, and chest congestion. If untreated for too long, bronchitis can become a more severe condition, such as pneumonia.
Therefore it’s crucial to seek treatment at an urgent care clinic if you experience bronchitis symptoms, such as a persistent dry or wet cough that brings up phlegm but fails to clear after two weeks. Your provider may recommend medications to help control your symptoms and get over your infection quicker; however, some conditions need close monitoring, and further evaluation may be necessary for better management of the disease.
Hives and Rashes
Hives and rashes can appear in many different forms but often mean the same thing – an allergic reaction or a viral infection. Not only do hives and rashes result from exposure to something to which you are allergic, but they can also project signs of a more serious underlying condition such as lupus, infectious diseases, or even certain cancers. Given their fast-paced and efficient medical attention, visiting an urgent care center is your best bet for dealing with this condition.
Urgent care centers can diagnose and treat hives quickly and easily without overburdening typical hospital emergency departments. When looking for treatment for your hives or rash, an urgent care facility offers an excellent opportunity to receive quality medical attention without further inconveniencing you or compromising on care standards.
Pink Eye
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an acute eye condition commonly treated at urgent care facilities. This preventable yet contagious infection occurs when bacteria, a virus, or allergies cause the membrane over the whites of your eyes to become inflamed and swollen. Symptoms typically appear as redness in the whites of the eyes, itchiness, and crusted discharge which can cause blurry vision.
Fortunately, simple treatments for pink eye are available, with most cases resolving within two weeks. Over-the-counter medications and prescription antibiotics are viable options, and urgent care centers are readily equipped to provide guidance on the best treatment option. To reduce the risk of re-infection, it is paramount to practice good hygiene, including washing hands frequently and not sharing towels or face cloths with others.
Burns
Urgent care centers offer quick, convenient, and cost-effective access to optimal patient care for various disorders, including burns. With specialized equipment, medical personnel can assess the extent of burn-related injuries and provide professional treatment that may include dressing changes or treatments with creams, ointments, and bandages.
People who experience mild burns often benefit from proper homecare; however, those with more severe cases can potentially suffer disfiguring scars or other life-changing consequences, so it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Urgent care centers may also refer patients to specialist burns units if needed.
Go To A Urgent Care If You Experience These Conditions!
In conclusion, if you are experiencing hives, rashes, mono, pink eye, or burns and want to receive the best medical attention conveniently and affordably, then it is best to visit an urgent care center. They have specialized equipment and trained medical staff to help diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders quickly and easily. So why wait? Go to an urgent care center today and get the treatment you need!
