Urgent Care

Walking pneumonia, (also referred to as atypical pneumonia) results from an infection in the lungs with signs and symptoms that often resemble other respiratory infections, quite similar to a cold. It is fairly common throughout the United States and is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumonia. There are different kinds of pneumonia representing varying degrees of severity, but walking pneumonia falls into the least serious kind. Many people may think they just have a viral respiratory infection and don’t realize they have it.

February is American Heart Month, and much of this month will be spent talking of heart wellness and prevention of heart disease. Heart attacks remain a leading cause of mortality in both men and women. Because heart disease is so prevalent, knowing what to do and being prepared to act could save a life.

There are a variety of injuries that can occur to our skin and other soft tissues, like the mouth and tongue, which may require professional care. There can also be injuries to underlying tissues, including adipose tissue (fat), muscles and tendons, and sometimes ligaments and bone. Numerous blood vessels (arteries and veins) and important nerves throughout these layers can be injured as well. Our focus in this segment is to help our readers identify when a soft tissue wound needs sutures or more in-depth care, as opposed to simple home treatment.

If you live in or around West Michigan, shoveling snow in the winter is inevitable. While it is a great form of physical activity, for some people it can be dangerous and may increase your risk of a heart attack. Before you trek outside to clear your driveway, make sure that you’re prepared to do it safely with these tips:

As the months turn colder and winter approaches, it’s time to think about the upcoming influenza season. Just like you prepare your home for the worst of the winter elements by insulating windows, buying a shovel, or salting your driveway, you should prepare your body to fight the influenza virus. One of your best defenses against the flu is arming yourself with education – learn about the flu and go out into winter prepared to fight not only the worst winter storm, but the influenza virus, too. Here are some important questions and answers about influenza to help you prepare:

Whenever an unexpected illness or injury occurs, a decision is required: where to receive a medical evaluation and treatment? Many times your private physician’s office may be able to accommodate an urgent medical problem on the same day; but if not, residents and visitors of Holland and Zeeland are fortunate to have a choice of either emergency care or urgent care. Then, the question quickly becomes: where should I go? How early or late are they open? What is the expected wait time? Will my insurance cover the visit?

Hours vs. Minutes