Blog Archive

6 Healthy Habits to Lower Your Blood Pressure Apr 2nd, 2024

High blood pressure doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. In fact, you might not even know you have high blood pressure at all until you get a high reading. Even though it’s asymptomatic, it isn’t innocent. Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. In...

I Think I Have the Flu: Should I Consider Antiviral Treatment? Mar 7th, 2024

Feeling under the weather? Symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue may leave you wondering if you have the flu. Since we’re still in the midst of flu season, it’s important to get tested to confirm if you’re dealing with the flu, a cold, or even COVID-19. Once you know...

Understanding How Diabetes Affects Your Cardiovascular Health Jan 26th, 2024

February is American Heart Month, and in honor of that, Dr. Rogers Walker and the team here at Walker Family Care in Little River, South Carolina, want to highlight the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular health.  Here’s what you need to know about how diabetes affects your heart. Understanding the...

The Benefits of Starting Your Year with an Annual Exam  Jan 3rd, 2024

The New Year is officially here, and that means it’s time to focus on your resolutions. According to the 2024 Forbes Health/OnePoll, the vast majority of resolutions focus on health, including weight loss, improved diet, and improved fitness.  Starting your year with an annual exam here at  Walker Family Care...

Does My Cut Need Stitches or Will It Heal on Its Own? Dec 4th, 2023

Accidents happen, and cuts are part of life. However, determining whether a cut requires stitches or if it can heal on its own can be a common dilemma. Read on as Dr. Rogers Walker highlights six factors to consider when assessing a cut and how the team here at Walker...

The Dangers of High Blood Pressure Nov 2nd, 2023

The American Heart Association refers to hypertension (high blood pressure) as a silent killer.  That’s because high blood pressure can have severe consequences if left untreated, and unfortunately, it can persist for years without any noticeable symptoms.  Untreated high blood pressure is serious, but thankfully, it’s easily detected quickly and...

When Is It Time to Call to Make a Sick Visit? Oct 5th, 2023

Feeling under the weather? Knowing when to pick up the phone and schedule a sick visit with Dr. Rogers Walker and the team here at Walker Family Care in Little River, South Carolina, can sometimes be a challenging decision. You might wonder if your symptoms are severe enough or if...

Why Diabetics Should Pay Extra Attention to Their Foot Care Sep 1st, 2023

If you’re one of the 37.3 million Americans who have diabetes, you know that constantly monitoring your blood sugar is essential. That’s because diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar levels; it can impact your entire body from your vision to your kidneys to your feet. That’s right: Foot care...

Back-to-School Physicals: 3 Steps to Prepare Aug 1st, 2023

Though fun but nowhere near as magical and endearing for parents, summer can be a time of great joy and wonder for kids. It’s traditionally the busiest time of year for movies (summer blockbusters have the name for a reason, after all), and trips to beaches, lakes, resorts, and national parks can...

Why Summer Is the Best Time for Botox Treatments Jul 13th, 2023

Recent years have seen a decrease in going out during the warm weather, but it looks like that is quickly changing. The Vacationer’s “Summer Travel Survey & Trends 2023” report shows 85% of Americans are planning to travel this summer, which is an increase over the last year. With more...

4 Early Signs of Diabetes and When to Worry Jun 1st, 2023

We have a dangerous love-hate relationship with sugar: In proper amounts, blood glucose is a form of sugar we need to fuel our bodies, but because it is in so many foods we eat, too much of it can lead to hyperglycemia and eventually diabetes. Normally, when we eat, our body creates the...

When Should I Seek Care for a Minor Laceration? May 11th, 2023

Your skin is both the largest organ you have (covering your entire body) and one of the most multifaceted. This layered organ helps your body regulate temperature, grows hair to provide warmth, keeps viruses and other outside threats from getting in, produces sweat, and allows you to touch. Sadly, it...

How to Ensure Natural-Looking Botox Apr 12th, 2023

Your skin is responsible for protecting your entire body from numerous external threats like viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances. This also means it is the part of your body most exposed to environmental conditions that affect skin, leading to numerous illnesses, and issues like wrinkles.  The creases, folds, and...

5 Important Benefits of Routine Blood Work Mar 9th, 2023

Blood is an essential part of how our body works, and it snakes its way through our circulatory system providing nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, oxygen, and heat wherever it's needed. It is made in our bone marrow and is composed of plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets....

How to Prepare Diabetes-Friendly Meals Feb 12th, 2023

In healthy doses, blood sugar (blood glucose) is a vital way for your body to get the fuel it needs for many things to function. When you eat foods like carbohydrates, your digestive system turns it into sugars, which are released into the blood and move into your cells, providing energy.  Your...

Understanding the Link Between Sleep and Blood Pressure Jan 19th, 2023

As recently as 2020, hypertension is still a common, dangerous, and preventable condition, affecting about 116 million adults in America (about half of the population) and in one year led to the deaths of over 600,000 people. Only about one in four people have the illness under control while 45%...

5 Ways to Treat a Cut or Laceration Dec 7th, 2022

From accidentally cutting your arm to scraping your knee, skin trauma like cuts and lacerations are incredibly common, and many are bad enough to warrant medical attention. In one year, 17.2 million people sought medical or emergency care for cuts, lacerations or other wounds, and many were bad enough to...

Is Winter Too Late for a Flu Shot? Nov 2nd, 2022

The weather is starting to change, and that means dealing with the familiar issues with colds and flu as well as getting the flu vaccine. Between October of last year and this past January, there were 13 million people sick with flu, over 6 million doctor visits, and up to...

Understanding Your Glucose Test Results Oct 7th, 2022

Our bodies need fuel to move and function. We can compare it in some ways to machines needing gas, batteries, or other forms of energy to work. Our bodies need fuel for its cells, and blood glucose, or blood sugar provides it through what we eat and drink. But what...

4 Common Signs of Strep Throat Sep 14th, 2022

Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is one of the common reasons for people to visit their physician, as well as a common reason for people to stay home from work. There are a wide variety of reasons for a sore throat, and one possible cause is strep throat.  Although strep throat is...

Avoid These Foods If You Have High Blood Pressure Aug 8th, 2022

Blood is vital to carrying important oxygen, nutrients, and other chemicals throughout your body, but how does it do it? Well, this is thanks to blood pressure, the force that moves your blood throughout your circulatory system from your heart. Your veins, blood vessels, and arteries are essentially a plumbing system...

I Have Diabetes. Now What? Jul 13th, 2022

Type 2 diabetes is a common, worldwide health condition, affecting 37.3 million people in America and  415 million people globally. This condition affects your body’s ability to produce insulin and regulate glucose, which when left untreated can lead to complications like cardiovascular disease, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and damage to your nerves, kidneys,...

What Happens at a Physical? Jun 1st, 2022

The challenges to stay healthy continue throughout our lives, as every age group has separate challenges to avoid injury and illness. Children often find themselves dealing with problems like sore throats, coughing, ear pain, and the common cold, while teens struggle with anxieties, asthma, colds, flu, tetanus, and other conditions....

Lifestyle Adjustments for High Blood Pressure May 1st, 2022

To move blood through your body, your heart beat creates pressure that pushes its way through your blood vessels, arteries, veins, and capillaries. This method of circulating blood throughout your body is known as blood pressure, and we need blood circulation to work properly to live. Nearly half of the...

I'm Nervous About Having My Blood Drawn Apr 1st, 2022

If you’re getting a physical or need to be tested for a specific condition, there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a blood test. A blood test can help determine the state of your health in a number of ways, and with over 7 billion of them being done annually,...

Do I Need a Flu Shot If I've Already Had the Flu This Year? Mar 1st, 2022

Influenza (known more commonly as the flu) is a viral respiratory condition that people get as frequently as the cold, which has many similar symptoms. Like the cold, it often resolves on its own with a combination of bed rest and over-the-counter medications, but unlike the col,d there is a...

Consider These Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Blood Pressure Feb 1st, 2022

Your blood is a vital way your body receives nutrients and oxygen to cells throughout your body, which makes a healthy cardiovascular system vital to an active and robust lifestyle. Your blood pressure helps to regulate the flow of blood in your cardiovascular system, so anything that affects it can...

When Would I Need an Ultrasound Instead of An X-Ray? Jan 1st, 2022

From minor scrapes to major accidents, millions of people find themselves getting injured and in many cases needing medical attention. With 97.9 million people seeking emergency room help for accidental injuries and about 25 million people going to their doctors for the same in 2018 alone, it’s no wonder different...

What Types of Wounds Require Stitches? Dec 6th, 2021

Your skin is your first line of defense against disease and injury, and because it is the first part of your body with which the outside world comes in contact, people find themselves dealing with cuts, scrapes, and scratches all the time. Many wounds are minor and require little attention,...

4 Telltale Signs Your Sore Throat May Be Strep Nov 8th, 2021

As we approach the end of the year and colder weather arrives, many upper respiratory illnesses will become more prevalent, such as the common cold, influenza, and strep throat. Unlike most of the others, however, strep throat is caused by a specific bacteria (group A streptococcus) that can lead to...

Why Is Blood Work Important? Oct 10th, 2021

With over 7 billion lab tests performed annually in America, clinical lab tests are an essential way to get information to help patients. Lab screenings and tests are a routine part of disease prevention and examining symptoms to find a problem.  Whether you’re getting a physical or being diagnosed for...

5 Symptoms of Diabetes Sep 12th, 2021

Diabetes is a disease that continues to affect millions in the US, with 1.5 million new patients being diagnosed every year. Of the 10.5% of Americans dealing with this condition, 7.3 million people don’t even realize they have it. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to many terrible complications, such...

Does Your Child Need a Physical Before the New School Year? Aug 10th, 2021

Children are getting less exercise, and it’s starting earlier than you think. A recent study reveals that children engage in less physical activity as early as age 8, with a larger decrease in exercise around age 11. In addition to building strong bones and muscles, physical exercise is important for...

What Can We Detect with a Blood Test? Jul 27th, 2021

Doctor visits are essential for millions of Americans to help in understanding their health issues, catching early signs of conditions, and making changes to live healthier lifestyles. Lab testing is a vital way for doctors to get information about your health, and blood tests are an extremely common and important...

The Benefits of Getting Exercise as a Family Jun 25th, 2021

Physical inactivity is a major concern for many in the US. Did you know that 25% of adults and 20% of high school students are not getting enough physical activity to stay healthy. Lack of exercise can increase the risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. A great...

Myths and Facts About the Flu Shot May 16th, 2021

The Influenza vaccine, generally known as the flu shot, is common in the fall and winter months, also known as cold and flu season. And millions of people go to get their flu shots every year.  In fact, recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that the...

How Does Diabetes Affect Energy Levels? Apr 11th, 2021

Lack of energy, or fatigue, can be caused by any number of normal activities, like manual labor, intense physical activity, and even lack of activity. Chronic fatigue is finding yourself exhausted frequently and can be linked to bad lifestyle habits, as well as a number of serious conditions. One treatable,...

Strep Throat: Why Early Treatment Is Key Mar 9th, 2021

You get the dreaded sore throat. With it comes that scratchiness and irritation that only seems to get worse when you eat, drink or swallow. And if your voice is hoarse when you speak, you just know something is wrong. You wonder if you have a cold, flu, or something...

How to Prepare for Your Annual Physical Feb 10th, 2021

According to an annual report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease and cancer continue to be the top two causes of death for men and women in the US, with conditions like diabetes and stroke also affecting millions. Many of these conditions are not just...

Does Stress Cause High Blood Pressure? Jan 17th, 2021

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition that currently affects millions of adults. Roughly 37 million people deal with uncontrolled hypertension, and it caused or contributed to nearly half a million deaths (494,873) in 2018 alone. Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and...

Resolve to Take Charge of Your Heart Health This Year With These Tips Dec 3rd, 2020

Cardiovascular disease, more commonly known as heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the US. A person dies from the condition every 36 seconds, which roughly averages to 655,000 American lives lost annually. Heart disease covers a range of conditions, including coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, congenital heart defects,...

7 Diabetic Dos and Don'ts Over the Holidays Nov 8th, 2020

Even though many families won't be doing as much traveling this year for the holidays, people will still be gathering with loved ones locally to celebrate. This will, no doubt, lead to big meals, comfort foods, and risk for people with diabetes. Many common holiday dishes are not good for...

Myths and Facts About Botox Oct 8th, 2020

Botox injections have gone from being used to treat crossed eyes (strabismus) in the 1970s to a variety of uses in medical and cosmetic applications. From wrinkle filling, migraine treatments, bladder dysfunction, to eye twitching, Botox seems to be everywhere, treating patients for any number of conditions. Over the years,...

Signs That Cut Requires Medical Care Sep 23rd, 2020

Cuts and scrapes are among the most common injuries people can get, and they can happen just about anywhere. Anything from landing on something with a sharp edge, breaking something that causes a cut, or just having an accident with a sharp object. Most of the time, cuts and scrapes...

Botox for Boosted Self-Confidence Aug 21st, 2020

Originally approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat various eye problems and cervical dystonia (a condition in which your neck muscles twitch involuntarily), Botox® has gone on to be used for a number of different treatments both medical and cosmetic, including migraines, foot pain, overactive bladder, and stomach issues....

Ultrasounds and Heart Disease Jul 23rd, 2020

One in four deaths in the US each year are from some form of heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for men and women in most ethnic groups. This covers a range of potentially fatal heart conditions, many of which are survivable if caught early enough. For...

Summer Allergies vs. Cold Symptoms Jun 22nd, 2020

Though many people would like to simply enjoy the summer heat, some will end up with a summer cold. Additionally, many will end up dealing with one or more of many different allergies. Both are common, but there are enough similarities in the symptoms that it can be hard to...

Why You Should Not Skip Your Annual Physical May 26th, 2020

Some form of medical care is an important part of everyone’s wellbeing. And in the US, with 139 million emergency room visits in 2017 alone, taking care of ourselves before things get that bad is vital. We can do many things to take better care of our health, and important...

Knowing the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Apr 21st, 2020

Diabetes is a disease that affects over 10% of the US population in people of all ages. There are different types of diabetes, and any of them can cause more problems if untreated. Left unchecked, this disease can lead to complications such as heart disease, nerve and kidney damage, skin...

Why the Flu Shot Is So Important Mar 10th, 2020

It’s that time of year again. The fall and winter weather gives us the dreaded cold and flu season. It is possible to catch these year-round, but this is the peak time for the symptoms to start getting people to race for home remedies and over-the-counter medicine. Although most colds...

5 Habits You Can Adopt to Lower Blood Pressure Feb 1st, 2020

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is one of the most common health problems in America. Of the 75 million people that deal with it across the country, just over half (54%) actually have it under control. Left unchecked, hypertension can lead to serious complications, including stroke and heart...

Kick the New Year Off With Preventive Checkups for the Entire Family Jan 1st, 2020

After the presents have all been opened and holiday parties ended, it’s the perfect time to plan you and your family’s yearly physicals. Dr. Rogers Walker and his caring team at Walker Urgent & Family Care in Little River, South Carolina help you give the gift of preventative healthcare to...

The Importance of Expert Management of Chronic Diseases Dec 1st, 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of Americans are living with a chronic disease, which is defined as a non-communicable disease that lasts more than a year and requires ongoing medical care. Some well-known chronic diseases are: Diabetes Asthma Arthritis Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Congestive...

It's Not Too Late to Protect Yourself Against the Flu Nov 1st, 2019

Flu season is upon us. Running from October to May, most cases hit late December to early March. The best way to protect yourself against the flu is a flu shot, and the ideal time to get yours is during the early fall. But don’t worry, it’s not too late...

Myths and Facts About Botox Oct 1st, 2019

A lot has been said about Botox®. So is it any wonder that figuring out what’s true and what isn’t can be difficult with all of the information that’s available? At Walker Family Care in Little River, South Carolina, we want to make sure that you’re fully informed about your...

How Does Stress Affect Your Blood Pressure? Sep 1st, 2019

Stress, in and of itself, isn’t a bad thing. It can trigger your fight-or-flight response and enable you to avoid danger. It can spur you to avoid being hit by something or enable you to pull someone from danger.  The problem arises when you feel stressed all the time. You...

5 Ways Your Life Changes After a Diabetes Diagnosis Aug 14th, 2019

While a diagnosis of diabetes can be life-altering, it isn’t a death sentence. After all, statistics show that 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the population, currently have diabetes. And with 84.1 million Americans considered prediabetic, the burden of managing diabetes definitely isn’t lonely.  At Walker Family Care, we’ve put...

How to Recognize Swimmer's Ear and How We Treat It Jul 24th, 2019

If you or your child start having ear pain, especially after swimming in a pool or lake, it could be swimmer’s ear. The medical term for swimmer’s ear is otitis externa, and it’s an infection of the outer ear canal that goes from your eardrum to the outside of your...

10 Tips for Safe Summer Travel Jun 20th, 2019

Summer is finally here! You probably have plans to visit friends and family, go to the beach or an adventure park, or even fly to a far-off destination or another country. No matter what your plans are, make the most of your trip with these 10 tips for safe summer...

How to Help Your Child Through an Injection May 14th, 2019

It doesn’t matter how old you are: No one likes to get a shot. The thing is, medical injections like vaccines are meant to keep us healthy, so even though there might be a bit of pain involved, it’s all for the good of your health. As an adult, even...

What Causes Hoarseness, and When Does It Require a Doctor's Care? Apr 26th, 2019

Hoarseness isn’t necessarily an uncommon health complaint, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. Even though having a hoarse, strained or raspy voice isn’t a disease on its own, it can still be a symptom of a serious underlying problem. Knowing when to see a doctor is the...

When Should I Seek Medical Care for a Skin Laceration? Mar 14th, 2019

What is a laceration? A laceration is a wound that develops when your soft tissues are torn. This type of wound is usually jagged and irregularly shaped. Lacerations can range in severity considerably, from small cuts to larger, open wounds that require stitches or other medical treatment.  Factors to consider before...

When a Sore Throat Warrants a Trip to the Doctor Feb 1st, 2019

Myth or Fact? You can tell if you have strep throat by how it looks. The truth is that not even your doctor can do that. Sore throats have many causes. Some resolve themselves, but others require medical intervention. Here's how to know when a sore throat warrants a trip...

Important Lifestyle Changes for Keeping Your Blood Pressure Under Control Jan 8th, 2019

According to the CDC, one out of every three adults has high blood pressure with another third in pre-hypertension, a stat in which blood pressure is higher than normal but not yet classified as hypertension. Managing high blood pressure isn't difficult, but it does take a commitment to making some lifestyle changes....

3 Symptoms of Diabetes That Might Surprise You Dec 19th, 2018

According to the CDC, over 30 million people in the US have diabetes. That's nearly 10% of the population. Somewhere around 90% of these cases are Type II diabetes, which is the kind of diabetes that people usually develop in adulthood as a result of diet and lifestyle. The CDC...

What to Expect During Your Annual Physical Exam Nov 28th, 2018

Seeing your doctor for an annual physical exam is a good way to ensure that you're in good health. Physical exams are designed to catch diseases and chronic conditions in their early stages. They also give you a chance to ask questions about your health and wellness. Some adults only see...

How Botox Works to Reduce the Signs of Aging Oct 30th, 2018

Botox is a popular neurotoxin that can safely reduce the signs of aging in the face. Although it gets a bad rap because it is made from the botulinum toxin — the same toxin responsible for botulism, Botox has few side effects and has been used safely for clinical applications since the...

How Can You Protect Yourself From The Flu? Sep 26th, 2018

If you’ve ever had the flu, you know it can be a pretty awful experience. It can take a person down for a week or more and keep them from work and other activities. The best way to fight the flu is to keep from getting it. Before flu season...

How Often Should I Get a Physical? Aug 27th, 2018

One of the best ways to safeguard your health is to take a proactive stance by visiting us regularly for a checkup. These all-important visits provide us with a glimpse at how your body is functioning and allow us to spot potential problems before they become serious, or even life-altering,...

5 Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure Jul 30th, 2018

Known as the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms, high blood pressure is a cause for concern when it comes to your health. Millions of Americans have high blood pressure and don’t realize it, so it’s essential to have your blood pressure checked regularly, as Dr. Rogers Walker and...