You have a ragged throat. Your nose will not stop leaking. You have not been able to keep food down for two days. The last place you want to be this uncomfortable is in the interminable emergency room waiting area.

So, do not go there. Opt for 24 hr urgent care instead. When it comes to emergency room alternatives, you have three: risk it by waiting it out, make an appointment with your primary care doctor or find the urgent care center closest to you.

Urgent care providers do not just make up one of the fastest-growing areas in the American health care system. They also account for about $14 billion in revenue every year. What does this mean for you? Less time waiting in sick agony and more time getting better, that is what.

Plenty of urgent care facilities are open round the clock, which is perfect for those situations when you get shut out of seeing your primary care physician. We know doctors get busy, but if you go with your local urgent care providers, you do not have to pay the price for this. Plus, you get the benefit of having a doctor with a lighter caseload spend more time treating your illness or injury.

Speaking of injury, an urgent medical care center is the perfect place to get that rolled or sprained ankle check out. Plenty of urgent care providers now come equipped with X-ray machines as well as point-of-care dispensing, which allows you to pick up your prescriptions before you even leave. Talk about a one-stop shop! Urgent care providers have also been certified as places of care by the Urgent Care Association of America since 2009. Look for the certification as you enter the clinic.

Now you know how urgent care works. The next time you are injured or sick with a non-life threatening condition, see how urgent care providers can work for you. And get better! Get more on this here.