Northwest Family Clinics

Northwest Family Clinics A physician-owned group of specialists in family medicine, focused on providing the highest quality of medical care to patients in all stages of life.

Northwest Family Clinics are independently owned and believe in treating the patient not the ailment. With a whole life care approach; we are with our patient's from birth until geriatric years, getting to know who they are and where they come from within these many years of care.

What your child sees on social media isn’t random. It’s curated… by an algorithm designed to keep them watching.That mea...
09/02/2026

What your child sees on social media isn’t random. It’s curated… by an algorithm designed to keep them watching.

That means:
• One video about body image turns into dozens
• One sad post leads to more emotional content
• One curiosity can quickly become a full feed

Social media's goal isn’t safety. The goal is attention. And for kids, that matters.
Because developing brains don’t always pause and question what they’re seeing. They absorb it.

This is why “just limit screen time” isn’t enough.

What they’re consuming matters just as much as how long they’re on.

Back-to-school = Increased exposure to germsThe good news? You don't need to keep your child in a bubble to help them st...
08/31/2026

Back-to-school = Increased exposure to germs

The good news? You don't need to keep your child in a bubble to help them stay healthy. A few simple habits really do make a difference:
✔ Wash hands before eating and after using the restroom.
✔ Send a refillable water bottle to help keep them hydrated.
✔ Aim for a consistent bedtime. Sleep plays a big role in supporting the immune system.
✔ Pack fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich snacks when possible.
✔ Keep your child home if they have a fever or are too sick to participate in school.

The first few weeks of school are when many common viruses begin making the rounds. While it's impossible to avoid every illness, healthy routines can help reduce the spread and support your child's recovery if they do get sick.

What's one thing your family always does to stay healthy during back-to-school season?

One of the most common questions parents ask is: “When is my child ready for social media?”The answer is almost never ju...
08/17/2026

One of the most common questions parents ask is: “When is my child ready for social media?”

The answer is almost never just an age.

Here’s what actually matters more than turning a certain age:
-Can they handle negative feedback without falling apart
-Do they understand what should stay private and why
-Are they constantly seeking validation from peers
-Will they come to you if something feels off

Research suggests many kids aren’t truly ready until closer to 14–16, even though most platforms allow access at 13.

And here’s something important to remember, social media is not something your child needs.

If you’re unsure, waiting is not harmful. In many cases, it’s protective.

A friendly reminder that our Crystal Urgent Care Clinic will be closed 8/1.
08/01/2026

A friendly reminder that our Crystal Urgent Care Clinic will be closed 8/1.

Love to soak up that sunshine? So do we, but it's important to enjoy sunshine safely.Benefits of Sunlight -Sunlight trig...
07/31/2026

Love to soak up that sunshine? So do we, but it's important to enjoy sunshine safely.

Benefits of Sunlight
-Sunlight triggers vitamin D production
-Supports serotonin and mood
-Regulates sleep cycles
-Has real immune benefits that go beyond what a supplement can fully replicate

While sunshine has health benefits, it is important to be intentional about exposure.

A short period of moderate sun on the arms and legs during midday provides meaningful vitamin D benefits. Beyond that, broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, protective clothing, hats, and shade during peak hours between 10am and 4pm can decrease the risk of skin cancer over a lifetime.

Tip: The single most common sunscreen mistake is not applying enough. A full ounce, about a shot glass, is needed to cover an adult body adequately.

Summer time and the heat means all of us, especially our kiddos, at are at an increased risk of dehydration.Most parents...
07/29/2026

Summer time and the heat means all of us, especially our kiddos, at are at an increased risk of dehydration.

Most parents know to watch for sunken eyes and extreme lethargy as signs of dehydration in their children. But by the time those signs appear, dehydration has already progressed further than ideal.

The early signs dehydration are subtler and easier to miss. Which include:
-A drop in energy and enthusiasm
-Unusual irritability
-A dry or sticky mouth
-Going longer than usual without urinating
-Crying without producing tears

In summer especially, kids absorbed in outdoor play will miss their thirst signals completely. Water breaks on a schedule rather than waiting until they ask make a bigger difference than most parents realize. Also, keep a water bottle close to them at all times.

We are feeling the heat and that means an increase risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is the warni...
07/27/2026

We are feeling the heat and that means an increase risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion is the warning sign before heat stroke, and knowing the difference matters.

Heat exhaustion is when the person is still sweating and their body is still trying to cool itself. Moving them to a cool environment and giving fluids addresses it in most cases.
Symptoms:
-heavy sweating
-cool and pale skin
-a fast weak pulse,
-nausea
-muscle cramps
-tiredness
-dizziness

Heat stroke is THE emergency. Heat stroke requires emergency care immediately. It is life threatening and cannot be managed at home.
Signs:
-skin becomes hot and red,
-sweating stops
-the pulse is fast and strong
-confusion or loss of consciousness can occur.

Starting a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic® or Wegovy® and feeling nauseous, bloated, or generally off in the first few ...
07/03/2026

Starting a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic® or Wegovy® and feeling nauseous, bloated, or generally off in the first few weeks is not a sign something is wrong. It is usually a sign that the medication working exactly as intended.

GLP-1 medications slow down how quickly food leaves the stomach, which is what reduces appetite and improves blood sugar, but that same mechanism is also why the digestive side effects happen. The most important thing to know is that they improve significantly for most people after the body adjusts.

Things that can help:
-Eating smaller meals
-Avoiding high fat foods
-Staying well hydrated
-Stop eating before you feel full rather than when you feel full

However, if you are experiencing severe persistent upper abdominal pain, which can be a sign of pancreatitis, you should see your provider as soon as possible.

Just a friendly reminder of our holiday hours this week.7/3: Urgent Care 8:00 AM - 12:00 PMMain ClinicsClosed7/4: Urgent...
07/01/2026

Just a friendly reminder of our holiday hours this week.

7/3:
Urgent Care
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Main Clinics
Closed

7/4:
Urgent Care
Closed
Main Clinics
Closed

Ear pain after swimming is not always swimmer's ear, and ear pain during a cold is not always a middle ear infection. Kn...
06/29/2026

Ear pain after swimming is not always swimmer's ear, and ear pain during a cold is not always a middle ear infection.

Knowing the difference matters because the treatment for one does not work for the other.

The most useful test you can do at home: gently press the small cartilage bump in front of the ear canal. If that causes significant pain, swimmer's ear is likely. If it doesn't, a middle ear infection is more probable.

Swimmer's ear lives in the outer ear canal and needs antibiotic ear drops. A middle ear infection lives behind the eardrum and needs oral antibiotics when treatment is required. Green or yellow ear drainage, by the way, does not tell you which one you're dealing with. A doctor's assessment does.

When in doubt bring them in.

Address

5700 Bottineau Boulevard
Crystal, MN
55429

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

763-504-6500

Website

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