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4 Simple Tips for National Nutrition Month

apple-and-flexable-measuring-tapeWhen it comes to taking care of yourself, there is simply no substitute for good nutrition. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is critical for both feeling your best and helping to lower your risk of serious health conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure. So in honor of the upcoming National Nutrition Month this March, our healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought now would be a great time to focus on nutrition and what our patients can do to improve their eating. So with this in mind, we wanted to present the following simple tips to help anyone improve their nutritional habits.

Tip #1: Don’t Just Eat Greens, Eat Them First

We all know how important it is to incorporate healthy vegetables into your diet. And one simple way to make sure that greens are not just included in your meal, but providing their full nutritional value, is to make an effort to start your meal with them. Consider it a healthy (and often delicious) opening course. This way, you avoid the risk of being too full or not interested in eating what might be the most important part of your meal.

Tip #2: Try To Eat Slower

Overeating can be a major deterrent to healthy nutrition. And it’s a fact that eating too fast and overeating often go hand-in-hand. Our appetites are controlled by hormones that send signals to our brains when we are feeling hungry or full. However, it can take roughly 20 minutes for our brains to receive this message about being full, making it very easy to eat more than we need to. So naturally, taking your time and eating more slowly can allow the brain more time to perceive that you are full. Additionally, more thorough chewing while eating is also linked to better weight management.

Tip #3: Let Meal Planning Guide You To Healthier Choices

It’s always nice to have a plan. And when it comes to trying to improve your diet, meal planning can be remarkably helpful. Making coherent meal plans for your week can help make sure you are eating right, getting enough of the nutrients that matter most (lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies), and maintain some variety in your diet. Additionally, doing so can help save you money on ingredients that are inevitably wasted while shopping without a plan, or prevent you from spur-of-the-moment meals out that are both expensive and unhealthy.

Tip #4: How You Cook Your Food Matters

Cooking your own meals can be fun, rewarding, and ultimately beneficial to your nutrition. But keep in mind that the manner in which you cook your food can matter a great deal. A piece of chicken that is grilled or roasted in the oven will obviously be much better for you than one that is fried in unhealthy oil. Utilizing an air fryer can also be a great way to enjoy some crispy fried goodness without the guilt.

Here at Abraham Family Medicine, nothing is more important to us than the health and wellbeing of our patients, and nutrition is a huge part of that. Nutrition and healthy eating are just a few of the topics we cover at annual-wellness appointments in our office. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert healthcare providers, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

3 Simple Steps To Help Improve Your Heart Health

plastic-heart-wrapped-by-stethoscopeWith February just around the corner, we wanted to turn our attention to American Heart Month and the importance of prioritizing heart health. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, our healthcare providers often stress the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle from a young age to effectively reduce your risk of heart disease. However, it’s also never too late to get yourself back on the right track. This is why we wanted to provide some simple steps that anyone can take to help improve their heart health.

Step #1: Make Your Diet More Heart-Healthy

It’s easy to say “eat better”, but what exactly does this mean when it comes to heart-health? For starters, we recommend starting your day with a healthy breakfast rich in fresh fruit, whole grains (oatmeal or whole wheat toast). Avoid unhealthy snacks throughout the day like fried, salty chips. At dinner time, prioritize lean proteins (salmon, chicken breast), fresh vegetables, and other healthy ingredients like beans.

Step #2: Find Healthy Stress Management Tools

Feeling stressed from time to time is unavoidable, but how you handle those feelings can make a big difference when it comes to your heart. Poorly managed stress over time can contribute to higher blood pressure and other vital risk factors for heart disease. Instead of dealing with your stress in unhealthy ways like overeating or drinking alcohol, we recommend finding healthier ways to relieve some of this tension. This can include making time for regular physical activity, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, or activities like yoga or meditation.

Step #3: Make Healthy Sleep a Priority

Making sure to get a good night’s sleep is hugely beneficial to many aspects of a person’s health and wellness, including helping to strengthen the heart. Poor sleep habits can lead to increased stress, high blood pressure, and weight gain, all of which can negatively impact heart health. We recommend doing what you can to get at least eight hours of sleep each night, including keeping your sleeping area cool and turning off lit devices like phones and televisions in the lead-up to your bedtime routine.

Heart health is obviously incredibly important and our expert providers are always here to help our patients put themselves in the best position to achieve positive long-term health and wellness. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

3 Health Resolutions to Start The New Year Off Right!

apple-and-flexable-measuring-tapeThe start of another new year is here, and all of us at Abraham Family Medicine could not be more excited to welcome 2025. For many people, the new year can provide a terrific opportunity to look inward and think about the ways that we can refine ourselves in some way. This usually takes the form of a New Year’s Resolution. These resolutions are often set as a way to help us improve the state of our health. So in the spirit of the new year, our healthcare providers wanted to provide a few simple healthcare resolutions that anyone could benefit from.

Resolution #1: Start The New Year With An Annual Wellness Check

There is nothing that we recommend more than scheduling an annual check-up in January in order to get the new year started off right. Starting the year with an annual wellness visit can help gain a better understanding of the state of your health, while helping to determine your risk of potentially serious illnesses and health conditions. In our office, these check-ups include a series of diagnostic health screenings and discussions of the potential lifestyle adjustments that could promote long-term health and wellness.

Resolution #2: Find Extra Physical Activity Where & When You Can

Regular exercise and physical activity are incredibly important for people of all ages. And while we know it can be difficult to find the time, energy, and motivation to go to the gym as often as we should, there are still plenty of ways to be physically active outside of the context of a gym workout. Even something as minor as 15 minutes a day of walking, doing housework, sports or other simple activities can help lower your risk of serious health concerns like high blood pressure and heart disease. Any physical activity is better than none at all. And it is important to start somewhere and choose something that makes sense for you and your lifestyle.

Resolution #3: Take Pride in Incremental Progress

While everyone wants to fully achieve their goals, it’s important not to get discouraged in cases where you don’t quite make it all the way. If you wanted to lose 15 pounds, but only lost 10, it’s still an accomplishment, not a setback, and a great step towards your ultimate ambition. Staying the course, celebrating small victories, and not beating yourself up too much (or quitting entirely) will ultimately help you.

An annual check-up appointment with one of our providers can be the perfect way to get your new year started off right. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

We’re So Thankful For These Incredible Patient Testimonials!

female-face-with-colorful-leaf-backgroundThanksgiving is right around the corner, and everyone here at Abraham Family Medicine is in a particularly thankful and giving mood. A big part of this is knowing that we have the best, most loyal, and most generous patients in the world. It means so much to us to be able to provide such a wide selection of family medicine services, and based on some of the reviews that we have received lately, it apparently means a lot to you all as well. So in the spirit of sharing this Thanksgiving season, we wanted to show off some of the incredible family medicine testimonials that we have received from our real patients. All reviews have been pulled from Google.

“Waiting for long periods of time at the doctor’s office can be the pits when you are already in pain or anxious about a diagnosis. This is what keeps me away unless absolutely necessary. Wellness exams are extremely important, but I’ve been slow to make them. I’ve learned to deal with daily pain and other signs of aging on my own. Yesterday I had my much needed wellness exam at Dr. Abraham’s office and did not wait long at all. Once I was seen I didn’t feel rushed. The providers were genuinely concerned with my concerns and with my physical, as well as mental, health. The environment is welcoming as soon as you walk in. Looking forward to my next year’s appointment and won’t put off any concerns I have before then. God Bless you all!”

– Deanna

“Prompt, patient, caring, detailed, cheerful! From check-in to check-out I was given personal attention and there was no rush during my personal time with the nurses and doctor. Very professional! I left feeling I was in good hands and well taken care of.”

– Pamela

“I have been going to Dr. Abraham for over 30 years. He is an excellent doctor and always addresses my needs. The nurse, Achsah, I had today is my favorite. She is always upbeat, caring and attentive. Front desk Shannon always greets me by name and is always pleasant and helpful. She always goes the “extra mile” to help me. I would recommend this office to my family and friends. I have seen Dr. Goldie, Neil Bronaugh, and Kasey in the absence of Dr. Abraham. I would also recommend them as well.”

– Ginger

“The tech was very friendly, jovial, and helpful. I felt comfortable discussing anything with her. The doctor also took time to listen and explained things to me as well. Really appreciated both of them.”

– Rebecca

We want to thank all of our wonderful patients for everything they’ve done to help make us the best practice we can be. Your trust in us and allowing us to provide your medical care is a responsibility that we do not take lightly. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

How Common is Diabetes for Adults in the US?

blood-tester-in-handNovember is American Diabetes Month here in the US. As healthcare providers and educators, we here at Abraham Family Medicine feel it is our duty to provide helpful information to our patients on conditions like diabetes to reinforce how common and serious they can be. Diabetes is incredibly common for people of all ages, but typically develops once someone is already in their adult years (type 2 diabetes). This is why it’s so critical to understand diabetes and be proactive when it comes to preventing it. Today, we thought it would be instructive to provide some basic statistics about diabetes to show just how common it is, and offer some recommendations on how to prevent or treat it.

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 38.4 million people in the US (or 11.6% of the total US population) are currently living with diabetes.
  • About 8.7 million of these cases (just under 23%) are currently undiagnosed.
  • About 1.2 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year in the US.
  • An additional 97.6 million American adults (38% of the adult population) have prediabetes, and are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
  • Diabetes risk increases with age, typically starting around age 45.
  • Over 29% of Americans age 65 and older are living with diabetes.

Thankfully, diabetes can often be prevented. In many cases, diabetes and prediabetes develop as a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits that can be reversed or altered. This means making healthy adjustments to your lifestyle including eating a healthier diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins), getting more exercise, quitting smoking, and always making sure to drink plenty of water each day.

It’s important to visit your healthcare provider for an annual check-up appointment each year to make sure that you are healthy and discuss what you can do to avoid health conditions like diabetes. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

What Should I Know About My Breast Cancer Risk?

three-smiling-women-huggingOctober is approaching, which means so too is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is something that has touched so many of us in some form, and it’s so important for women of all ages to understand their risk of developing it. This month, we wanted to use a blog post to discuss a few things that every woman should know about breast cancer and what can be done to reduce their risk of developing it as the years go on.

Family History Is Incredibly Important

It cannot be said enough how important it is for women to know their family history of breast cancer. Having a history of breast cancer on either side of your family tree can be a leading indicator of increased breast cancer risk and something that no one should take lightly. While breast cancer cannot be fully prevented, having this knowledge is crucial when it comes to being proactive and taking additional steps to ensure that any possible irregularities are detected as early as possible. It’s also very important to know if you have a family history of BRCA mutations, as this greatly increases the chances of developing breast cancer in your lifetime

Some Breast Cancer Risk Factors Can Be Controlled

While there is obviously no way to control certain breast cancer risk factors like your family history or genetics, some breast cancer risk factors can increase based on certain lifestyle habits and factors. For instance, being overweight and not exercising regularly can increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer. Alcohol consumption and use of nicotine products can also contribute to breast cancer risk. It’s imperative to speak with your healthcare provider at your next check-up to see what you can do to cut down on your risk.

Other Breast Issues Can Increase Breast Cancer Risk

It’s a fact that women who have had breast cancer before are more likely to experience the condition for a second time. However, other noncancerous health concerns that affect the breasts can also increase breast cancer risk. This includes atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ. If you have experienced any breast-related health concerns in the past, it’s important to be extra vigilant.

Knowing about your risk can be incredibly helpful, but there is obviously no substitute for regular breast cancer screenings. Catching breast cancer in its early stages is a vital step towards effectively treating it if it should occur. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

4 Helpful Tips for Healthy Aging Month!

woman-and-man-exercising-on-fitness-trailAs we age, our ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle only becomes more and more important. The risk of developing chronic disease or medical conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes increases over time, which is why it’s so critical to be proactive about your health as the years go on. September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on the things we can do to improve the state of our overall health in order to age as gracefully as possible. With this in mind, our healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine were happy to provide a few tips in the spirit of healthy aging.

Prioritize Heart Health

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for adults in the US. But common forms of heart disease like heart attacks and congestive heart failure can be prevented, or at least have their risks minimized by living a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes regular physical activity (even just taking a daily walk) and eating a healthy diet rich in fiber, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Make The Right Lifestyle Adjustments

It’s amazing how small adjustments to your lifestyle can add up, especially when compounded together. No one should ever smoke, but the need to quit all nicotine only becomes more pressing as the years go on. The same goes for excessive alcohol consumption, as alcohol can contribute to a wide variety of health problems. If you do drink, we recommend sticking to one drink a day or less. Prioritizing healthy sleep habits like developing a sturdy bedtime routine and sticking with it, as well as doing something to relax before bedtime, can also pay major dividends.

Keep Your Mind Active

Like the body, our minds can also benefit from extra care, maintenance, and activity as we age. Many older people may experience memory issues, changes in cognitive abilities, reflexes, and more. But these effects too can be minimized with the right care and mental wellness regimen. Staying socially active is hugely helpful. So too are activities that keep the mind active and working like dancing, tai chi, puzzles, word games, and any activity that requires thinking.

Annual Wellness Appointments Are a Must

Seeing your doctor for an annual check-up appointment is a great way to gauge the status of your overall health and lay the groundwork for many more healthy years ahead. Doing so can help you gain a better understanding of your mental and physical health, get some essential health screenings done, and reconnect with your healthcare provider. These annual appointments are a cornerstone to wellness as we age and should not be taken for granted. This is an important time to be very transparent with your doctor and ensure they know your lifestyle habits and your genetic health history.

There’s no such thing as a bad time to work to improve your health, but we hope this month and these tips can serve as a jumping off point for meaningful, lasting change. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Abraham Medicine: Taking Pride in Providing Geriatric Medicine

doctor-assists-older-patientHere at Abraham Family Medicine, we always strive to provide outstanding medical care to patients of all ages. We take special pride in being able to help older patients and being attentive to the unique needs that advanced age can demand. As we age, it becomes more and more important to be aware of the state of our health and do what we can to be proactive when it comes to health and wellness. With this in mind, we wanted to discuss our geriatric medicine services and the positive impact that they can have on our patients and their health.

Our geriatric medicine services prioritize prevention and ongoing maintenance to ensure the best-possible quality of life for our patients. These services range from formulating customized senior care plans to treatment and management of common health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, dementia and memory issues, arthritis, and much more. Our staff of experienced providers work to regularly monitor any age-related medical conditions and adjust methods as needed over the years.

To see for yourself how critical this level of care can be for aging patients, we wanted to present the following testimonials from our patients:

“Took my 84-year old father to Abraham Family Medicine for a visit. He is a stroke victim and needed a primary care physician as we just moved him to Georgia. Everyone at the office was very nice and patient with us. They were very thorough in answering all of our questions and explaining things to us. Will definitely keep using this practice.”

– Lori M (Google)

“I love Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine! I have been a patient for over 10 years and have never, ever had anything but caring, kind, and excellent care from every single person. I refer friends to the practice whenever I learn of anyone needing a doctor. If you are looking for excellent care, superior medical professionals, and a feeling that you are truly cared about, this is the best medical practice you will ever find.”

– Janet P (Google)

Being proactive about your health is important at any age, but it only becomes more essential as the years go on. If you or a loved one is in need of specialized care, our experts have the experience and knowledge to be there for you when you need us most. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Tips To Remember for Healthy Vision Month!

woman-at-desk-suffering-from-eye-strainGood vision is one of those things that is both incredibly important to our overall wellness, and easy to take for granted. However, our eyes must be taken care of in order to promote their health and the best possible vision over time. Additionally, eye health is closely tied to many health issues including diabetes, muscular sclerosis, migraines, and more, which is why it makes sense to be aware of changes to your eyes. Since July is Healthy Vision Month, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought now would be a great time to set our sights on what people can do to promote eye health and wellness. So keep reading for a few simple tips that can help anyone maintain healthy eyes and clear vision.

Don’t Ignore Any Changes To Your Vision

The way that a person’s vision can change over time can be subtle and at times even hard to notice. However, it’s important to be vigilant and speak to a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your vision, even small ones. This can mean blurriness in certain situations, difficulty seeing as well at night (especially when driving), noticeable squinting, flashes of light, dry eyes, and many other things that can be signs of slightly altered vision. Even minor changes can have a major impact if not properly addressed.

Protect Your Eyes From The Sun

In addition to being fashionable, a good pair of sunglasses can do wonders for protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure (especially this time of year) can cause a wide variety of vision issues and also increase your chances of developing chronic conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration. When selecting a pair of sunglasses, look for a pair that is effective against both UVA and UVB rays.

Give Your Eyes a Break From Screen Time

Daily screen time is a natural part of life, but making sure to give your eyes an occasional break from computer, phone, tablet, and/or television screens throughout the day is very highly recommended. Doing so can help prevent eyestrain, as well as headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes, and more. Try using the 20/20/20 rule, which calls for looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds at least once every 20 minutes during any prolonged period of uninterrupted screen time.

Always Avoid Smoking

Many people do not realize that smoking is as bad for their eyes as it is for the rest of the body. Smoking regularly can cause damage to the optic nerve while increasing the risk for cataracts and many other medical problems.

During annual appointments in our office, we discuss if our patients have noticed any changes to their vision since their last visit to make sure no issues have occurred. This is part of our philosophy of providing comprehensive health and wellness services for all of our patients. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

3 Things To Know for Men’s Health Month This June

male-visits-doctorJune is Men’s Health Month here in the US, which is why the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine are imploring our readers to use this time to think more seriously about the state of their health. It’s a fact that on average in the US, men die five years younger than women, and at higher rates than women of 9 of the 10 highest causes of death. Understanding your overall health, and being aware of healthy habits and choices, is critical when it comes to promoting long-term wellness. To help our readers put their best feet forward this June, we wanted to provide a few useful pieces of information about men’s health that everyone should be aware of:

#1: Family Histories Provide Invaluable Knowledge

According to a survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, 77% of male responders were not aware if they had a family history of common urological issues and 64% said the same thing when asked about common cancers for men. These issues include prostate cancer, testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and more. Knowing your family history can provide a needed sense of caution and proactivity when it comes to screening for these issues and detecting them as early as possible.

#2: Take Note of Your Blood Pressure

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that over half of all men age 18 and older in the US have high blood pressure (hypertension). This is a serious concern that can drastically increase a person’s risk of major health issues like heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and many more. So check your blood pressure regularly and speak with your healthcare provider about what you can do to better manage it if need be.

#3: You Are What Your Eat… and Drink

We all know that eating a healthy diet is important. This means prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while cutting back on overly fatty, salty, or fried foods. But alcohol consumption is another thing that guys should pay more attention to in regards to their health. The most recent edition of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that over 33 million males aged 12 and older (over 24% in this age group) reported binge drinking in the past month. For men, this is defined as drinking five or more beverages containing alcohol within a roughly two hour window.

Here at Abraham Family Medicine, our providers have many years of experience performing annual exams for men of all ages. These annual appointments are critical to gaining a complete sense of your overall health and detecting anything irregular before it becomes a more serious issue. We even conduct regular blood tests to ensure there are no red flags and perform diagnostic testing when needed. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

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