Family Medicine

November 11, 2021

Raising Awareness For American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month here in the US. While this may seem like common knowledge to many people, it’s important to reiterate that diabetes is one of the most common health conditions facing American adults and children. However, in many cases, diabetes can be prevented or at least managed with the right care, treatment, and healthy lifestyle habits. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some helpful information about diabetes for our readers.

We wanted to begin by providing some basic stats to reinforce just how prevalent diabetes is. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 34.2 million Americans (10.5% of the US population) are currently living with diabetes. Of these cases, over 7.3 million cases are currently undiagnosed. An additional 88 million Americans (including over 24 million over the age of 65) have prediabetes and are at high risk of developing diabetes.

Needless to say, the threat of diabetes is something that cannot be ignored. Some people are born with diabetes (this is known as type 1 diabetes) and in these cases, prevention is not possible. However, there are several risk factors to be aware of that can contribute to the development of diabetes later in life (type 2 diabetes).

These diabetes risk factors include:

Being overweight
A lack of regular physical activity
A family history of diabetes
High blood pressure
Certain pre-existing medical conditions including polycystic ovary syndrome in women

The good news is that diabetes can be prevented. We recommend eating a healthy diet, low in both sugary foods and refined carbs. Exercising regularly can help increase insulin secretion and sensitivity, which may assist in reducing the progression from prediabetes to diabetes. It’s also important to drink plenty of water and avoid smoking.

One of the most effective methods for preventing and treating diabetes is to visit your healthcare provider for annual check-up appointments to make sure that you are healthy. For more information on diabetes or 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, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville, and Stone Mountain.

September 30, 2021

Taking a Statistical Look at Breast Cancer

As many of our readers know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine urge our patients to be aware of their breast cancer risk and take a proactive approach to maintain their health as the years go on. This means keeping up with annual breast cancer screenings and performing regular breast self-exams. To help put the prevalence of this illness into perspective, we have compiled recent breast cancer statistics from experts in the field. All statistics are provided by the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Roughly 13% of all women in the US (or about 1 in every 8) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Over 281,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year.
An additional 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, although the risk for men is considerably lower.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, behind only lung cancer.
As of January of this year, there were more than 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer living in the US, including those currently being treated and those who have completed their treatment.
Breast cancer rates are highest for women between the ages of 60-84.
A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer nearly doubles in cases where she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has previously been diagnosed.

Understanding your potential risk is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. Women can potentially lower their breast cancer risk by living a healthy lifestyle including a nutritious diet, regular daily exercise, and avoiding alcohol.

While it may not be possible to prevent breast cancer, making sure that it is detected in a timely manner is incredibly important. For more information or 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, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

August 9, 2021

Ask the Doctors: Diagnostic Testing at Abraham Family Medicine

Diagnostic testing is an incredibly powerful tool in the world of medicine. Before any treatment can begin, an accurate diagnosis must be confirmed. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we perform several types of diagnostic testing in the comfort of our office to assist in caring for our patients. To further elaborate on the benefits this can provide our patients and their loved ones, our board-certified healthcare providers have taken time to answer a few questions about some of the types of diagnostic testing we offer.

Question #1: How Does In-Office Diagnostic Testing Benefit Patients?

Offering in-office diagnostic testing is often a major convenience for our patients. Doing so can save time (and additional costs) by eliminating the need for additional trips to a hospital or separate imaging center for something like an MRI or a CT scan. Additionally, this can help avoid potential complications associated with the patient’s health insurance.

Question #2: What Is The Difference Between An Echocardiogram & An Electrocardiogram (EKG)?

We use both echocardiograms and EKGs to detect and diagnose various forms of heart disease. However, the tests differ in what they specifically measure and capture. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound technology to depict pictures of the heart and provide information on the activity and function of the heart. An EKG traces the rhythm of a patient’s heartbeats to potentially detect underlying heart conditions like arrhythmias, heart defects, and coronary artery disease. Both tests can often be used in tandem to provide a more comprehensive picture of the patient’s heart health.

Question #3: Is It Safe To Undergo An X-Ray

While it’s true that x-ray technology exposes the patient to radiation, it is perfectly safe to undergo an x-ray to detect a potentially fractured bone. X-rays only use a low level of radiation and the risk of any cell damage is extremely low. Additionally, we fit our patients with protective materials including x-ray safe aprons to limit exposure to other areas of the body not being scanned.

Our providers have the experience and knowledge to optimize all diagnostic testing to the benefit of our patients. For more information on diagnostic testing or other health and wellness topics, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

May 21, 2021

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month No one enjoys a headache. Those feelings of pain and pressure can come on suddenly and out of nowhere, turning a nice day into a discomforting nightmare. And while headaches are just a minor inconvenience for some people, they can be seriously debilitating for those that experience chronic headaches or migraines. In honor of National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month this June, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to help prevent headaches and migraines.

While it may not be possible to completely solve the headache problem for some people, we have found that avoiding migraine triggers and practicing certain healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. And in our experience of treating patients who experience chronic headaches, any help is more than welcome.

Take note of your headache triggers. Certain foods, medications, physical activities, and lifestyle habits like when you go to bed can all play a part in causing a headache or migraine. The first step in avoiding these triggers is recognizing them.

Try to take medicine before the headache gets too bad. Like any other medical condition or illness, the headaches are more easily treated in their earliest stages. If you feel a headache or migraine coming on, we recommend using over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) to most patients (if appropriate) to try to stop their headache before it worsens. However, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any medicine regimen to make sure they can safely start a new medication.

Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Sleep is a critical tool in the fight against headaches and migraines. This may mean avoiding mid-day naps if you think they will affect your body’s ability to get to sleep come bedtime. Sticking to a consistent meal schedule is also highly recommended.

Try to minimize your stress. We know this is easier said than done, but stress is a major headache trigger. Practicing relaxation techniques meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help reduce levels of stress and fight off potential migraines.

Make sure to stay hydrated. In many cases, headaches are caused by dehydration. Many people reach the end of the day and realize that they haven’t drunk nearly enough water, but by then they have a raging headache and it is too late. Staying thoroughly hydrated throughout the day can help prevent this.

Give yourself a break from screen time. Too many hours a day looking at a phone, computer, or TV can also lead to potential headaches. Giving your eyes and head a break can be highly beneficial for many people.

While it’s true that there are more treatment options for headaches and migraines available than ever before, in our experience it is always easier to prevent a headache than it is to get rid of one. We hope our readers found these tips beneficial. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

April 29, 2021

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month!

High Blood Pressure Abraham Family Medicine

One of the most important things a person can do to aid their long-term health and wellbeing is to be aware of their blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, high blood pressure is a common condition that occurs when a person’s blood pressure reaches a level that is considered unhealthy. High blood pressure is very common among adults in the US. And while some may feel that having high blood pressure isn’t such a big deal, high blood pressure can lead to many very serious health problems over time if left untreated. That’s why in honor of National High Blood Pressure Education Month we wanted to provide some helpful information on the subject for our readers.

Blood pressure measures the amount of blood that passes through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping. The more blood that the heart pumps, the narrower the arteries get, and the higher the blood pressure is. A blood pressure reading has two numbers:

Systolic Pressure (top number) – measures the pressure in the arteries when the heartbeats.

Diastolic Pressure (bottom number) – measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

High blood pressure often develops slowly over the course of many years. In many cases, people with this condition do not experience any other symptoms. But high blood pressure can still damage the blood vessels and vital organs in asymptomatic people. While there may not be any specific, identifiable cause of high blood pressure, there are several risk factors that people should be aware of including advanced age, a family history of the condition, being overweight, a lack of physical activity, stress, abuse of tobacco, abuse of alcohol, and more.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease. Over time, high blood pressure can cause the arteries to harden and thicken, which can drastically increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other serious complications. Additionally, by making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood, high blood pressure can also lead to heart failure. Untreated high blood pressure may also affect a person’s memory and cognition as they age, and even cause dementia.

All this is to say is that high blood pressure is very serious and not something that can be ignored. This is why it’s so important to speak with your healthcare provider about your blood pressure during annual check-up appointments and make healthy lifestyle choices to promote wellness. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

December 29, 2020

Holiday Season Health Tips from Abraham Family Medicine

female-sneezing Everyone here at Abraham Family Medicine is excited that the holiday season is here once again. There is a lot to love about the holidays, however this is also the time of year when sickness is most common. Cold temperatures, festive gatherings, cold and flu germs in the air during the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional holiday stress can all do a number on a person’s immune system. This year more than ever, it’s important to make your health a priority. That’s why the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to reduce your risk of seasonal illness this holiday season.

Bundle Up

As temperatures continue to drop, it’s important to keep yourself warm. Wearing appropriate outdoor clothing is critical for staying healthy throughout the holidays. This includes layering and making sure to wear gloves, hats, scarves, and proper boots when necessary.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

In the wake of COVID-19, we know everyone has been sanitizing their hands like never before. But it’s important to keep that up throughout the holidays. Doing so can help prevent the spread of germs associated with the flu, the common cold, and other seasonal health issues. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm/hot water for 20 seconds.

Consider Year-End Health Screenings

There’s no such thing as a bad time for a check-up with your healthcare provider, but doing so around the holidays can be a great way to put a bow of health and wellness on your year. The annual check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to make sure your immunizations and health screenings are up to date heading into the new year.

Try to Eat Healthy

We know this is easier said than done with all the delicious holiday meals and tasty treats around. However, moderation can be very helpful. If you know there is an indulgent Christmas dinner coming up, try to make sure that your meals surrounding it are a bit healthier and richer in important nutrients. You can make healthy eating choices without depriving yourself.

The holidays should be a time of joy, festivity, and relaxation. Following these tips can help promote a healthy holiday season for you and the special people in your life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

November 30, 2020

Hear How We Improve the Health & Well-Being of Our Patients!

BAPC-logo Feedback is important in any field. But especially so for healthcare providers like our entire medical team here at Abraham Family Medicine. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide professional, first-class medical care that our patients and their loved ones deserve. So hearing back from our patients helps us know what we are doing all the right things and also what we can improve on to perfect our approach to patient care moving forward. With this in mind, we wanted to present some firsthand medical testimonials from our patients to illustrate the impact our care has had on their lives.

“The first time I went to see Dr. Abraham, he told me that I was on too much insulin because he didn’t believe that senior patients should be on a sliding scale when it came to taking insulin. He adjusted my medication and I started feeling better. I am not on any insulin at all now. I do take two pills hopefully if I keep sticking to my diet I will be off of those soon. Dr. Abraham has a great bedside manner and he takes his time with you. He listens to what you have to say. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Everyone made me feel that I mattered and that my care was important. I would recommend Abraham Family Medicine to any senior citizen who is looking for a great doctor.”

• JM

“Dr. Abraham is very thorough and always takes the time that he needs when I am there for an appointment. He communicates clearly and educates me on what I do not understand. I have been in the medical field for over 30 years. I know a good doctor when I see one. Every provider I have seen at this office has been professional, caring and above reproach.”

• TR

“Dr. Abraham has been my doctor for several years and has been instrumental in making sure my peripheral artery disease is kept under control. He always makes sure I completely understand any changes that are made in my medication and watches for any changes in my symptoms. He makes you feel like you are in a health partnership with him and makes you feel like you are his only patient.”

• JL

We wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to leave us such kind, thoughtful words. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our work is helping to positively impact on the lives of our patients. If you have had a similar experience with Abraham Family Medicine that you would like to share, you can leave us a review on Google, Healthgrades, or Vitals. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

July 28, 2020

The Advantages of Diagnostic Testing at Abraham Family Medicine

Before medical treatment can begin, a diagnosis must be made. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, our healthcare providers use many tools to help accurately diagnose a wide variety of issues and conditions that can affect our patient’s health and wellness. This includes offering in-office diagnostic testing to help improve patient care by identifying potential health issues as quickly as possible.

couple-view-x-ray Dr. Abraham and our entire medical staff utilize diagnostic testing to confirm the occurrence of a specific disease or medical condition based on a patient’s symptoms as well as results from other medical tests. Diagnostic testing is critical to how we operate during every step of our evaluation process including diagnosing, monitoring, screening, and prognosis. To help better understand how diagnostic testing at Abraham Family Medicine can assist our patients, continue reading for information on the diagnostic tests that we are able to perform.

Aorta Ultrasound

Also known as an aortascan, an aorta ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image the main blood vessel leading away from the heart known as the aorta. This test is used to help detect the presence of an aortic aneurysm.

Echocardiograms

Echocardiogram tests use images derived from sound waves to help us examine the beating and pumping of blood within the heart. These tests are used to identify abnormalities of the heart, including detecting heart defects in unborn children.

Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

EKGs are used to examine the patterns and heartbeats. Doing so allows us to detect and diagnose potential underlying heart conditions such as arrhythmias, heart defects, coronary artery disease, and heart attacks.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary function tests are administered to measure the ability of a person’s lungs to take in and circulate oxygen throughout the body. This kind of test may be used to diagnose certain lung diseases.

Retinal Scans

We utilize retinal scanning to help rule out diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes. If left undetected and untreated, this condition can lead to blindness.

Screening Mammograms

We perform screening mammograms to detect potential breast cancers in female patients. The test allows us to produce images of each breast from multiple angles to gain a clearer picture of a patient’s breast health.

Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to create images that depict the inside of a person’s body. Although they are most commonly used to monitor a pregnant woman’s fetus, ultrasound technology can also help diagnose various medical conditions such as gallbladder disease, certain types of cancer, and diseases of the prostate. This includes Carotid Ultrasounds that use sound waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries to detect a patient’s risk of experiencing a stroke. We also use this technology to perform abdominal and pelvic sonograms to detect abnormalities (including tumors) within internal organs like the liver, kidneys, and spleen.

Vascular Doppler Studies

Vascular Doppler Studies use similar technology as ultrasounds to monitor the flow of blood through blood vessels. This test can help diagnose conditions such as blood clots, faulty valves in leg veins, circulation issues, and other conditions that a traditional ultrasound may not be able to detect.

X-Rays

X-rays utilize electromagnetic waves to capture images of a person’s skeletal system. Our providers use x-rays most often to diagnose bone fractures, however, they can also assist us in diagnosing pneumonia or breast cancer.

When paired with the skill and knowledge that our experienced healthcare providers possess, diagnostic testing can be an integral in helping our patients achieve long-term health and wellness. For more information on diagnostic testing 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.

April 28, 2020

Taking a Statistical Look at Arthritis for Arthritis Awareness Month

With all of the worry about the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it seems as though there is only one thing that most people have been focusing on in regards to their health and wellness. Last month, we also offered some general tips regarding this very scary and contagious virus. This month, In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to present some statistics about the condition to help educate our patients about arthritis and what they should know.

Statistics are an invaluable resource to us in the field of medicine. Analyzing statistical reports can go a long way towards helping people understand the prevalence of certain medical conditions, as well as specific risk factors and other crucial pieces of information. All statistics presented were collected by the Arthritis Foundation.

General Arthritis Statistics

Arthritis currently affects more than one in every four adults in the US.
Although the condition is often associated with people of a more advanced age, nearly 1 in every 3 adults between the ages of 18 – 64 experience arthritis or similar symptoms.
There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis.
Experts estimate that the number of adults in the US with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to increase 49% to 78.4 million by 2040.

Osteoarthritis Statistics

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.
Nearly 31 million adults in the US currently experience osteoarthritis.
The condition leads to roughly 2 million fractures each year in the US.

Risk Factor Statistics

Adults over the age of 65 have a far greater prevalence of arthritis.
Arthritis is slightly more common in women than it is in men.
Nearly half (49%) of all adults with heart disease also experience arthritis.
The same figure is true for adults with diabetes.

Cost Statistics

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability among adults in the US.
Each year, an estimated 172 million work days are lost due to arthritis or similar conditions.
Arthritis is the most common chronic condition among opioid users in the US.

There are things we would recommend to people with arthritis to help ease or manage their symptoms. Certain low impact exercises including yoga, stretching, walking, or Tai Chi may be able to help. Eating a good diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and maintaining a healthy body weight can help as well. We also recommend trying to reduce stress, as excess stress can lead to inflammation and arthritis flare ups.

We understand how challenging and painful arthritis can be. That’s why our healthcare providers work hard with each patient we see to fully understand their condition and symptoms in order to develop the most helpful treatment program for their needs. For more information on arthritis or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

December 29, 2011

Study Highlights the Importance of Diverse Prenatal Nutrition

A recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine issued the conclusion that a healthier diet before and during pregnancy correlates to a lower risk of birth defects in infants. While the emphasis is often on folic acid as a staple for prenatal women during the first trimester to prevent birth defects, the researchers concluded that many people forget that adequate nutrition is more than getting particular foods, it’s getting the right combinations of foods.

The study was conducted by Stanford University researchers to determine if a mother’s diet had any effect on two particular birth defects: orofacial clefts and neural tube defects. They collected diet information from women in ten states with due dates between October 1997 to December 2005. Their conclusion was that a healthy, well-rounded diet could reduce the instances of birth defects in infants. While vitamins like folic acid are still very important, other researchers who have viewed the report conclude that the study’s findings prove that no matter your age, sex, or condition in life—pregnant or not—a healthy diet is crucial to you and your children’s well-being.

The providers at Abraham Medical Cosmetics understand the importance of overall well-being including a healthy diet. We also know that decoding the mixed messages of food marketing, choosing the healthy options, and knowing what’s good is often harder than it looks. Our expertly trained providers can help you formulate an eating plan for you and your family that works with your lifestyle and medical needs. No matter your current lifestyle we can work with you to ensure you and your family members are receiving adequate nutrition to help ensure health for life.

For more information on the services provided at Abraham Medical Cosmetics, contact us at our office in Snellville, GA (outside of Atlanta). You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and events.