Family Medicine

December 9, 2011

Study Shows Winter Months are Tougher on Arthritis Patients

As the cooler months set in and the number of daylight hours decrease, it is often harder for most of us to find a reason to exercise outdoors. While we may be able to go to a gym and get our exercise fix, older adults, especially those with the chronic medical condition arthritis, often have difficulty getting the necessary exercise to improve their health.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health researchers tracked over 240 participants’ daily activities over a period of three years. Each participant wore an accelerometer while they were awake in all different types of weather. Participants each had a diagnosed case of either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

The study’s finding suggest that older adults with arthritis often do not get the amount of weekly exercise recommended by orthopedic specialists (about 150 minutes a week or 20 minutes a day) when the weather reaches temperatures too low or too high for comfort. The dwindling daylight hours also had a negative effect on arthritis sufferers’ daily activity levels, increasing the amount of time they spent sedentary.

While it’s easy to get outside for a brisk walk in warmer months, it’s important that arthritis sufferers maintain an exercise schedule in the colder winter months as well. Exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, increases flexibility and endurance, and builds muscle around the joints to protect them.

Dr. Ben Abraham specializes in osteopathic and geriatric medicine. Meeting the healing needs of older adults, Abraham Medical’s team of experienced providers work to ensure patients receive the utmost in care to allow patients to enjoy their retirement years and optimize long-term health. Whether you’re looking for indoor exercise ideas for the winter months or nutrition advice for aging, Abraham Medical strives to provide you with the tools you need to live a comfortable and productive life.

For more information on Abraham Medical’s geriatric services, family medicine, or cosmetic services, contact us. You can also stay up to date on the latest news by following us on Twitter.

August 19, 2011

What is prescription contraindication and ADR?

Many medications can have adverse effects on elderly patients. While these drugs are relatively predictable in younger populations, those 65 and older can experience different or more intense reactions and side effects. Another contributing factor to adverse drug reactions (ADR) is the number of different medications that are often prescribed in combination to the elderly.

While some drugs produce adverse drug effects on their own, some medications produce contraindication when taken with other drugs. Contraindication is a health factor that renders a specific treatment, medication, or procedure inadvisable. While contraindication on its own sounds fairly basic—people with allergic reactions to certain drugs shouldn’t take those drugs and people with certain medical conditions can’t have certain treatments that put them at risk—not many people are aware that contraindication often occurs unnoticed in the elderly until irreparable harm has been done.

Elderly individuals make up about 12% of the nation’s population, and yet they consume 32% of medications prescribed in America (National Center for Biotechnology Information). Doctors often prescribe many drugs to individuals over 65 in order to treat the ailments that come with growing older as well as any preexisting conditions. However, doctors can sometimes prescribe overlapping medications that perform the same tasks, medications that interact with each other, or medications not suited for those over 65 without knowing it. This can even be the case when individuals take over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements.

August 9, 2011

Presidential Hopeful’s Medical Condition Sheds Light on Migraine Prevention and Treatment

Recent news reports about politician Michele Bachmann’s migraines have brought an often forgotten health issue to the forefront of many American’s minds (no pun intended). However, with nearly 30 million Americans suffering from migraines, it’s a more common condition than many believe. While each individual’s personal struggle with this type of headache differs, migraines can often be a debilitating and very painful acute medical condition for those who experience them.

Migraines are often a misunderstood condition. People sometimes believe that migraine sufferers are exaggerating their symptoms because they are believed to be similar to regular headaches. Much more painful than normal headaches,

June 20, 2011

Shedding Light on Photo Damage: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Damage Prevention & Treatment

Sun damage is an infamous factor in the development of skin cancer and aging. Consistent with its notoriety, photo damage is a major influence in the development of aging symptoms like wrinkles, brown spots, and even lax skin. Abraham Medical’s board certified family medicine doctors and trained aesthetic technicians are here to answer your questions about sun damage prevention and treatment:

Do I still need to wear sunscreen if my skin tone is dark?

Individuals with dark skin tones have more melanin in their skin than those with fairer complexions. Even though people with darker skin are less likely to develop sunburn as quickly, they are still susceptible to photo damage with unprotected UV exposure. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone regularly apply a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30 if planning to be outdoors.

What makes all of the sunscreen brands different?

There are a host of marketing variables amongst all of the sunscreen brands out there, but if your skin does not require a specialty product because of a skin condition, it’s best to look at what type of protection the product offers. Chemical sunscreens (like most sun protection products sold in drug stores) are formulated to attach with the skin’s surface and protect against UVB rays while other products that contain larger particles (like zinc or titanium oxide) provide a physical shield against more UVA rays. It’s best to use a product that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, typically labeled “broad spectrum” sunscreen.

I have acne prone skin; won’t sunscreen clog my pores and make me break out?

Abraham Medical Cosmetics offers three Obagi ®sunscreens (RosaClear, Obagi-C®, and Physical UV Block) specially formulated for sensitive skin types such as yours. While all of these products effectively prevent sun damage, it’s beneficial to have a skin analysis to determine which product will perform best for you.

Is there anything that I can do to erase the sun damage I already have?

We offer treatments like Photofacial IPL and chemical peels that can help erase the areas of dark hyperpigmentation and tighten the lax skin that can result from sun exposure; however, it’s important to remember that sun damage is cumulative and the damaging internal effects sun exposure can have on skin cell replication should be prevented with regular sunscreen usage.

To learn more about Abraham Medical Cosmetics’ facial rejuvenation treatments, preventative medicine, or to schedule a consultation, contact our Snellville office or visit our website.

May 23, 2011

Importance of Eating Well with Fat Reduction Treatments

Although I offer a variety of cosmetic services, I am first and foremost a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and maintain my patients’ overall health as my top priority. However, I also understand that “looking good” is a large part of “feeling good.” While my staff and I stress that a healthy lifestyle should never be forfeited for beauty, we hope to help patients achieve both by educating them on nutrition and healthy living as well as providing cosmetic treatments at Abraham Medical Cosmetics.

Our fat and cellulite reduction treatments are some of our most popular cosmetic services because they are non-invasive. While no substitute for diet and exercise, these fat and cellulite reduction methods help patients who, for whatever reason (i.e.- pregnancy, genetics, hormonal imbalances, etc.), cannot get rid of excess fat and cellulite with diet and exercise alone. Besides giving my patients nutrition tips,