General Information

July 3, 2025

3 Summer Season Health Tips from Abraham Family Medicine

mother-daughter-playing-at-the-beach The summer season is officially in full swing. While this time of year is very special to so many of us, it can also pose some potential health issues for those who are not informed and prepared. During the summer, the sun is at its strongest and temperatures are at their highest. These conditions, combined with more time spent outdoors at cookouts, pools, beaches, etc. can leave people vulnerable to many potentially serious health concerns. Which is why the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide our readers with the following summertime health tips to help everyone enjoy a happy and healthy summer season.

Tip #1: Hydration is The Name of The Game

We know you’ve heard this one before, but it always bears repeating. Keeping yourself hydrated is extremely important any time of year, but especially during the summer. Making sure you have enough fluids in your system is essential for feeling right and making sure your body can perform all of its normal functions as it needs to. Staying hydrated (even if you are not thirsty) during the summer begins with drinking plenty of water, especially before and during any extended periods spent outdoors. We recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of water throughout the course of a day, though this can vary from person to person. If you are excessively sweating then you may want to increase this amount.

Tip #2: Be Mindful of the Heat

According to the CDC, heat alone is responsible for over 600 deaths in the US each year. While it’s very common to warn people about skin cancer, sunburns, and other effects of getting too much sun, heat-related illnesses cannot be ignored. Protecting yourself from common issues like heat stroke and heat exhaustion is important for people of all ages, but especially so for children and adults over 65. In addition to staying hydrated, we strongly recommend spending time in air-conditioning during the hottest parts of the day or find a shaded area, wearing cool clothing, and paying attention to heat advisories.

Tip #3: Don’t Forget About Your Eyes

Eye health can be easy to take for granted, but that doesn’t mean it should be. The sun’s UV rays can cause temporary eye damage and also increase a person’s risk of chronic eye diseases. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses during time spent outdoors is always highly recommended. Specifically ones that offer 100% UV Protection with polarized lenses.

Tip #4: Keep Up With Food Safety

Foodborne illness is another thing to keep in mind during the summer, especially when eating or preparing food outdoors during cookouts, picnics, and camping trips. We recommend the following precautions to avoid these issues and keep you and your family safe:

Always pack your food in a cooler or insulated bag with plenty of ice
Always wash your hands before preparing food, after handling raw meat, and before eating
Make sure cutlery, cooking tools, and utensils are washed properly with soap and hot water between all uses
Always cook meats to their correct temperature
Take time to clean off grill grates properly before using

Our hope is that this advice can help people take the precautions they need to safely enjoy the summer season. For more information, health tips, or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

February 20, 2025

4 Simple Tips for National Nutrition Month

apple-and-flexable-measuring-tape When 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.

October 26, 2023

Stats to Know for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

purple-Alzheimer's-ribbon While it is commonly associated with people later in life, there is profound benefit for people of all ages to understand and identify the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, can develop as a result of many factors including age, genetics, environment, and current mental and physical health. For many people, seeing basic statistics about a condition like Alzheimer’s can help paint a clearer picture of how common it is and why it’s so important to be aware of risk factors. That’s why our healthcare providers wanted to share the following statistics on Alzheimer’s Disease recently collected by The Alzheimer’s Association:

About 6.7 million Americans age 65 or older are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60% – 80% of all dementia cases reported in the US.
There is a strong link between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s. Roughly one-third of people who experience MCI develop dementia due to Alzheimer’s within five years.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, as the percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia increases significantly with age. 5% of people aged 65 to 74, 13% of people aged 75 to 84, and 33% of people aged 85 or older will experience Alzheimer’s disease.
Just over 5% of people with Alzheimer’s disease start developing symptoms before the age of 65.

It can be difficult to fully prevent Alzheimer’s disease, as many of the most common risk factors are out of the person’s control. However, there are certain things that a person can do to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This includes exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and other nicotine products, not drinking alcohol in excess, keeping your brain active with puzzles and other forms of stimulation as you age, and maintaining an active social life.

Generally speaking, maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle can be extremely helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In addition to understanding your risk, it’s important to keep up with your annual wellness visits with a board-certified healthcare provider. For more information on Alzheimer’s 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.

October 31, 2022

What To Know About Aging In Place

BAPC-logo As purveyors of geriatric medicine services, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine are passionate about doing what is best for our advanced age patients. One such consideration for families to keep in mind is the best living arrangement for their loved ones. It’s only natural for people to feel the need to keep their loved ones closer as they age, and for people to not want to leave their homes of many years to depart to a senior living facility. “Aging in place” is a practice where a senior chooses to remain at home instead of moving into an assisted living or nursing facility. To help better understand the pros and cons of aging in place, we wanted to present some information that everyone should be aware of.

When considering aging in place as a solution, three very important factors need to be considered. The individual person, the specifics of the home, and the available loved ones and other potential sources of support. When all these factors indicate that someone might be a good fit for an aging in place arrangement, it can be the easiest and most comfortable situation for everyone involved. However, this is not the case for everyone.

While the desire to remain at home may be there in some cases, aging in place may simply not be feasible or practical for a number of reasons. For instance, larger homes that demand more maintenance and physical exertion to get around in may not be suitable for aging in place. Certain physical limitations like loss of vision or hearing, decreased mobility, and bone fragility must be considered so that they are in a safe environment. Aging in place may be difficult for seniors who do not have loved ones or caretakers who live nearby. In some cases, hiring a professional caretaker can help, but not every family can afford this and some seniors may not be comfortable with an unfamiliar stranger in their home.

For those that think that aging in place may be right for their loved one, we recommend ensuring the following home adjustments for aging in place have been made:

Stairlifts (and ramps where applicable) to avoid potentially hazardous trips up and down the stairs
Handrails and/or grab bars positioned in hallways and bathrooms to protect against falls
Walk-in tubs or showers to avoid unnecessarily stepping over a high bathtub
Safety shower mats to prevent potential slipping in the bathroom
Ample lighting, including conveniently placed light switches, night lights, and motion detected lighting that comes on when a person enters a room
Easily accessible shelving in closets and pantry
A wearable security monitor, life Life Alert, to help alert the proper authorities in case of an emergency.

While we understand that these are never easy decisions, gaining a better understanding of the available options for elder care can only help our readers. We know that people just want the best for their loved ones and we feel that aging in place can sometimes be the most comfortable and beneficial option. For more information 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.

August 30, 2022

September Is National Cholesterol Education Month!

doctor-visit There are many measures and figures that can help us as healthcare providers gain a better understanding of a patient’s overall health. Cholesterol is one such figure. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. While cholesterol is needed for the body to build healthy cells, high levels of cholesterol can lead to the development of fatty deposits in the blood vessels that make it more challenging for blood to flow through the arteries as it should. This can increase the risk of serious health concerns like heart disease, stroke, and more. To help our readers better understand high cholesterol, we wanted to discuss its effects and how it can be effectively prevented.

We wanted to begin with some basic statistics about the prevalence of high cholesterol. Roughly 12% of adults age 20 and older had total cholesterol levels higher than recommended by doctors. Additionally, about 17% have lower high-density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol) levels than they should. One of the major issues with high cholesterol is that it is not associated with any known symptoms. This is part of why it is estimated that nearly half of adults in the US who could benefit from cholesterol medicine are not taking any. High cholesterol can also affect children, as 7% of kids and adolescents between 6 to 19 have high total cholesterol

Some high cholesterol risk factors to be aware of include:

A family history of high cholesterol
Eating an unhealthy diet, high in saturated fats or trans fats
Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is strongly correlated with high cholesterol
A sedentary lifestyle lacking in physical exercise
Abuse of tobacco products and alcohol
Advanced age, as high cholesterol is far more common for people over the age of 40

While cholesterol issues may be genetic in some cases, there are lifestyle adjustments that can be made to help many people prevent high cholesterol. We recommend the following:

Since high cholesterol has no symptoms, annual testing of cholesterol levels is essential.
Eat a diet that prioritizes foods that are low in salt and is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Try to get at least 30 minutes of even moderate exercise every day
Practice healthy breathing exercises and stress management techniques regularly
Quit smoking and enjoy alcohol in moderation (if at all)

Cholesterol might not be the first thing that many people consider when thinking about how to improve their health, but there is no disputing how important a person’s cholesterol levels are to their overall wellbeing. For more information 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.

February 26, 2021

Helpful Statistics About Kidney Disease in the US

picture-of-kidneys This March is National Kidney Month here in the US so we thought now would be a great time to discuss the importance of kidney health. The kidneys are a vital organ and healthy, functioning kidneys are absolutely essential for maintaining overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, kidney disease is very common for adults in the US, especially those with certain risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, advanced age, or a family history of kidney issues. This is why awareness is so important. In order to help our patients understand the importance of taking a proactive approach to kidney health this March and beyond, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some informative statistics about kidney disease courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation.

15% of adults in the US (about 37 million people) are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition where the kidneys become damaged over time and cannot effectively clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys should.
Over 2 million people worldwide currently receive treatment with dialysis, though the overwhelming majority of this 2 million live in the US, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Italy.
In the US, treatment of CKD costs nearly $48 billion each year.
Nearly 90% of adults with CKD are not aware of their condition.
People aged 65 years or older account for 38% of CKD cases in the US, significantly higher than any other age group.
CKD is slightly more prevalent in women (15%) than in men (12%).
As of 2016, about 125,000 people in the US start treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) annually.
More than 726,000 Americans are currently on dialysis or are living with a kidney transplant.
About 38% of ESKD cases in the US are caused by diabetes and about 26% are caused by high blood pressure.
The rate of new cases of ESKD is the lowest since 1998.

The most important steps we recommend taking for anyone serious about promoting good kidney health is taking good care of your body, making healthy choices, and discussing kidney health with your healthcare provider during annual wellness visits. 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, not far from Grayson, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, and Loganville.

April 14, 2016

You’re Invited – April Events & Skincare Specials with Abraham Medical Cosmetics

The first full month of spring has finally graced us with its presence and the Abraham Medical Cosmetics team could not be more excited about the happenings going on this month. In addition to our newly featured skincare specials, we are hosting a very special 127 Legacy Foundation event that’s sure to be an enjoyable evening for all! Without further ado – here are our April events and skincare specials details:

127 Legacy Foundation Dinner & Silent Auction

When: Saturday, April 30^th, 2016 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Snellville
Tickets: $25/person (may be purchased in our office or at www.127legacy.org)

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Ben Abraham, the 127 Legacy Foundation currently sponsors two orphanages on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Timor and regularly takes teams of volunteers to continue mission work and community outreach with local residents. This June, our team will be returning to help the Baptist Hospital in Batu to build a community medical center that will potentially serve over 300,000 people in the region.

Our dinner and silent auction event will take place in the family life center and is catered by Texas Roadhouse (with specialty coffee by Phoenix Roasters). We have a wide variety of items up for bid including lakeside and beachfront vacation stays, local tickets to Atlanta restaurants, attractions, and sporting events, and even gifts for graduates and college-bound students. This fun-filled night of exciting bidding will also have entertainment from our special guest, comedian Jody Fuller! With all proceeds from our 127 Legacy Foundation fundraising events going to support our efforts in Indonesia, we would be honored to have you join us for this wonderful evening of fellowship, good food, and fun. To RSVP, call Lisa Brooks at 770-978-1331 or head to the 127 Legacy Foundation website for details.

Abraham Medical Cosmetics Specials

With summer right around the corner, now’s the time to get bathing suit ready and treat your skin to a bit of TLC before schedules get hectic. Here’s what we’re featuring this month to help:

Say goodbye to razor burn, ingrowns, and unwanted hairs by tossing the razors and saving time AND money with laser hair removal treatments. We currently house three different technology systems to help eliminate hair for men and women of all skin tones. Our lasers are safe and effective, so you not only get permanent results, but we’re able to customize each laser hair removal treatment specifically to meet your needs and desired results. Many patients are happy with their results after four to six treatments – even if you’re not sure how many treatments you’ll need, we will cover all of this when we meet and discuss the areas of the body you want to treat and what will work best for your skin type.
Botox® and Xeomin® remain some of the most popular options within the largely growing community of nonsurgical anti-aging treatments. Instead of filling wrinkles and sunken areas on the face (like facial fillers Radiesse®), Botox® and Xeomin® relax the muscles that cause wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Results are temporary but can last four to six months in most cases; treatments can also be safely repeated as often as needed for those patients who want to keep their results maintained longer.

We have additional specials on Radiesse® facial fillers and chemical peels, so check out our flyer for details. Our specials expire April 30^th, 2016 – while supplies last and some exclusions may apply. Give Susan or Lisa a call at 770-978-1161 to schedule your next appointment or to learn more about our skincare specials and the upcoming 127 Legacy Foundation event. Have a fantastic month and we hope to see you all very soon!

August 18, 2015

You’re Invited: 127 Legacy Foundation Night with the Gwinnett Braves!

Save the date for Saturday, August 22^nd, 2015 at 7pm because you’re invited to join us for the “127 Legacy Foundation Night” as the Gwinnett Braves take on the Louisville Bats! For those of you who may not be familiar with the 127 Legacy Foundation, it is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that was founded by Dr. Ben Abraham to raise awareness and support orphanages and children’s homes across Indonesia. Dr. Abraham and the 127 Legacy Foundation team are committed to helping indigenous ministries find and place needy children in loving orphanages and children’s homes so they might be loved, cared for, and given hope for new life in the love of God.

Each year the 127 Legacy Foundation leads a team to Indonesia and assists with the needs of our partnering community, by providing much needed resources like construction, repair, expansion, medical/dental services, children’s activities and essential collection of items that the children need, to improve their quality of living (clothing, school supplies, recreational equipment, etc.). Our mission is to partner with and assist orphanages and children’s homes in Indonesia as they reach and restore the lives of vulnerable children from a potential life of hopelessness, despair, poverty, neglect and abuse. By doing so, we desire to affect life-long positive change in the life of each child, and to help equip them to become positive influencers for change in their own culture and the world.

With the help of benevolent donations, resources and an amazing team of partners, the 127 Legacy Foundation currently sponsors an orphanage on Sumatra, Hope of Nations Children’s Home, and the Rebana House of Joy in Kupang, West Timor. As the 127 Legacy Foundation grows, we plan to continue to support, build, expand, and/or multiply children’s homes and orphanages across Indonesia that will house, clothe, feed, educate and care for homeless, displaced, poor, and/or parentless children by partnering with churches, organizations, companies, groups and individuals to help us provide necessities for the homes, the children and the staff who care for them.

We are excited to host the 127 Legacy Foundation Night and hope to be able to enjoy an evening of fellowship and baseball with many of you in our own community! Tickets for the “127 Legacy Foundation Night” are $12 for field box seats and $3 proceeds will be donated in honor of the 127 Legacy Foundation. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to support a local organization and children in need – to purchase your tickets for our cause, contact Lisa Brooks at 770-978-1331 or 770-978-1161. You can learn more about our 127 Legacy Foundation and how to help support the children by heading to www.127legacy.org or emailing us at info@127legacy.org!

January 3, 2012

Zerona Fat Reduction Helps Atlanta Mom Lose 42 Pounds

When I walked into Abraham Medical Cosmetics in Snellville, GA (outside of Atlanta) in April of 2011, I was feeling defeated. I was sick, my husband was sick, and my toddler was sick. But beyond the sinus infections that wouldn’t go away, I was just worn out. I had no energy, no drive, no stamina and very little joy. I weighed 181 pounds, and I hated my body. Every time I tried to exercise I was completely discouraged by the bouncing of all those extra pounds. The most active date my husband and I had gone on in years was to play putt-putt. Whenever my toddler asked me to play the answer was almost always “sorry honey, Mama is sick right now.”

Dr. Ben Abraham’s medical staff saw my family, prescribed medications, and we were about to go on our way, when I saw an ad for Zerona®. I had seen it a few times before and just figured it wasn’t for me. But this time, for some reason, I asked about it. The response was immediate. Three different nurses at Dr. Abraham’s office had done the treatment and were willing to tell me how wonderful it was. Their stories impacted me much more than a testimonial would from some random person.

Susan was very straight with me, stating that Zerona® wasn’t a magic wand. However, she said if I did my part and stuck to the exercise and nutrition protocol, the treatment would help me a lot. Understanding the importance of eating well with fat reduction treatments, she said it would give me a kick start to a better shape, and then, I could do the rest.

And do you know what? She was right.

I am writing this in December of 2011 after having lost 42 pounds. I did quite a bit of work to get here. I changed some long standing eating habits that were doing a lot of damage to my system, added moderate exercise to my regular routine, and learned how to say no to foods that I just didn’t need. The best part is that in the mean time I found a fun, active hobby and a reward all wrapped up into one: ice skating.

In my mind, the key to making a long standing change in your life is to make it fun. Find a way to reward yourself that contributes to your continued well-being. Skating 5 hours a week IS a work out, but it is NOT work. It is what I do for fun! And I’ve dragged my whole family into this new, healthy lifestyle with me. My husband and I have a regular date night where we skate together. In fact, my husband has lost 35 pounds and counting, just by following the same protocol as me!

From April to August—in just under 6 months we went from putt-putt to ice-skating. I’ve gotten my life back, breathed new life into my family, and learned how to play again! Zerona® is what helped me get started. Thank you to Susan and Stephanie and all the providers at Abraham Medical Cosmetics.

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.