General Information

Stats to Know for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

purple-Alzheimer's-ribbonWhile 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.

What To Know About Aging In Place

BAPC-logoAs 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.

September Is National Cholesterol Education Month!

doctor-visitThere 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.

Helpful Statistics About Kidney Disease in the US

picture-of-kidneysThis 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.

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 30th, 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 SpecialsAMCApril

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 30th, 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!

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

Save the date for Saturday, August 22nd, 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.

127-Legacy-Foundation-NightEach 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!

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.

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.

 

Did You Know We’re on Facebook and Twitter?

If you visit our website often, you may have noticed the boxes in the top left corner that connect you to our Facebook and Twitter accounts. While you may think it’s little odd to “Like” Abraham Medical Cosmetics on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, it’s actually a great way to keep yourself privy to the latest information, specials, and announcements from our practice.

We try to keep all our current and prospective patients up-to-date on the latest medical and cosmetic news through our social media sites. You can get updates on our events as well, like Wrinkle Free Wednesday. So make sure to connect with us on social media to stay informed with what’s new at Abraham Medical Cosmetics.

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