General Information

September 12, 2011

Study Reveals Increased Importance of Drug Interaction Analysis in Senior Care

Growing older is never a simple journey. While retirement offers many opportunities for excitement and relaxation, some aspects of aging can be unfamiliar and a little intimidating. Senior medical care can be one of those daunting elements. With new drugs on the market every day, it can be difficult to know the effects that each new medicine has on your body and whether those drugs interact negatively with each other.

For instance, a recent study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society concluded that a certain class of drugs that encourage anticholinergic activity, or restriction of smooth muscle movement, can have negative effects on individuals age 65 or older. Anticholinergic medications include both prescription and over-the-counter medications used for everything from Parkinson’s disease to asthma and COPD.

Patient reactions can include the normal side effects like dry mouth and lethargy. However, the new study indicates that this class of medications can also lead to cognitive decline in older adults. While these findings aren’t currently linked to the onset of dementia, the results of the study suggest clinicians should be careful in prescribing multiple medications with anticholinergic effects to elderly patients.

Fortunately, one of the many services offered by the Abraham Medical team for geriatric patients includes potential drugs’ adverse effects. The analysis includes examination of your senior care plan including the current medications and treatments you are receiving and how to manage your healthcare needs. Dr. Ben Abraham and his staff of caring providers ensure the combination of drugs you may be taking do not interfere with each other or with your overall wellbeing. By viewing your medical history, the doctors at Abraham Medical can identify gaps in your current care plan and make certain they are remedied.

Dr. Ben Abraham’s background in osteopathic medicine allows him to provide premier patient care by fusing the best of both medical and alternative therapies to maximize your results. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the mind-body connection and recognizes the body’s ability to heal itself. Paired with the best advances in modern medicine, Dr. Abraham’s approach covers all the bases in your healthcare plan.

Other geriatric services offered include arthritis and osteoarthritis treatments and pain management analysis. Dr. Abraham and his staff of providers work though all aspects of your life (i.e. diet, exercise, mental healthcare, and medical therapies) to improve your overall wellbeing.

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,

July 12, 2011

Abraham Medical Welcomes New Physician Assistant

Neil Bronaugh, PA-C joins the Abraham Medical team from Tucker, Georgia. Bronaugh received his license as a physician assistant from the University of Kentucky. Following his education, Neil went on to assist the doctors of Nicholasville Medical Center in Kentucky for several years. He also holds NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) Certification and is an active member of AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) and GAPA (Georgia Association of Physician Assistants).

He brings a thorough understanding of patient care and diagnostic testing to assist Abraham Medical’s primary care patients in communicating with their physician in formulating an optimal plan of care. Bronaugh plans to contribute his expertise in aiding the Abraham Medical providers with primary care services such as: comprehensive physical exams, preventive medical screenings, and radiofrequency surgery.

To learn more about the physicians and providers at Abraham Medical, visit our website and continue to read our blog.

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,

May 2, 2011

Welcome to Abraham Medical Cosmetics’ Blog!

We are so excited to present Dr. B Abraham, P.C.’s blog. We hope this will become a regular outlet for you to learn about the Snellville primary care, geriatric medicine, and cosmetic skin treatments we offer. Please take a moment to explore our new website, cosmetic services menu and our family medicine services. If there is something you would like to know more information about connect with us on Twitter. We’re looking forward to helping you reveal your true beauty!