Wellness

What Are The Most Common Kidney Health Concerns?

Kidney-DiagramKidney health is an extremely important aspect of overall health and wellness. Among our most vital organs, the kidneys are responsible for many things that keep our bodies healthy and functioning as they should, like regulating fluid levels and filtering toxins out of the bloodstream. In honor of the upcoming National Kidney Month, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the most common kidney health issues and the effects that they can have on a person’s health.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that currently affects over 37 million adults in the US. People with CKD experience damage to their kidneys over time that prevents them from effectively cleaning and filtering the blood the way that healthy kidneys should. In its advanced stages, the condition can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes to build up in the body, increasing the risk of serious infection and potentially fatal kidney failure without proper treatment. In order to effectively treat chronic kidney disease, we must first determine if it is being caused by another underlying condition, like diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones do not pose the same long-term health risk as Chronic Kidney Disease, but they are certainly nothing to take lightly. These hard deposits of minerals or salts can form inside the kidneys, as well as inside the ureter (the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys) or bladder. They can result from many things including an excess of mineral salts (including calcium) in the body. While they don’t always come with symptoms, kidney stones are often associated with intense pain, pressure in the kidney and bladder areas, nausea, and urination issues. Some stones may pass through the urine naturally, others may require minor surgical intervention.

Kidney Infections

Kidney infections (also known as pyelonephritis) is a unique type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that can affect the kidneys. These infections occur when an existing infection of the urethra or the bladder spreads upwards into the kidneys. Kidney infections can come with a multitude of symptoms including fever, chills, severe nausea, discomfort in the flanks, back, abdomen, or groin, and various urinary issues. In most cases, antibiotics are used as a treatment method for kidney infections.

When working to actively promote good kidney health, it’s essential to make healthy choices and keep up with annual appointments including screenings for kidney issues when appropriate. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month at Abraham Family Medicine

patient-consults-doctorLung cancer is a prevalent and incredibly serious health condition for adults in the US to monitor. While it is commonly associated with smoking, you don’t have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer. Lung cancer risk is higher than many people realize. We say this not to scare our readers, but to reinforce the importance of awareness and living a lung-healthy lifestyle. So in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, our healthcare providers wanted to present some helpful lung cancer statistics provided by the American Cancer Society.

  • Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer for both men and women in the US (not including skin cancer).
  • This year alone, about 238,340 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the US and roughly 127,070 Americans will die of lung cancer.
  • Making up about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths in the US, lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death for Americans.
  • The average age a person is diagnosed is about 70, meaning geriatric patients are far more at risk.
  • The 5-year survival rate for people with localized lung cancers (cases where the cancer has not spread) is currently 65%.

Lung cancer can’t be “prevented”, but there are certainly things that you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition. First and foremost, never smoke cigarettes (including e-cigarettes or vaping). If you do smoke, quit immediately or ask for assistance from a medical professional to help you quit. There are medications and other methods that may be able to help. Maintaining a smoke-free environment at home and in the office while avoiding secondhand smoke can be incredibly helpful. Annual screening for lung cancer is highly recommended for anyone with a history of smoking, people between the ages of 55-80, and people who have a family history of lung cancer. We also recommend getting your home tested for radon.

Respiratory health is a critical part of long-term wellness, and we hope that everyone reading this will take this warning to heart. 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.

What to Know for Summer Sun Safety Month This August!

mother-and-child-on-beachThe summer season is in full swing and we hope everyone is making the most of their time in the sun this year. The combination of spending more time outdoors and the longer, hotter summer weather means now is the time to take sun protection most seriously. August is Summer Sun Safety Month in the US, which is why the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine thought it would be a great opportunity to explain what our readers can do to enjoy the rest of the summer as safely as possible.

Be Aware of the Time of Day

There’s never a bad time to consider sun protection during the summer, but some times of day are more important to take note of than others. The middle of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm, is when the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest. Additionally, while they may provide some temporary relief, remember that clouds offer little actual protection from UV rays and you can still experience sun damage on a cloudy day.

Apply Sunscreen Every Day

Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) every day during the summer is the single most helpful thing that you can do to protect yourself during the summer and to help prevent skin cancer. Apply sunscreen generously, and make sure to reapply every two hours, or even more frequently in situations where you are swimming or sweating. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin, but don’t forget other spots that are less commonly thought of including your lips, your ears, your feet (if wearing sandals), areas of exposed scalp and the backs of your hands. Also, make sure the sunscreen you’re using has not expired if using a bottle or can that was held over from last summer.

Remember Protective Clothing & Sunglasses

Wearing sunscreens is obviously essential, but there is more that you can do to protect your skin this summer. Sun-protective clothing that covers your arms and legs, as well as a broad-brimmed hat, can also be incredibly beneficial. It’s important to remember that UV rays can also affect your eyes, leading to pain, discomfort, and even long-term vision damage. Many people don’t realize that it’s possible for your eyes to experience a sunburn as well. When shopping for sunglasses, look for a pair with lenses that block both types of UV radiation — UVA and UVB rays.

Regardless of how much precaution you take this summer, regular skin exams to detect any potential skin cancers are still very highly recommended. Like any other form of cancer, the earlier that skin cancer is detected and diagnosed, the easier that it will be to treat effectively. For more information on skin health 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.

4 Tips To Help Anyone Improve Their Sleep

couple-sleeping-in-bedMay is Better Sleep Month, so the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought that now would be a perfect time to discuss the critical importance of nightly sleep. Sleep is something that is easy to take for granted, but it shouldn’t be. Getting a good night’s sleep is as important to our health as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Regular poor sleep can lead to serious long and short-term mental and physical health issues like weight gain, depression, and increased risk of many diseases. Conversely, sleeping well can be a major boost to anyone’s overall health and wellness.

Our experts thought it would be helpful to provide the following tips to help people improve their sleep habits:

Tip #1: Set a Regular Sleep Schedule & Stick To It

We highly recommend establishing and maintaining a nightly sleep schedule. That means going to bed and waking up at around the same time every day, including weekends. This consistency will help reinforce your body’s sleep-wake cycle and make getting to sleep (and waking up) easier.

Tip #2: Avoid Caffeine After a Certain Point in the Day

We know that waking up with coffee is a vital part of the day for many people. And while we’re not saying to swear off caffeine entirely, it’s a fact that consuming caffeine later in the day can stimulate the nervous system and stop the body from naturally relaxing at night. Caffeine can stay elevated in a person’s blood for 6 hours (or more), which is why it’s important to cut off caffeine intake long before bedtime. Drinking decaf coffee or other non-caffeinated alternatives in the afternoon or evening can be helpful.

Tip #3: Create an Ideal Sleep Environment

There’s more to actually getting to sleep than simply crawling into bed and resting your head on a pillow. Make an effort to create a sleep-friendly environment for yourself. This means keeping the bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. Exposure to light (including light from television and phone screens) can make it very difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, calming activities like reading, breathing exercises, or taking a bath may also help promote better sleep.

Tip #4: Try To Avoid Napping

We know this one won’t be popular, but it’s true that sleeping during the day can negatively affect your ability to sleep at night. Especially in the case of long or irregular naps. Sleeping during the day can confuse the body’s internal clock, leading to difficulty with properly resting when it’s time to go to bed. While there may be some exceptions, particularly for people who primarily work at night, napping should be avoided if possible.

Having the occasional sleepless night is normal and nothing to be alarmed about. But if you’re having consistent trouble getting to sleep, our hope is that these tips will be able to relieve these issues. For more information on healthy sleep or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Is There Such a Thing As Healthy Alcohol Consumption?

patient-consults-with-doctorApril is Alcohol Awareness Month in the US. For many of us, an occasional drink can be a great accompaniment to a nice meal, a night out, or other social situations. But alcohol use over time can pose certain health concerns if not kept in moderation. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought it would be instructive to discuss alcohol and how it should be consumed safely and responsibly. More specifically, we wanted to discuss what constitutes a healthy level of alcohol consumption, or if there is such a thing.

How much alcohol per week is considered unhealthy?

We’ve all heard the term “drinking in moderation”, but what constitutes moderation? According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025,”, moderate drinking allows for two or fewer per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.

Health conditions that alcohol can make worse?

For people with certain health conditions or risk factors, alcohol can exacerbate symptoms or lead to more serious complications in the future. And in these cases, no amount of alcohol consumption can be safely recommended. For example, people who have experienced a hemorrhagic stroke (leaking or rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain), drinking alcohol can increase the risk of additional strokes in the future. People who have liver, pancreatic, or heart disease also should not drink.

If you’re still not sure about healthy alcohol consumption, this is a great topic to bring up with your healthcare provider during an annual appointment. The more knowledge you have about the state of your health, the better and more informed decisions you can make about drinking and what is right for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

These Nutrition Tips Can Help Improve Overall Health & Wellness

plastic-heart-and-stethoscopeIt should not come as a surprise that nutrition is an integral part of long-term health and wellness. As the old saying goes, “You are what you eat.” But with so much information available online and the complicated nature of nutrition, it can be easy to get confused when it comes to healthy eating. There can even be conflicting opinions among qualified experts, which can make things even more challenging for people. However, some nutrition essentials are simply a matter of fact, and anyone can benefit from taking the following nutrition tips to heart.

Prioritize Fiber Intake

Fiber is one of the most important nutrients there is. Eating fiber helps maintain digestive health while also helping to make us feel fuller longer, which can prevent overeating and excessive snacking. Fiber can also help control blood sugar and lower cholesterol levels. Some foods that are rich in fiber include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Like author Michael Pollan has said, “Came from a plant, eat it; was made in a plant, don’t.“

Avoid Added Sugars

It’s natural to have a bit of a sweet tooth and sugar in general can be difficult to avoid. But added sugars are a different story. Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to foods and drinks when they are processed or prepared (as opposed to sugars that occur naturally in certain foods). This includes products like cane juice, corn syrup, dextrose, and fructose. Consuming too much added sugar can contribute to weight gain, and serious health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. As a tip, drink water instead of sugary sodas or juices, and consider low-sugar alternatives to products like maple syrup and honey when possible. The best thing you can do is read labels to ensure the content is low when it comes to added sugar.

Try to Eat Out Less

We all love eating out at restaurants, but there can be significant nutritional advantages to planning and preparing more of your own meals. Doing so can help maintain the balance of your diet, while avoiding unhealthy ingredients like too much butter and salt. Eating at home also helps manage portion control. As an added bonus, eating fewer meals in restaurants can also provide some relief to your bank account.

Eat a Wide Variety of Colors

One thing we often recommend to people is to make sure when they’re eating a meal, that there is a variety of different-colored foods on their plate. Green vegetables are crucial, but fruits like oranges and tomatoes are also loaded with vitamins, fiber, and other great nutrients. Some starchy white foods like bread and potatoes can be fine in moderation as long as they are part of a balanced and colorful diet.

Here at Abraham Family Medicine, the health and wellbeing of our patients is always our top priority. This is why in addition to health advice like this, we offer comprehensive diagnostic testing to help our patients gain a full understanding of their health and risk factors for potential health concerns. 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.

How To End Your Year in Good Health & Wellness

American Heart Month at Abraham Family MedicineIt’s hard to believe that 2022 is coming to a close. We’ve been fortunate to be able to meet so many new patients and get reacquainted with our returning ones this year at Abraham Family Medicine. But before we put the year behind us for good, we thought it would be helpful to provide a few end-of-year health tips for our readers. Following these steps can help close out 2022 and enter the new year feeling your best.

Schedule An Annual Check-Up

Making sure that you have undergone an annual check-up appointment before the year is through is always highly recommended. Doing so can help make sure your general health is in good standing before the new year begins, and help detect potential health issues early on before they become a problem to your well-being. As an added bonus for some patients, booking an annual appointment late in the year can help take advantage of already-exceeded deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses in case any additional testing or appointments are needed.

Get a Flu Shot

We’re right in the midst of an especially bad flu season and it’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones by receiving a flu shot this December. While it may not be possible to fully prevent the flu, being immunized against the flu can greatly reduce your chances of catching the flu while also diminishing symptoms in the case that you still get sick.

Take Care During The Holidays

Although we love the holiday season, there is no denying that this can be a challenging time of year when it comes to trying to stay healthy. Between the dropping temperatures and holiday gatherings, and the stress that comes along with the season, it’s no wonder why so many people get sick this time of year. So dress warmly, wash your hands regularly (especially before eating), avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, stay hydrated, and prioritize getting a good night’s sleep to help your immune system.

Before we sign off, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of our incredible patients and their families for helping us have another great year at our practice. It is sincerely an honor to serve you and we look forward to all the goodness that 2023 will have in store. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

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