family medicine

March 24, 2022

How Does Stress Affect a Person’s Health?

What to Know During Stress Awareness Month this April In honor of Stress Awareness Month this upcoming April, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to take some time to talk about stress and the many ways that it can affect a person’s health. When it comes to a person’s health, the body and mind are very closely connected. Being overly stressed, or not understanding how to properly manage your stress, can affect a person’s mood and emotional wellbeing, while also contributing to potentially serious health conditions. We wanted to take some time to get specific about stress and what it actually does to the body as well as offer a few helpful tips to manage it.

When a person experiences a stressful situation, this sets off a reaction in the body where stress hormones can produce physiological changes. For example, experiencing stress can cause the heart to pound, muscles to tense up, and a person’s breathing to become faster. While the body is able to use these hormonal changes and physiological responses to either combat these effects, the body can also overreact to stress. And over time, repeated activation of this stress response can often take a toll on a person’s health and wellness.

Too much stress can lead to short-term and long-term health issues if not properly managed. Short-term health effects of stress include headaches, chest pains, stomach, and digestive issues, and tension in muscles all over the body. Being overly stressed for an extended period of time can increase a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure or experiencing a heart attack while weakening the immune system. Additionally, there is a connection between stress and fertility issues in both men and women.

Research suggests that chronic stress over the years can also have negative effects on a person’s mental health. This includes contributing to anxiety, depression, addiction, and sleep disorders.

While stress may be unavoidable, there are things that our providers recommend to help manage stress in a more healthy way. Getting regular daily exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet are certainly helpful steps. Breathing techniques and meditation are also known to help reduce stress. As are taking a break from technology and giving your mind time to decompress during the day. The bottom line is to find or do healthful things that can allow you to reduce your stress levels. For more information on stress management or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

February 28, 2022

Hear Firsthand From Real Abraham Family Medicine Patients!

BAPC-logo One of the things that we are most grateful for at Abraham Family Medicine is being able to cultivate meaningful, lasting relationships with so many of our patients through the years. It means so much to know our patients and their families trust and depend on us for their healthcare needs. And the most important factor for building and sustaining this trust is often making a great first impression. That’s why we are proud to share the following medical testimonials from our patients. Hopefully these stories will help assure future patients of the level of care and professionalism they can expect from our healthcare providers:

I have been a patient for a few years. It’s convenient to where I live and when I need to be seen for an issue I can get an appointment fairly quickly. When scheduled for an appointment, they call you back quickly and see you quickly once placed in the room. I’ve never had to wait for extended periods of time before I’m seen. My Husband and 20-year old daughter are now patients with this office as well. I was there for my annual physical exam recently and my blood pressure reading was lower than what it was when I was taking it at home. The nurse gave me a quick tutorial on how to take my blood pressure at home and told me to make sure the cuff wasn’t too tight. Now my BP is reading closer to what it reads at their office and closer to normal range. She also told me how I can get my blood pressure machine calibrated. I love this office and have always had a pleasant experience. I would recommend them to others.

– MA

I’ve been going to Dr. Abraham since the early ’90s and have had no major problems. Just the opposite. He caught and saved me from kidney disease, working with a specialist. His lab caught my hepatitis-C and helped cure it after a two year treatment with a specialist. He has treated me for everything from cuts and scrapes to the flu and other infections and illnesses. Not really any long wait times with an appointment and I always get plenty of face time the doctor. Give them a call and make your appointment today for a physical with one of their physicians.

– MM

I have been coming here for years. I have been seen by just about every doctor or nurse practitioner at the practice and I love all of them. They are amazing! I called in unexpectedly one morning, thinking I had COVID-19. They were slammed full, but when I mentioned I was sick and I thought I had COVID, they did everything they could to fit me in a video call. I had two prescriptions called in immediately. They even let my husband and I drive up to the parking lot to receive rapid tests for COVID, as well as the flu and strep throat. I was positive for COVID, but thanks to their help and quick response I feel much better already. They are truly amazing people. The whole staff rocks!

– KF

Before we sign off, we wanted to take some time to thank the patients who have left us such positive and helpful feedback over the years. We’re always striving to get better, and hearing back from our patients allows us to know what is working for our patients, as well as which areas can be improved upon in the future. If you have had a similar experience with Abraham Family Medicine that you would like to share, you can leave us a review on Google, Healthgrades, or Vitals. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

January 31, 2022

Statistics to Know For American Heart Month

heart-icon Heart health should be of the utmost importance to any person concerned about their long-term health and wellbeing. The heart is among the most vital organs in the human body and a healthy heart is essential for healthy living. In honor of the upcoming American Heart Month this February, our healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to present some helpful and informative statistics about heart disease and its prevalence. After all, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US year after year. All figures below were collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Approximately every 36 seconds, one person in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease.
Roughly 659,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, meaning that it is responsible for about 1 in every 4 deaths annually.
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, resulting in just under half of all heart disease deaths each year.
About 18.2 Americans above the age of 20 (nearly 7%) have coronary artery disease.
The overwhelming majority (about 80%) of coronary artery disease deaths happen in adults 65 and up.
Every year, roughly 805,000 people in the US (or one person every 40 seconds) have a heart attack.
About 1 in every 5 heart attacks is silent, meaning the person is not even aware that they have experienced it.
Heart disease costs the US about $363 billion annually, including the cost of healthcare services, medicines, and lost productivity due to illness and death.

With these statistics in mind, it’s helpful to remember that there are meaningful steps that can be taken to reduce a person’s risk of heart disease. We recommend maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet and getting regular daily exercise, or another form of physical activity, to help keep a healthy body weight. It’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about your cholesterol levels if they are elevated. Smoking and drinking alcohol in excess can also negatively impact heart health.

Meeting with your healthcare provider for an annual wellness check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of your heart health and learn what you can be doing better to promote long-term health and wellness. 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.

December 30, 2021

Have You Had Your Annual Check-Up?

Have You Had Your Annual Check-Up? The holiday season is in full swing here at Abraham Family Medicine. It’s hard to believe the start of another new year is right around the corner. We understand that the holidays are a very busy time for many people, however, the time to get an annual physical appointment before the end of the year is running short. Even if you can’t squeeze it in before the calendar turns to January, starting the new year with an annual check-up is an essential component of maintaining long-term health and wellness.

During check-ups in our office, we provide our patients with several essential healthcare services. To help reinforce the importance of undergoing an annual check-up, our healthcare providers wanted to list a few of the most pressing reasons to schedule a check-up appointment at the start of the new year:

An annual wellness visit can help determine your risk of potentially serious illnesses and health conditions. Diagnostic health screenings and a thorough discussion could flag risks for inherited conditions like certain types of cancer or diabetes. In addition to potential treatments and medications, these risk factors could simply lead to recommendations on adjustments to your diet, exercise regimen, sleep, or other lifestyle habits.
In some cases, the symptoms of some potentially serious health concerns like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, high blood pressure can be subtle and virtually impossible to detect on your own. An annual check-up appointment can assist in accurately diagnosing these concerns when they are in their earliest and most treatable stages.
Annual check-up appointments can help you and your healthcare provider build a relationship and allow them to gain a better understanding of your health over time. This includes tracking the status of long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis from one year to the next.
An annual appointment can serve as a reference point from year-to-year for several very important health screenings and other yearly responsibilities. This includes breast exams for women, prostate exams for men, annual vaccinations, and much more.

Starting the new year with an annual check-up appointment can go a long way towards helping people achieve the best possible health and wellness in the year ahead and beyond. 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.

November 23, 2021

How To Keep Yourself & Your Family Healthy This Holiday Season

Staying healthy this holiday season Lists are always helpful this time of year. The holidays are obviously a busy time of year for so many of us. Keeping lists of all the groceries to buy, presents to pick out, etc. can be incredibly helpful for keeping yourself organized and on track through the holiday season. With this in mind, the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide our readers with a list of our own. We understand that with so much going on during the holidays, it can be difficult to make your health and wellbeing a priority. However, it’s well established that the holiday season is one of the most common times people get sick due to all the traveling, stress, and large gatherings.

To help our readers hopefully avoid getting sick this year, we have created this checklist of holiday season health tips:

Make regular hand washing a priority. We know that in the wake of COVID-19, people are washing and sanitizing their hands more than ever. But it’s worth reiterating that washing your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water for 20 seconds can effectively prevent the spread of germs associated with the flu, the common cold, and other seasonal health issues.
Try to keep your stress in check. If you feel yourself getting overly stressed out, give yourself a break. We recommend talking to someone about how you’re feeling, connecting with the special people in your life that can help, and making sure to prioritize getting plenty of nightly sleep.
Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. With all the talk of COVID-19 vaccinations in recent months, it’s important not to forget the importance of getting an annual flu shot this time of year. Doing so can help drastically decrease your chances of contracting the flu and getting seriously ill.
Make healthy choices. Try not to overeat. We know this is easier said than done, but practicing some moderation can be incredibly helpful. Make an effort to eat some fresh fruit and vegetables during big holiday meals when you can and try to eat a light lunch if you know a big dinner is coming. Making sure to get exercise during this time of year is also incredibly important.

One excellent way to promote health and wellness this holiday season is to schedule an end-of-year annual check-up with your healthcare provider. It can be incredibly helpful and reassuring to step into the new year with a clean bill of health. For more information or 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, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville, and Stone Mountain.

November 11, 2021

Raising Awareness For American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month here in the US. While this may seem like common knowledge to many people, it’s important to reiterate that diabetes is one of the most common health conditions facing American adults and children. However, in many cases, diabetes can be prevented or at least managed with the right care, treatment, and healthy lifestyle habits. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some helpful information about diabetes for our readers.

We wanted to begin by providing some basic stats to reinforce just how prevalent diabetes is. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 34.2 million Americans (10.5% of the US population) are currently living with diabetes. Of these cases, over 7.3 million cases are currently undiagnosed. An additional 88 million Americans (including over 24 million over the age of 65) have prediabetes and are at high risk of developing diabetes.

Needless to say, the threat of diabetes is something that cannot be ignored. Some people are born with diabetes (this is known as type 1 diabetes) and in these cases, prevention is not possible. However, there are several risk factors to be aware of that can contribute to the development of diabetes later in life (type 2 diabetes).

These diabetes risk factors include:

Being overweight
A lack of regular physical activity
A family history of diabetes
High blood pressure
Certain pre-existing medical conditions including polycystic ovary syndrome in women

The good news is that diabetes can be prevented. We recommend eating a healthy diet, low in both sugary foods and refined carbs. Exercising regularly can help increase insulin secretion and sensitivity, which may assist in reducing the progression from prediabetes to diabetes. It’s also important to drink plenty of water and avoid smoking.

One of the most effective methods for preventing and treating diabetes is to visit your healthcare provider for annual check-up appointments to make sure that you are healthy. For more information on diabetes or 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, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville, and Stone Mountain.

September 30, 2021

Taking a Statistical Look at Breast Cancer

As many of our readers know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine urge our patients to be aware of their breast cancer risk and take a proactive approach to maintain their health as the years go on. This means keeping up with annual breast cancer screenings and performing regular breast self-exams. To help put the prevalence of this illness into perspective, we have compiled recent breast cancer statistics from experts in the field. All statistics are provided by the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Roughly 13% of all women in the US (or about 1 in every 8) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Over 281,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year.
An additional 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, although the risk for men is considerably lower.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, behind only lung cancer.
As of January of this year, there were more than 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer living in the US, including those currently being treated and those who have completed their treatment.
Breast cancer rates are highest for women between the ages of 60-84.
A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer nearly doubles in cases where she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has previously been diagnosed.

Understanding your potential risk is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. Women can potentially lower their breast cancer risk by living a healthy lifestyle including a nutritious diet, regular daily exercise, and avoiding alcohol.

While it may not be possible to prevent breast cancer, making sure that it is detected in a timely manner is incredibly important. For more information or 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, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

August 31, 2021

What To Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings

What To Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to take some time to discuss a few things men should know about prostate cancer screenings. It’s a fact that making and keeping annual screening appointments is a critical step for men trying to maintain their health and wellness as they age. However, it’s critical for men to fully understand the importance of screening appointments and their personal prostate cancer risk.

While it may not be possible to prevent illnesses like prostate cancer, regular screening appointments can ensure that the cancer is detected while it is in its earliest and most treatable stage. Thankfully prostate cancer is slow to metastasize relative to many other cancers. Still, if left untreated prostate cancer can spread throughout the body and become life-threatening for men.

There are two commonly used prostate cancer screening methods. Traditionally, healthcare providers have used what is known as a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) to manually detect abnormalities within or around the prostate area. However, many doctors today prefer the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. PSAs are substances naturally produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of breast cancer or other conditions that affect the prostate like inflammation.

One thing men can do to better understand their risk of developing prostate cancer and how proactive they should be about starting annual prostate exams is identifying the risk factors commonly associated with the disease. Prostate cancer risk factors include:

Being 50 years of age or older
Having a close relative (a father, brother, or uncle) who developed prostate cancer before the age of 65
Being of African American descent
Eating a diet high in animal fats and low in fresh vegetables

We hope our readers found this helpful and informative. It’s not hyperbole to say that regular screening for prostate cancer can be legitimately life-saving for men as the years go on. We strongly recommend speaking with your healthcare provider about prostate health during your next annual physical appointment. 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, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

August 9, 2021

Ask the Doctors: Diagnostic Testing at Abraham Family Medicine

Diagnostic testing is an incredibly powerful tool in the world of medicine. Before any treatment can begin, an accurate diagnosis must be confirmed. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we perform several types of diagnostic testing in the comfort of our office to assist in caring for our patients. To further elaborate on the benefits this can provide our patients and their loved ones, our board-certified healthcare providers have taken time to answer a few questions about some of the types of diagnostic testing we offer.

Question #1: How Does In-Office Diagnostic Testing Benefit Patients?

Offering in-office diagnostic testing is often a major convenience for our patients. Doing so can save time (and additional costs) by eliminating the need for additional trips to a hospital or separate imaging center for something like an MRI or a CT scan. Additionally, this can help avoid potential complications associated with the patient’s health insurance.

Question #2: What Is The Difference Between An Echocardiogram & An Electrocardiogram (EKG)?

We use both echocardiograms and EKGs to detect and diagnose various forms of heart disease. However, the tests differ in what they specifically measure and capture. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound technology to depict pictures of the heart and provide information on the activity and function of the heart. An EKG traces the rhythm of a patient’s heartbeats to potentially detect underlying heart conditions like arrhythmias, heart defects, and coronary artery disease. Both tests can often be used in tandem to provide a more comprehensive picture of the patient’s heart health.

Question #3: Is It Safe To Undergo An X-Ray

While it’s true that x-ray technology exposes the patient to radiation, it is perfectly safe to undergo an x-ray to detect a potentially fractured bone. X-rays only use a low level of radiation and the risk of any cell damage is extremely low. Additionally, we fit our patients with protective materials including x-ray safe aprons to limit exposure to other areas of the body not being scanned.

Our providers have the experience and knowledge to optimize all diagnostic testing to the benefit of our patients. For more information on diagnostic testing or other health and wellness topics, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

June 17, 2021

Protect Your Skin During UV Safety Awareness Month

checking-mole-on-back We hope everyone is having an excellent start to their summer. This is the time of year when it is most important to be aware of the power of the sun and the impact that its UV rays can have on your skin. Skin cancers including basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanomas are the most common type of cancer in the US according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In honor of UV Safety Awareness Month this July, the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine thought now would be the perfect time to provide tips about how our readers can effectively reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

Limit Exposure To Direct Sunlight

We know that the summer season can mean lots of time spent outdoors at the pool, beach, and other outdoor happenings. However, it’s important to try to limit direct sun exposure when possible. This means wearing protective clothing (including hats) and sunglasses when spending extended time out in the sun. Try to find a shady spot, especially when outdoors between 10AM and 4PM when the sun is strongest.

Be Aware Of Your ABCDE’s

This helpful mnemonic device can help people detect changes in their skin that can potentially be cancerous:

A – Asymmetry. Does your mole or spot have an irregular shape or two parts that look very different?
B – Border. Does your spot have an irregular or jagged border?
C – Color. Is the coloring uneven?
D – Diameter. Any mole or spot bigger than the size of a pea is worth monitoring.
E – Evolving. It’s very important to be aware of any changes the mole or spot has undergone.

Never Skip The Sunscreen

Dermatologists recommend applying some level of SPF protection year-round, and the summer is obviously no exception to this. We recommend using a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when spending extended time outdoors and re-applying every 2 hours (or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily).

Make Annual Screening Appointments

Screening for skin cancer testing is the most important step in protecting yourself against skin cancer. Doing so can help detect potential irregularities and find skin cancers when they are still in their earliest and most treatable stages. While we typically recommend being screened annually, it’s important to be screened as soon as possible if you have noticed any irregular growth.

While the prevalence of skin cancer may seem scary, the truth is that nearly 90% of all skin cancer cases are preventable with the right care and precautions. We hope these tips help all of our readers enjoy their outdoor summer fun as safely and responsibly as possible. For more information on skin cancer or other health and wellness topics, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.