health tips

Protect Your Skin During UV Safety Awareness Month

checking-mole-on-backWe 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.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month!

High Blood Pressure Abraham Family Medicine

One of the most important things a person can do to aid their long-term health and wellbeing is to be aware of their blood pressure. Known medically as hypertension, high blood pressure is a common condition that occurs when a person’s blood pressure reaches a level that is considered unhealthy. High blood pressure is very common among adults in the US. And while some may feel that having high blood pressure isn’t such a big deal, high blood pressure can lead to many very serious health problems over time if left untreated. That’s why in honor of National High Blood Pressure Education Month we wanted to provide some helpful information on the subject for our readers.

Blood pressure measures the amount of blood that passes through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping. The more blood that the heart pumps, the narrower the arteries get, and the higher the blood pressure is. A blood pressure reading has two numbers:

Systolic Pressure (top number) – measures the pressure in the arteries when the heartbeats.

Diastolic Pressure (bottom number) – measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

High blood pressure often develops slowly over the course of many years. In many cases, people with this condition do not experience any other symptoms. But high blood pressure can still damage the blood vessels and vital organs in asymptomatic people. While there may not be any specific, identifiable cause of high blood pressure, there are several risk factors that people should be aware of including advanced age, a family history of the condition, being overweight, a lack of physical activity, stress, abuse of tobacco, abuse of alcohol, and more.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease. Over time, high blood pressure can cause the arteries to harden and thicken, which can drastically increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other serious complications. Additionally, by making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood, high blood pressure can also lead to heart failure. Untreated high blood pressure may also affect a person’s memory and cognition as they age, and even cause dementia.

All this is to say is that high blood pressure is very serious and not something that can be ignored. This is why it’s so important to speak with your healthcare provider about your blood pressure during annual check-up appointments and make healthy lifestyle choices to promote wellness. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

Answering Common Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines

BAPC-logoAs we begin our second year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are finally beginning to see brighter days in the near future. This is largely due to the approval and distribution of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations. Since this is such an important and frequently asked about topic, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to take some time to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions we have received from patients about the COVID-19 vaccines and their dependability.

Can I get COVID-19 from getting the vaccine?

No you cannot. While it’s true that any vaccine will expose your body to COVID-19, there are no intact virus molecules in any of the vaccines that can make a patient sick. The mRNA-based vaccines (including the ones created by Pfizer and Moderna) contain only manufactured mRNA molecules that carry the instructions for building the virus’ spike protein, but do not contain the virus itself. Once the vaccine is administered, the patient’s own cells use this mRNA to build up protein that triggers a response from their immune system. This effectively protects the immune system from future COVID-19 infection. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is what’s known as a viral vectored vaccine. Once injected, the J&J vaccine instructs cells to make the SARS-2 spike protein, which then triggers an immune response.

How do we know they are effective if they have never been used on humans before?

They in fact have been used on humans, just not to the general public. Researchers actually began working towards mRNA vaccines over 20 years ago, but they have only become feasible thanks to technological breakthroughs made in the last decade. Design of mRNA components for COVID vaccines began over a year ago once the viral genome became available. These mRNA vaccines are considered ideal for prevention of COVID-19 since they are both safe and easily manufactured from common materials. The only thing expedited was manufacturing and distribution, not the science or research behind the vaccines themselves. Any COVID-19 vaccine made available to the public has been authorized and deemed safe by the FDA.

What are the expected side-effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines?

Although every person may react differently, common side effects include moderate pain or soreness in the injection site. Some people also experience some flu-like symptoms, however, this is a good sign and an indication that the vaccine is effective and being met by a healthy immune system.

Do I need to be vaccinated if I’ve already had COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies?

Yes, we recommend for people who have previously been exposed to COVID-19 to still seek out a vaccine when it becomes available to them. Experts strongly believe that although antibodies can potentially help fight off future COVID infections, immunity is far stronger following a vaccination that it would be following a natural infection.

We hope you found these answers informative and reassuring. It’s understandable if you have additional questions of your own about COVID-19 vaccinations, but we thought this would serve as an excellent place to start. For more information or 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.

Answering Your Common Questions About Heart Health

heart-wrapped-by-stethoscopeFebruary is approaching, which means it is nearly American Heart Month here at Abraham Family Medicine. This is a time when our healthcare providers try to help educate our readers about the causes and effects of heart disease, as well as the importance of heart health. This year, we wanted to answer a few common questions on this subject to help demonstrate the importance of taking a proactive approach to heart health.

Question #1: What are the common symptoms of heart disease to look out for?

There are many irregular symptoms that can be signs of potential heart disease. It’s crucial for adults to be aware of these warning signs and take action if any of these effects linger or become more serious over a short period of time. Common symptoms include pain or discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, lack of energy (especially during exercise), an irregular heartbeat, and difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Question #2: How does smoking specifically affect the health of my heart?

Roughly 30% of all deaths from heart disease in the US are directly associated with cigarette smoking. Smoking is a leading cause of atherosclerosis, a condition that causes the arteries to harden and blood flow to the heart to be affected. The nicotine found in both cigarettes and electronic smoking devices can also decrease the flow of oxygen to the heart, cause blood clotting, and lead to high blood pressure (another leading cause of heart issues).

Question #3: What can I do to improve my heart health?

While it may seem like an uphill battle for some people, even seemingly modest lifestyle changes can go a long way towards improving the health of the heart. Getting 30 minutes per day of daily exercise is highly recommended. This can just be simple activities like walking or biking around the neighborhood. If you miss a day, don’t get frustrated and just make up for it later. Eating a healthy diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in fats and overly salty foods, can also be incredibly helpful.

An annual wellness check-up can provide an outstanding opportunity to better understand the status of your heart health and learn what you can be doing better to promote long-term health and wellness. 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, and Lilburn.

Holiday Season Health Tips from Abraham Family Medicine

female-sneezingEveryone here at Abraham Family Medicine is excited that the holiday season is here once again. There is a lot to love about the holidays, however this is also the time of year when sickness is most common. Cold temperatures, festive gatherings, cold and flu germs in the air during the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional holiday stress can all do a number on a person’s immune system. This year more than ever, it’s important to make your health a priority. That’s why the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to reduce your risk of seasonal illness this holiday season.

Bundle Up

As temperatures continue to drop, it’s important to keep yourself warm. Wearing appropriate outdoor clothing is critical for staying healthy throughout the holidays. This includes layering and making sure to wear gloves, hats, scarves, and proper boots when necessary.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

In the wake of COVID-19, we know everyone has been sanitizing their hands like never before. But it’s important to keep that up throughout the holidays. Doing so can help prevent the spread of germs associated with the flu, the common cold, and other seasonal health issues. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm/hot water for 20 seconds.

Consider Year-End Health Screenings

There’s no such thing as a bad time for a check-up with your healthcare provider, but doing so around the holidays can be a great way to put a bow of health and wellness on your year. The annual check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to make sure your immunizations and health screenings are up to date heading into the new year.

Try to Eat Healthy

We know this is easier said than done with all the delicious holiday meals and tasty treats around. However, moderation can be very helpful. If you know there is an indulgent Christmas dinner coming up, try to make sure that your meals surrounding it are a bit healthier and richer in important nutrients. You can make healthy eating choices without depriving yourself.

The holidays should be a time of joy, festivity, and relaxation. Following these tips can help promote a healthy holiday season for you and the special people in your life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Tips to Help Successfully Manage Your Stress

Tips to Help Successfully Manage Your StressApril is Stress Awareness Month. Although stress is natural and something that we all deal with, many people may not realize the impact that stress can have on our health. Stress is the body’s natural reaction to any change that prompts a physical, mental, or emotional response. While it’s true that our bodies are designed to experience and react to stress, continuous stress without the necessary relief or relaxation can lead to stress-related tension and negative affects on our physical and mental health including headaches, heart disease, stomach issues, high blood pressure, and more.

Being overstressed can lead to new health issues and also exacerbate or trigger existing diseases and ailments. That’s why it’s so important to manage your stress in a healthy, productive way. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine suggest taking the following steps to help better manage your daily stress:

  • Exercise regularly. Getting even moderate daily exercise (around 30 minutes per day) is one of the most surefire ways to ease your body and mind after a stressful day. Additionally, exercise can also help improve your mood. This can mean a vigorous workout, playing a sport, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or household tasks like chores or gardening.
  • Give your muscles a break. Stress can make the muscles tense, so taking simple steps to relax your muscles can go a long way towards reducing stress. Stretching, taking a hot shower or bath, and (most importantly) making sure to get enough sleep (7-9 hours nightly) are all highly recommended stress reducers.
  • Eating a balanced diet can help you feel better, maintain a good mood, and limit stress. We recommend getting the necessary amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables daily and eating whole grains and lean proteins for energy. Keep in mind that skipping meals can actually increase your stress.
  • Take some time to decompress. It’s important to give your mind some time away from the things in life that most lead to stress. This means taking some time away from your smartphone and other devices. We recommend making time every day for calming activities like deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, reading, and more.

Stress is unavoidable, but hopefully these tips can help you deal with your stress in a healthier way and avoid and stress-related health concerns for now and for years to come. For more information 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.

 

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