Lawrenceville geriatric medicine

Do You Have High Cholesterol?

There are a number of things that could be happening inside your body that you may not even know exists. While some medical conditions are associated with clear warning signs and symptoms that can alert the need to consult your doctor, this doesn’t apply to everything – especially when it pertains to your cholesterol. The body produces all of the cholesterol it needs, but certain foods contain large amounts of cholesterol as well. When a person has a high concentration of cholesterol in their blood, it can increase their chance of heart disease and be potentially fatal should an occurrence of heart attack occur. On top of all that, high cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms or warning signs, so many people aren’t aware if their levels are considered at risk or not. The providers of Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine want to make sure you lead the healthiest and happiest lifestyle possible, but do you know if you have high cholesterol or not?

Do You Have High CholesterolWhat is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a wax-like, fatty substance that’s found in the blood and used to help build healthy cells that make hormones, Vitamin D, and other aids for food digestion. There are two main types of lipoproteins (small packages of lipids/fat encased in proteins), that help the cholesterol travel through the blood:

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – considered the “bad” form of cholesterol that builds up within the artery’s walls, causing them to harden and narrow. The more LDL you have, the greater your chance of heart disease.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – considered the “good” form of cholesterol that transports extra cholesterol back into the liver.

The main concern with having a higher level of LDL is that it can cause blood clots to form that can ultimately restrict oxygen-rich blood from getting to the heart. Once oxygen is restricted from the heart muscle, it can create lead to chest pain, stroke, or heart attack. Without proper treatment, and very quickly, heart attacks and strokes can lead to serious health problems or even be fatal.

How is high cholesterol treated?

The only way to accurately get a read on your cholesterol levels is by performing a diagnostic blood test after the patient has fasted (meaning no eating or drinking). The blood test will give a report on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (a type of fat within the blood). Measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood, the general guide we use for our patients is:

  • Below 200 mg/dL – good
  • 200-239 mg/dL – borderline high
  • 240+ mg/dL – too high

Typically, patients who have a family history of high cholesterol, have chronic heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it may be recommended to have their cholesterol levels tested more frequently than others. Testing is generally suggested every four to six years for patients without preexisting conditions or family history, but we would say to ask your doctor if you’re concerned or just want to have that peace of mind.

If it’s determined that you fall within the “too high” range, and despite your best efforts to make a healthy lifestyle change, if your cholesterol levels remain high, medication may be recommended. There are various medication and supplements available today, and we would help you determine which one is best suited for your individual needs.

Can high cholesterol be prevented?

High cholesterol can come from a number of risk factors but the most common include: poor diet and exercise, obesity (a BMI of 30+), diabetes, and smoking, however, genetics also plays a role. The good news is that these risks can be managed with preventative treatment, or a healthy lifestyle change to be more specific! If you have high cholesterol, you can lower your levels by:

  • Paying close attention to the types of foods you consume – choose healthier fats (avocados, almonds, pecans, etc.), avoid trans fats (often found in margarines and commercially-baked goods), choose whole grains, load up on fruits and vegetables, add more heart-healthy fish (salmon, mackerel, and herring), quit smoking, and limit your alcohol consumption.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight. Extra weight on your body can contribute to higher levels of cholesterol, so even dropping a few pounds can help lower this number. Exercise has amazing health benefits in general, so it should already be incorporated into your active lifestyle, but if it isn’t, it’s never too late to start.
  • Exercise frequently. You don’t necessarily need to train for a marathon to reduce your likelihood of having high cholesterol, but carving out 30-60 minutes of exercise several days a week is ideal.

Right now, you can take part in a clinical trial sponsored by Pfizer for a new lipid lowering medication, right here at Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine! If you are a patient with high cholesterol and are interested in participating in this clinical research study, call Lisa Gordon, CCRC at 770-238-1593 for more information.

The Importance of Colon Cancer Awareness

Cancer can attack just about any part of the body. The best defense you can have against cancer is early detection and that’s one of the main reasons the Abraham Family and Geriatric Medicine team likes to stress the importance of regular screening for everyone, whether you feel healthy or not! With certain conditions, symptoms are obvious and then there are those conditions that have quiet symptoms that may not present themselves until after the infection or disease has extensively spread. According to the American Cancer Society’s latest statistics, colon cancer is the third most common cancer that affects both men and women (this doesn’t include skin cancers) and it’s predicted that 95,270 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. Here’s why we are firm believers in annual exams, the importance of colon cancer awareness, and what you should know!

The Importance of Colon Cancer AwarenessCancer that develops in the colon is commonly referred as colorectal cancer and begins as a growth on the lining of the colon, called a polyp. Not all polyps become cancer, but for some, abnormal cells form into cancerous cells within the polyp that can eventually grow and spread to other parts of the body. Colon cancer typically develops among geriatric patients 50 years old and up, but those with a family history of colon cancer are at higher risk of inheriting the same gene mutation. As of now, we’re not exactly sure the cause of this specific cancer but symptoms of colon cancer include:

  • Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
  • Cramping, gas, or consistent abdominal discomfort
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or an inconsistent change in your stool that lasts for several weeks
  • Weakness, fatigue, or rapid weight loss

Patients with a history of polyps, chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, or diabetes, have a family history of colon cancer, live a sedentary lifestyle, or regularly engage in smoking, consuming alcohol, or have a low-fiber, high-fat diet are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

The three main types of treatments available include minimally-invasive surgery (for early stages) and surgery for invasive and advanced cases of colon cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation. At the very core, most patients diagnosed with colon cancer undergo some type of surgery and treatment plan to help remove the cancerous polyps and reduce the chances of further spreading – this is all dependent on the stage of your developing cancer (new cases versus cases where cancer has gone unnoticed for a good bit of time and already spread to other parts of the body). Your specific treatment plan will come after your doctor has performed all proper medical screening for colon cancer, diagnosed your stage, and devises a recommended approach to treatment.

If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, we recommend reaching out to your doctor as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of colon cancer or to get started on treatment of your colon cancer. Catching any form of cancer at its earliest stages of development is the best defense a patient can have at getting treatment started early and increasing the effectiveness your treatment. If you’re not sure the recommended testing, utilize your time during wellness visits to get a better understanding of important screenings that we recommend as you mature and to discuss if your family’s history increases your risk of life-threatening conditions, like colon cancer. To get started on taking control of your health and safety, don’t hesitate to contact Abraham Family Medicine at 770-978-1331. Stay connected with our team for the latest family and geriatric medicine news and updates by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

Why Are Advance Directives Important?

Planning for an unforeseen future can be difficult in general for many of us. As we get older, the necessity to make sure all of your personal affairs are legally documented are important as they provide a type of guide for how you would like things to happen once you have passed away. Contrary to what some may think, these types of end-of-life documents aren’t just necessary for the elderly, but anyone who wants to have a say in their medical treatment at any point in their life. At Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine, our providers counsel patients to help them make the big decisions regarding their preferences for their healthcare treatments in the event they aren’t able to speak for themselves. To help give patients a better understanding, our providers share their thoughts on the answer to one of the most common questions we hear from patients: Why are advance directives important?

Why Are Advance Directives ImportantAdvance Directives 101

What are advance directives?

  • Advance directives, or also known as a living will, are legally-valid written documents that specifically instruct out your end-of-life medical care wishes. Advance directives tell doctors and caregivers how to proceed with your healthcare treatment in the event you become terminally ill, injured, in a coma, in late stages of dementia, or nearing death.

How do I get my advance directives?

  • To complete your advance directives it’s best to check your state’s requirements (links to specific forms are generally found on the American Bar Association or the National Hospice websites). All advance directives must be in writing and depending on where you live, may need to be signed by yourself and a witness and/or notarized. Having a lawyer is not typically needed to assist with the process but we certainly encourage patients to discuss the advance directives process with their doctor to ensure completion.

Do I need advance directives by a specific age?

  • We like to recommend all adults consider advance directives (not just for the geriatric community) because sometimes tragedy can occur without any warning and at any stage of life. Rather than leave your loved ones or those closest to you with the potential burden of having to make tough decisions when emotions are already high, you can have it explicitly spelled out. It takes all of the guesswork out of what should be done and ideally will have already been shared with your friends/family so they are prepared should the time ever arise where your advance directive is required.

What should be done with my completed advance directives?

  • Once you have completed your advance directives, there are a few key suggestions we recommend:
    • Keep the original in a safe place (but don’t make it too difficult to get access to)
    • Provide a copy of advance directives to your doctor
    • As a secondary recommendation, you should consider naming a person to be in charge of making decisions for you when you’re not able to. Typically called a health care agent or health care proxy, this person can be a spouse, family member, friend, or even a member of the community. Since not all sickness and illness can be anticipated and some situations may require a quick judgment call, having a named health care agent who is knowledgeable in your wishes and above all confident in their abilities to make these decisions, is important.
    • Keep a record of all persons who have a copy of your advance directives.

Can advance directives be changed?

  • Absolutely! Advance directives never expire and are effective until you make changes (in which time the older version of the advance directives become invalidated). To make changes you’ll have to complete the process again, just be sure to distribute updated copies to all affiliated parties to ensure the most up-to-date information is on file.

If you or your loved one is interested in discussing advanced directives or the geriatric and family medicine services we provide , don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ben Abraham or one of our experienced providers today. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for health-related tips and topics.

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