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Facts & Myths To Know for American Diabetes Month

hands-hold-glucose-meterIn observance of American Diabetes Month this November, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine felt now would be a great time to discuss this all too common health condition and the role it plays in our lives.

Diabetes can affect people of all ages, but most often develops once someone is already in their adult years. This is known as type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which people are born with. With this in mind, it’s more important than ever for people to understand type 2 diabetes and take proactive steps to prevent it before it occurs. This is why our healthcare experts wanted to discuss diabetes by presenting a few facts and myths about the condition and its effects.

Prediabetes Will Always Develop Into Type-2 Diabetes

This is not always true. It is in fact possible to reverse prediabetes with certain healthy lifestyle adjustments. When the body’s natural glucose levels are lowered, the demand for insulin will also decrease. This can put prediabetes into remission or even reverse the condition entirely. This is why it’s so important for people with prediabetes to not get discouraged and do what it takes to eat right, limit sugars, exercise daily, and always drink plenty of water each day.

People With Diabetes Will Need To Only Eat Certain Special Foods

This is false. A healthy diet for people with diabetes is generally very similar to any other healthy diet. High in fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, low in sugars and processed fatty foods. Even with diabetes, you can still enjoy foods with carbs or unnatural sugars, it’s just about moderation and portion control when you do.

Injectable GLP-1 Medications Are The Best Treatment Method for Diabetes

This depends. In recent years, injectable GLP-1 medications generically known as Semaglutide have become very relevant for their ability to aid in weight loss. But these meds were first primarily used as a way to treat people with type 2 diabetes.

While it’s a fact that these medications can effectively help manage and lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, we can’t say that they are definitely the best treatment option without knowing the exact specifics of each person’s unique case. Some patients may be better off with glucose-lowering medications generically known as Metformin. We always make sure to thoroughly discuss every available option when making diabetes treatment recommendations for our patients.

Knowledge Is Power In The Fight Against Diabetes

The more someone knows about diabetes, the better prepared they will be to prevent it or successfully manage it in the case of a diagnosis. We strongly recommend discussing this subject at your next annual check-up appointment to clearly understand what more you can do to promote a healthy lifestyle in the spirit of prevention and long-term wellness.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Simple Tips To Help Manage Chronic Pain

woman-fingers-to-temples-in-painLiving with some degree of pain is perfectly normal, especially as we get older. But some people experience more serious and persistent pain that seriously impacts how they navigate through daily life.

September is Pain Awareness Month in the US, making this the perfect time for the providers at Abraham Family Medicine to share helpful information on chronic pain, how it affects patients, and practical ways to manage it.

What Is Chronic Pain?

By definition, chronic pain describes a condition where pain symptoms last over three months. In some cases, it can continue for years—or even indefinitely—depending on the underlying condition. According to the CDC, over 20% of adults in the US have or are currently experiencing symptoms of chronic pain.

Beyond physical discomfort, chronic pain can also take a serious toll on a person’s mental and emotional well-being, often leading to frustration, fatigue, or depression. With this in mind, here are some simple but effective tips for managing chronic pain.

Physical Pain Management Tips

  • Incorporate gentle exercise. Simple, everyday things like walking, swimming, or gardening can sometimes ease pain by blocking pain signals to the brain. Being active can also help by stretching stiff and tense muscles, ligaments, and joints.
  • Consider physical therapy or occupational therapy. These therapies are designed to help people with pain improve their strength and mobility (and sometimes even improve pain symptoms) and allow them to perform daily activities in a way that doesn’t exacerbate pain symptoms.
  • Try yoga or tai chi. This can help control breathing, while also strengthening important muscles without significant physical exertion.

Mental Pain Management Tips

  • Practice relaxation techniques. Breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness can reduce anxiety, muscle tension, and stress—all of which may amplify pain.
  • Maintain healthy sleep habits. Try sticking to regular bed times and wakeup times.
  • Seek emotional support. Living with pain can feel isolating. Talking to a counselor, joining a support group, or connecting with others who understand chronic pain can ease frustration and provide valuable coping strategies.

Talk To Your Doctor About Pain Management!

There’s no need to suffer in silence. Our healthcare providers have many years of experience helping patients manage their pain and improve their quality of life. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

What Is Included in a Routine Geriatric Check-Up?

doctor-consulting-with-geriatric-patientAt Abraham Family Medicine, we take immense pride in the specialized, compassionate care that we provide to all of our patients. However, geriatric medicine has always been a cornerstone of our practice. This is because as we age, our bodies face unique challenges and require tailored preventive strategies. And it takes considerable experience in the field of geriatric medicine to be able to provide the kind of care that our senior patients require and deserve. In this post, we wanted to go into more detail on one of the foundational aspects of healthcare for seniors, the routine geriatric check-up, and what is included in this service.

Why Routine Geriatric Check-Ups Are So Important:

Preventive medicine is important for all people, but becomes vital as we get older and our bodies experience more significant changes. With age comes increased risk of many of the most common chronic health conditions. These conditions include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, many forms of cancer, osteoporosis, and more. While prevention may not always be possible, early detection through regular screenings is of the utmost importance. Especially since many of these conditions don’t show any noticeable symptoms when they are in their earliest and most treatable stages.

What Routine Geriatric Check-Ups May Include:

In our office, we adhere to the guidelines for routine geriatric check-up appointments laid out by the United States Prevention Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Medical tests for seniors that may be conducted as part of these appointments include:

  • Measuring vital health indicators like weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and thyroid health
  • Screening for diabetes
  • Measuring bone density and screening for osteoporosis
  • Providing essential vaccinations to protect against the flu, pneumonia, shingles, and more
  • Screening for colon cancer
  • Female-only exams including breast cancer screening, pelvic screenings, and pap testing
  • Male-only exams including prostate cancer screening, rectal exams, PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) testing

The Power of Proactive Care

Routine geriatric check-ups can provide extremely valuable information about your health, and help you and your doctor make informed decisions about what’s best for your long-term wellness. By spotting changes early, we can adjust treatments, lifestyle plans, and referrals before small issues become major concerns.

Ready for Your Geriatric Check-Up?

For more information or to schedule your routine geriatric check-up with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

3 Facts About Stress & Your Health That Everyone Should Know

woman-looks-stressed-fingers-to-templesIt should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that stress is not healthy. Not physically, not mentally, not emotionally. And while we know it’s no help to simply say “just try not to stress out about it,” there are things that can be done to properly manage and control your stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month, and awareness is the critical word that we are focusing on in this blog post. The healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to discuss stress, and provide a few facts about how stress can impact our health and wellness (and what can be done about it).

Stress Can Affect Your Sleep

In some ways stress can be a double-edged sword. It’s natural to feel exhausted or wrung out on especially stressful days, which you would assume would help you sleep better at night. Unfortunately, the opposite is often true. Being overly stressed can affect your ability to sleep and even increase your risk of chronic insomnia or other sleep disorders. Over time, poor sleep can increase a person’s risk of many serious health conditions including high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as causing additional stress. It can be a vicious cycle.

Stress Can Impact Your Mental Health

A recent study conducted by the Mental Health Foundation asked people about the mental and psychological effects of stress. Over half of the respondents said that their stress has caused some degree of depression and anxiety over the past year. Additionally, respondents in the same study said that feeling overly stressed significantly increased their desire to partake in unhealthy habits like overeating, drinking alcohol, and smoking.

Stress Can Weaken Your Immune System

Stress can weaken a person’s immune system over time and increase the risk of common viruses and illnesses. The body’s natural response to stress is production of a stress hormone called cortisol. When the body is overstressed for an extended period of time, the body can get used to a surplus of cortisol in your blood, which can lead to chronic inflammation. This reaction can also decrease the count of the white blood cells that the body depends on to fight infection. This leaves the body especially vulnerable to colds and other illnesses. Too much stress can also trigger and worsen the symptoms of certain autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Ironic as this may sound, if you’re feeling stressed while reading this, take a deep breath. There is a lot that can be done to reduce stress levels, or handle being stressed in a more healthy way. Regular daily exercise is always encouraged. Practicing healthy breathing techniques and wellness exercises like yoga and meditation can also do wonders to relieve stress. We also suggest reading, and spending less time on your phone and other electronic devices, especially closer to bedtime to help promote healthy sleep.

Stress can feel like a lot to overcome, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Even small tweaks that can help reduce small amounts of stress can have significant long-term health benefits. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

The Special Impact That Our Family Medicine Care Has On Our Patients

No matter your line of work, there is immense satisfaction in knowing that you did your best and put in a job well done. However, this is amplified even more for healthcare providers like the experts here at Abraham Family Medicine. Knowing that what we do has such a profound impact on our patients and their loved ones, it means so much to us whenever we hear back from our patients with kind words and affirmations. With this in mind, we wanted to share some firsthand family medicine testimonials from our patients to show just how impactful our signature style of patient care can be. All reviews have been pulled from Google.

“My family and I have been patients here for a very long time. I love the warm and friendly care, concern and time spent on me at every appointment. All of their physicians are wicked smart and knowledgeable! They take the time to familiarize themselves with my history before they say hello, so my time with them is efficient and effective, but not rushed either. There is no hurried “take two of these and see if it helps” kind of treatment. They provide concrete answers, directions and a plan. The entire staff is fantastic, warm, smart, and caring. The Phlebotomists are so great too! No one likes it, but they’re so good, there is no pain and they are just so sweet!”

– Rhonda K.

“I chose this doctor because he had many five star reviews. My father just moved to Atlanta three months ago, and we were looking for a geriatric medicine doctor to assist. I did not see this doctor in person, but I talked to him over the phone. I loved the way he asked about my father’s medical history. He was very consistent and precise about what he wanted to evaluate my father.”

– Janice D.

“I’ve been a patient of this practice for years. I have always had an excellent experience, from the front desk to the staff in the back everyone is pleasant and welcoming. I’ve always received amazing care! Thank you to everyone here at Abraham Family!”

– Sandra B.

“I choose my care team carefully. I was more than satisfied in my choice to choose Abraham Family Medicine. The office upon entering is like no other to me, it’s serene and inviting, reminding me of a spa-like environment, waterfall and all. There are multiple windows with staff behind them and that’s a big deal in these times. They are friendly, inviting and caring at first sign-in. Energy and attitude transfers so good vibes flowed throughout my entire visit allowing me to be at ease. My wait time to be called to the back was minimal, and again, the level of care and concern is prevalent in every area I encountered. Then there’s the Doctor. You always hope for someone who listens, asks questions and has actually read the notes written, so as to discuss the best care for your needs all the while engaging in conversation with eye contact! I am completely excited to continue my health care journey with Abraham Family Medicine and I believe you will too.”

– Evie H.

We wanted to take a moment to thank all of our patients who have taken the time to leave us such kind reviews like this over the years. You all do so much to help make us the best practice we can be, and we’re so genuinely happy to hear that all the effort and hard work is appreciated. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

Hear Real Family Medicine Testimonials From Our Patients!

three-women-smilingReceiving feedback and knowing what you’re doing well (and what areas can be improved) is important in any field, but it becomes even more paramount in the world of medicine. The healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine know that our patients depend on us and the family medicine services we provide can have a substantial impact on their lives and wellbeing. To us, there is no such thing as a small or minor appointment. And based on the feedback we receive from our patients, it sounds like this level of dedication and care is more than appreciated. This is why we are honored to share some firsthand medical testimonials from our patients to show just how impactful our care can be.

“I always have a pleasant visit at all my appointments. I started with Dr. Abraham’s office when I first moved to Atlanta 20 years ago. They are just that good. I had no reason to change. At one location I lived at, the drive was an hour. When you find doctors that truly care about your health, are extremely knowledgeable, and have awesome bedside manners, you wouldn’t change either. My first doctor of several years retired. I’ve since been treated by two other doctors, and they all have compassion for their patient. Nurses and the front office were no different. At 71-years old now and retired, it keeps getting better.”

– Debra H. (Google)

“The staff were very friendly and efficient. Each practitioner/assistant introduced themselves and their role. The staff showed interest, listened and responded to my questions and concerns. I was very satisfied with my care and treatment plan. The environment was very clean. Although it was my first visit, I would recommend the practice based on the care I received.”

– Rachel B. (Google)

“My experience as a new patient at Dr. Abraham’s office was wonderful. The staff were friendly and the service was exceptional. The nurse practitioner was thorough and took the time to hear my concerns. The lab technicians were warmly attentive and gentle while drawing blood. I especially love the lobby with the beautiful fish tank and waterfall. I would definitely recommend Dr. Abraham.”

– Susan A. (Google)

Before we sign off, we just wanted to say thank you to all of our incredible patients who have left us such kind testimonials over the years. It means so much to our doctors, medical team, and staff to know that our work is appreciated this way. If you would like to leave us a review of your own, please visit us on Google, Healthgrades, or Vitals. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

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.

Fact or Myth: Better Understanding Heart Disease

heart-icon-with-stethoscopeWe all know that heart disease is incredibly common, and that it is the leading cause of death for adults in the US. But there’s also a lot about the condition that many people don’t know, or at least don’t fully understand. Heart disease is complex and can affect different people in different ways. That’s why it’s so important to get your information on the subject from a trusted source, like the expert healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine. In honor of American Heart Month this February, we thought it would be appropriate to separate fact from fiction when it comes to a few common statements about heart disease.

Heart Disease Only Affects Older People

This is a myth. The truth is that young and middle-aged people can also develop heart issues including cardiovascular disease, especially as related health conditions like obesity and Type 2 diabetes become more prevalent among younger people. Additionally, lifestyle choices that a person makes when they are younger can drastically affect their risk of developing heart disease later in life. Plaque can start building up in the arteries as early as childhood and adolescence.

A Heart Attack Can Occur Even Without Certain Common Symptoms

This is true. Not every heart attack is the same. While we commonly associate certain symptoms like chest pain and discomfort, there is such a thing as a heart attack with more mild or subtle symptoms. This can include difficulty breathing, feeling nauseous or lightheaded, and pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, or back. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical assistance at once in order to be safe.

A Family History of Heart Disease Means I Will Definitely Develop It

This is a myth. While it is true that having a parent or sibling with heart issues can increase a person’s risk of heart disease, coronary artery disease (the most common form of heart disease) is more linked to a person’s lifestyle than any genetic factors. Heart disease can be prevented by modeling heart-healthy behaviors like eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking. Even for people with a family history of the condition. Having a family history of heart disease does mean a person should be more vigilant and proactive when it comes to their heart health.

Heart health is no laughing matter and our hope is that our readers will take this information seriously and do what they can to promote heart health and wellness as the year goes on. This includes scheduling an annual wellness check-up with your healthcare provider to discuss what you can do to improve the state of your heart health. 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.

Happy Holidays From Abraham Family Medicine!

The holidays are here and we hope everyone is having a festive and relaxing season. There is so much to love about the holidays, and also so much to be thankful for. So in the spirit of the season, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine thought now would be a great time to share what we are most thankful for this year:

Our Patients

What more can we say? Our patients mean everything to us. It’s an immense honor for us to be able to provide our family medicine services to so many extraordinary people and build such lasting relationships with our patients and their families over the years. No matter the nature of the appointment, from a routine annual check-up to the diagnosis and treatment of the many acute health conditions we diagnose and treat such as heart disease and diabetes, we strive to provide the most compassionate and professional care possible.

Our Staff

Our medical team is the backbone of our practice. From Dr. Abraham and Dr. Goldie, to our incredible group of physician assistants, nurses and medical assistants, to our longtime practice administrator Stephanie, our providers and entire team work tirelessly for our patients and this hard work does not go unnoticed. So thank you to everyone whose dedication and energy makes Abraham Family Medicine what it is for our patients.

Our Testimonials

It’s been absolutely wonderful to see so many patients leave us such incredibly kind and thoughtful reviews over the past year. We certainly don’t take this time and effort for granted. Receiving these firsthand medical testimonials from our patients is crucial for both helping new patients find us, and helping us know whether or not we are reaching our standard as healthcare providers. Our pledge is to always be there for our patients, and it’s been amazing to see how many of you have taken the time to be here for us this year!

We hope all of our patients have a terrific holiday season and we can’t wait to see everyone for another great year in 2024! 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.

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