General Wellness

If the scale isn’t exactly reflecting your healthy lifestyle these days, you might be wondering “why?”

“Why am I gaining weight?” is a loaded question with many potential answers. Some women gain weight during menopause when the metabolism begins to slow down while others see the scale tick up due to medication for depression and anxiety, stress and stress hormones, lack of sleep, digestive issues, eating too much sugar or not enough lean protein, and distracted eating, among others.

In response to growing demand and interest, Clinic Sofia is pleased to welcome two new doctors to our team and family. In addition to Dr. Deborah Krahl, who joined Clinic Sofia earlier this month, Dr. Erin Smith and Dr. David Clay will both begin seeing patients in August.

Unless you are pregnant, you likely see your OB-GYN about once a year. Rather than thinking of this appointment as just one more item on your to-do list, consider it an opportunity to ask open-ended questions, to consult with an expert in the field, and to support your long-term health and wellness.
With that in mind, it only makes sense to come to your next appointment prepared. Take the time to organize a list of questions or concerns for your doctor, in order to get the most out of your annual visit.

As we enjoy some of the longest days and shortest nights of the year, you and your family might also be struggling through some shorter-than-normal and shorter-than-needed nights of sleep. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that preschool age children receive 11-12 hours of sleep, while school-age children get at least 10, with 9-10 hours for teens and 7-8 hours for adults. An early and regular bedtime might be easy when November rolls around, but bright rooms and warm evenings can make it a real challenge during summer months.

That “gut” feeling is more than just intuition – the health of your body often starts and ends there.

“Your gut health influences a lot more than just digestion, it affects your entire body. Believe it or not, a healthy gut contains a diverse and balanced ecosystem of more than 100 trillion microorganisms where bacterial cells outnumber human cells 10 to 1,” said Allie Nowak, physician assistant at Clinic Sofia who is currently completing a program in functional medicine.

We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Deborah Krahl to our staff. She joins Clinic Sofia with more than 20 years’ experience as an OBGYN in the Twin Cities’ area and will begin seeing patients at our Edina location as of July 5. In the meantime, we want to share some fun facts to help you get to know her. Please be sure to say hello to her when you see her in the Edina office!