Are you due for an annual exam?
No matter what your age or life stage, it is important to see your doctor each year. The focus of annual exams will change over time, but this visit always provides an opportunity for preventative screenings and a chance to ask questions regarding physical, emotional and sexual health as well as pregnancy, aging, menopause and any specific concerns.
Ask Sofia: Should I only take folic acid while pregnant?
While many women recognize the importance of folic acid during pregnancy, it is actually a vital nutrient for growth and development that is recommended for women throughout their life span. This B vitamin helps prevent birth defects in babies and it also helps our bodies make new cells.
Allie’s Corner: Autoimmune Diseases
You are probably already familiar with autoimmune diseases – where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues – such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriasis. They can affect multiple organs and produce signs and symptoms that range from fatigue to rashes to swelling to digestive issues, often making diagnosis difficult.
Aging and Metabolism
Metabolism slows as we age because of hormone imbalances (too much stress, too little sleep and elevated insulin can all contribute to less-than-optimal metabolism) as well as something called sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and increased percentage of fat stored in the body.
Patient Surveys: Why we do them and how you can help
If you’ve been to Clinic Sofia recently, you have received a patient satisfaction survey. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have completed the surveys and also share some information about how we use the information.
Ovarian Cancer Screenings
When ovarian cancer is found early, nearly 95 percent of patients live five years or longer after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society, yet only about 20 percent of cases are detected early. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so you might be seeing more people wearing teal and sharing the sometimes-subtle signs of ovarian cancer. These can include bloating, pelvic/abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency.
