Do you snore? Maybe. Does someone you love snore? You can answer that more easily.

The answer can affect your health in surprising ways.

Loud snoring is a classic symptom of sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a big deal, and about half the people who have it . . . don’t know it.

Dr. Kraushaar loves the laughter and curiosity of kids. She’s a pediatric specialist who cares for children and adolescents in the Northfield Clinic, starting August 7.

“I enjoy working with families to provide the best possible care for their children during all the stages of growth and development,” Dr. Kraushaar says. “The best part of my job is working with children. There is always laughter and curiosity.”

It’s a return to Northfield for Dr. Kraushaar, who is a graduate of St. Olaf College.

Got travel plans for summer? Dr. Katherine Helgen offers tips on preparing before you go, to stay healthy while you travel:

Are your hands aching from yardwork and gardening?

Here’s some advice from certified hand therapist Kathy Heimer OTR/L, CHT:

“Your garden is not usually a dangerous place, but any time you work with your hands, there is a risk of injury or strain. A hand therapist can help with seasonal injuries – and with chronic conditions like arthritis or tendonitis.

“Hand therapists provide non-operative interventions, preventative care and post-surgical rehabilitation for a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions.

Spring is here! (Er, it’s coming . . . .) With warmer days ahead, think about adding exercise to your daily family routine. It’s a great way to establish healthy habits for life.

Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, improves mental health, reduces the risk of heart disease, increases muscle strength, and enhances overall well-being. A good goal is 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day. Even better: add some short, high intensity bursts of exercise.

First job? I was a basket boy at the Farmington pool across the street from my house. I was the guy who took your stuff to store in a basket while you swam. It was a short-lived job, and then I became a lifeguard. I liked being outside, and learning the skills to keep a safe environment.

Remember having chickenpox as a kid? It might strike again . . . as shingles.

Shingles is common: Almost 1 out of 3 Americans will get shingles in their lifetime – and adults 60 and older make up about half of all cases.

So, how do health professionals stay well when they’re exposed to germs all day? And what’s their advice for you? 

“I wash my hands . . . all the time!” – Becky, RN

Construction is now underway to expand downtown healthcare resources in the Sterling Pharmacy building on Division Street at 7th Street.

The building will house a new Express Care Clinic for Northfield Hospital + Clinics, delivering care for common illnesses with no appointment necessary in a convenient location and at convenient hours, including evenings and weekends.  

Eighty four million Americans have prediabetes. Are you one?

Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal (but not as high as type 2 diabetes). Prediabetes put you at increased risk of heart disease, and stroke as well as developing type 2 diabetes.

Because there are no clear symptoms of prediabetes, 90% who have it . . . don’t know it.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of these risk factors for prediabetes: