Head to Toe by Alomere Health

Believe it or not, incontinence and prolapse are two of the most common conditions Dr. Sarah Sprengeler sees in her OB-GYN office at Alomere—and they’re also some of the least talked about. In this episode, Dr. Sprengler breaks down why so many women suffer in silence with these conditions, and why they don't have to.Learn what prolapse and incontinence actually are, what causes them, and how hormones, childbirth, and lifestyle all play a role. Dr. Sprengler walks through the full range of treatment options, from pelvic floor physical therapy and pessaries to surgical procedures, medications, and newer treatments like Bulkamid.You'll walk away understanding when it's time to see a doctor and why asking "is this normal?" is always worth doing. Whether you're experiencing symptoms yourself, approaching menopause, or just want to understand your body better, this episode offers the kind of honest, practical information that can make a real difference in your quality of life.Listen now — and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-5123 or use MyChart to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sprengeler or one of our other OB-GYNs.Note: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what’s right for you. If you’ve got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.

In Part Two of our Joint Replacement series, we talk with Angie Miller, Alomere Health Joint Care Coordinator in Alexandria, MN. Angie guides patients through their entire journey, and she’s got great insights and advice for you. If you're ready to pursue a joint replacement, contact Heartland Orthopedic Specialists at (320) 762-1144 or visit heartlandorthopedics.com to schedule your consultation.QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODEWhat does a Joint Care Coordinator do and how do they support patients?What signs indicate joint pain is serious enough to consider surgery?What non-surgical treatments should people try before joint replacement?What happens in the mandatory pre-op education class?What is the role of the "coach" in the joint replacement process?How should patients prepare their homes for recovery?What's the difference between partial and total knee replacement?Why are some patients able to go home the same day as surgery?How does pain management work during and after surgery?When does physical therapy begin and how intensive is it?When can patients return to everyday activities like driving, cooking, and showering?What equipment might patients need at home during recovery?How long do joint replacements typically last?What activities should be avoided after joint replacement?Note: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what's right for you. If you've got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.*

In this episode, you’ll hear directly from Dr. Aaron J. Balgaard, General Orthopedic Surgeon at Heartland Orthopedics in Alexandria, MN, as he shares what to expect, what role robots are playing in today’s joint replacement surgeries, and much more. You'll learn about recovery timelines, pain management strategies, and why patience is just as important as physical therapy in getting the best long-term results from your joint replacement. If you're ready to pursue a joint replacement, contact Heartland Orthopedic Specialists at (320) 762-1144 or visit heartlandorthopedics.com to schedule your consultation with Dr. Balgaard or another orthopedic specialist.QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODEWhat exactly is joint replacement surgery and which joints are most commonly replaced?What are the most common reasons people need joint replacements?When should someone consider having a joint replacement?How does robotic-assisted (Mako) joint replacement work, and how is it different from a traditional surgery?Is robotic surgery the right choice for everyone?What can patients expect on the day of surgery and during recovery?When can patients return to activities like golfing?How long do joint replacements typically last?What questions should someone ask their doctor when considering joint replacement?Note: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what's right for you. If you've got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.*

Opioid use disorder affects thousands of Minnesotans every year, yet stigma and misunderstanding often prevent people from seeking the help they need. In this honest, hope-filled conversation, Dr. Allison Juba shares her personal connection to this issue and explains how medication-assisted treatment is saving lives in our community.Dr. Juba breaks down the difference between physical dependence and addiction, explains the three evidence-based medications available for treatment, and describes how Alomere’s approach treats opioid use disorder like any other chronic medical condition—with compassion, evidence-based care, and without judgment.Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand this critical health issue better, this episode offers practical information and hope. Dr. Juba’s expertise and personal experience provide a perspective that could be life-changing for someone who needs to hear that help is available and recovery is possible.This conversation removes the mystery and shame around opioid use disorder treatment, emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Listen now—and then visit our Medication-Assisted Treatment webpage to get the names of Alomere Health providers who offer this treatment. Call Alexandria Clinic at 320-763-5123 or visit alomerehealth.com and use MyChart to schedule an appointment with Dr. Juba or another provider who specializes in treating substance use disorders.Resources and ToolsHere are the resources Dr. Juba mentions in this episode:Region Four Crisis Services988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineThrive Behavioral Health NetworkAl-Anon Family SupportLearn more about Alomere’s Medication-Assisted Treatment programNote: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what’s right for you. If you’ve got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.“By providing those medications in a more accessible place like the clinic, you can get patients to come in more regularly and get them the healthcare they previously hadn’t been getting.”

Anyone can struggle with mental health, but men often face unique challenges when it comes to recognizing symptoms and seeking help. In this no-nonsense conversation, Dr. Tony Lussenhop breaks down the barriers that can keep men from getting the support they need.Whether you’re dealing with persistent fatigue, trouble sleeping, or you just don’t feel like yourself, this episode offers practical insights into depression and anxiety—two of the most common (and treatable!) mental health conditions. Dr. Lussenhop explains why symptoms like these aren’t signs of weakness, but medical conditions that respond well to treatment.You’ll walk away understanding the real symptoms to watch for (hint: it’s often not what you’d expect), how to take those first difficult steps toward getting help, and why seeking treatment is actually one of the strongest things you can do—for yourself and the people who care about you.This conversation could change how you think about mental health, and more importantly, it might just encourage you to take action if you’ve been struggling in silence.Listen now—and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-6000 or use MyChart to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to get back to feeling like yourself again.Resources and ToolsHere are the resources Dr. Lussenhop mentions in this episode:Online screening tools Mental health resourcesRegion Four Crisis ServicesNote: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what’s right for you. If you’ve got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.“It’s not something you can ignore any more than you can ignore your chest pain or your unrelenting headache.”

Are you considering breastfeeding? Wondering if it’s right for you? Curious about the pros and cons? Listen in on this personal conversation with Chillon McKibbin, one of our lactation consultants at Alomere, as she talks about what breastfeeding can do for you and your baby—and what to expect when you get started.Whether you’re planning to exclusively breastfeed, pump, supplement with formula, or try a combination approach, this episode provides the supportive, judgment-free guidance you need. Chillon offers practical, compassionate advice that takes the mystery out of breastfeeding. You’ll walk away feeling more confident and informed, with real-world insights from a lactation consultant and midwife who has supported thousands of mothers through their unique breastfeeding journeys. Tune in for an honest, helpful conversation that will prepare you for an extraordinary part of being a mother.Listen now—and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-5123 or use MyChart to schedule your personal consult with Chillon or one of our other lactation consultants. Resources and ToolsHere are links to the resources Chillon mentions in this episode:Alomere Health Prenatal ClassLa Leche LeagueBreast Milk DonationsLearn more about Chillon Note: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what’s right for you. If you’ve got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.

If you’ve struggled to get pregnant, or you know someone who has, you understand what a difficult journey it can be. This episode offers an intimate and informative conversation with Dr. Rebecca Docken, an OB/GYN at Alomere who shares her personal experience with fertility challenges and her passion to help women give birth to healthy babies.Dr. Docken shares some of the most common causes of infertility, she breaks down some of the most common myths, and she covers the basics on a range of treatment options, including the costs involved. Hosted by Becca Lillemon, this episode offers hope, practical information, and a reminder that fertility struggles are common and treatable. This is a must-listen for anyone experiencing or supporting someone through fertility challenges.Listen now—and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-5123 or use MyChart to schedule your personal consult with Dr. Docken or one of our other OBGYNs. Note: Head to Toe podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical advice is unique to each individual. Talk with your health care provider to see what’s right for you. If you’ve got an urgent health need, please schedule an appointment or visit the Alexandria Clinic Express Care today. If this is an emergency, dial 911.

For years, women suffered silently from a wide range of symptoms caused by hormonal changes before and during menopause without much support—and many of these symptoms are quite debilitating. Dr. Heinrich is passionate about supporting women through this stage of life, many of whom don’t even realize what’s causing their symptoms. Learn what to expect during perimenopause, what age to expect it, and what kinds of support are available. Doctors have a better understanding of how to help women these days, and Dr. Heinrich covers all the options available.Listen now—and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-5123 or use MyChart to schedule your personal consult with Dr. Heinrich or one of our other OBGYNs.Resources and ToolsHere are links to the resources Dr. Heinrich mentions in this episode: Patient Education | The Menopause Society Women Have Been Misled About Menopause – The New York Times Dr. Mary Claire Haver – YouTube Dr. Gabrielle Lyon – YouTube

How does a visit to the ER at Alomere compare to an episode of Grey’s Anatomy? Dr. Mitteness answers this and other burning questions you might have about the ER. Find out what it means to have Minnesota’s busiest Level III Trauma Center, right here in Alexandria, in our latest episode of Head to Toe. Dr. Mitteness will run you through what to expect when you arrive at the ER, what to bring with you when you go, how to prevent ending up in the ER in the first place, and more.As Alomere’s Chief Medical Officer, with 21 years of military service, Dr. Mittness paints a clear picture of why Alexandria residents are in such good hands at the Alomere emergency department.Listen now—and then call 320-763-5123 or visit the Get Care page to schedule your annual checkup with your primary care physician.

Did you know midwives do a lot more than just deliver babies? In this episode, we bust some myths about midwives—and reveal some surprising things you might not have known about what these practitioners can do for you.Becca Lillemon talks with Samantha Aabel, one of our certified nurse midwives, about the kind of care she does (and does not) provide. Whether you’re trying to get pregnant, entering menopause, or anywhere in between, this episode will show you your options!Listen now—and then call Alomere Health at 320-763-5123 to schedule your personal consult with Samantha Aabel.

Eddie Reif asks Dr. Medway all the tough questions about vasectomies, including how much they cost, how much they hurt, what kind of failure rate they have, and whether they cause erectile dysfunction or prostate cancer. If you’ve been thinking about a vasectomy, this is an easy way to get all your questions answered!Listen now—and then call Alexandria Clinic at 320-763-5123 to schedule your personal consult with Dr. Medway.