This is a very good question, and many people suffering with health problems are wondering if functional medicine can help them.  Our functional medicine doctors near Chicago are here to help with autoimmune disease and women.   The answer to this question is that functional medicine can treat many health problems and especially those of a chronic nature. If someone has been suffering from a health problem for several weeks, months or even years, then they are a good candidate for functional medicine.  Traditional medicine on the other hand is very good at treating acute conditions like sudden and severe infection or health problems that require emergency care or surgery.

The goal of functional medicine is to help the body recover from chronic health issues and maintain health at the highest level possible. That is why it’s called functional medicine; find out why the body is not functioning as it should and then support it so that is can. So there are really two key steps to this process; one is to determine WHY normal and healthy function has been compromised and step two is to determine HOW to help the body to heal and maintain health once again. Let’s look at these two steps in more detail.  Functional medicine gets to the root of the problem.  Learn more about women and autoimmune disease now.

Women and Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, with approximately 80% of those diagnosed being female, a phenomenon attributed to a combination of genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, immune system differences, environmental triggers, X chromosome inactivation, and psychosocial factors. Genetic susceptibility, hormonal fluctuations, and differences in immune response contribute to women’s increased risk. Environmental factors, such as infections and stress, may also play a role, alongside societal and psychosocial stressors unique to women.  Autoimmune disease effects millions of American each year and many people struggle with their quality of life.  Understanding these multifaceted influences is vital for developing tailored approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of autoimmune diseases in women.

Functional Medicine: A Drug Free Approach to Autoimmune Diseases

Naperville Integrated Wellness offers a drug-free approach to treating autoimmune diseases. By addressing underlying imbalances in the body’s systems, such as gut health, inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and nutrient deficiencies, Functional Medicine aims to modulate the immune response and restore balance. Through personalized treatment plans that may include dietary modifications, lifestyle interventions, stress management techniques, targeted supplements, and other holistic therapies, Functional Medicine seeks to alleviate symptoms, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. This integrative approach emphasizes identifying and addressing the root causes of autoimmune diseases, rather than simply managing symptoms with medication.  Learn more about our autoimmune disease treatment without drugs.

Autoimmune Disease and Womens Health

Autoimmune diseases significantly impact women’s health, with many conditions showing a higher prevalence among females. Women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases due to a combination of genetic predisposition, hormonal fluctuations, and environmental factors. These conditions can affect various aspects of women’s health, including reproductive health, menstrual cycles, pregnancy outcomes, and overall quality of life. Managing autoimmune diseases in women requires a comprehensive approach that addresses not only symptom management but also underlying factors contributing to the dysregulation of the immune system. By prioritizing early detection, personalized treatment plans, and holistic interventions, healthcare providers can help women effectively manage autoimmune diseases and improve their overall well-being.

Common Autoimmune Disease Symptoms For Women

Common autoimmune disease symptoms experienced by women include fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, fever, and general malaise. Women with autoimmune diseases often report symptoms such as skin rashes, hair loss, sensitivity to cold or heat, and unexplained weight changes. Additionally, autoimmune conditions frequently manifest with gastrointestinal issues like bloating, diarrhea, or constipation, along with cognitive symptoms such as brain fog, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. Women may also experience hormonal disturbances, including irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, or changes in libido. Emotional symptoms like depression, anxiety, and mood swings are also prevalent among women with autoimmune diseases. It’s important to note that symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific autoimmune condition and individual factors, so seeking medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

Why A Woman’s Body May Start To Lose Function?

It should first be established that if your body was functioning normally, you would not have a health problem. The goal of the human body is to maintain health and life. When function is compromised or reduced in any way, health begins to decline; health and function are synonymous. In most cases, a significant amount of normal function must be lost before you ever become aware of it. This is what we call a sign or symptom. Signs and symptoms like high blood pressure, migraines, digestion problems, depression and insomnia are simply “warning signs” from your body that it is struggling to maintain normal biological function. To put this another way, if you have a health concern, then your body is failing to maintain normal function.

This Process Takes Time

This deterioration of function does not normally occur overnight either; in most cases function has been slipping away for months if not years. Odds are, your health issues have not been troubling you for your entire life; so it makes sense that at some time in past your body did function the way that it should. So what changed? The answer to that is different for everyone and takes us back to step one mentioned above…WHY function has been lost. Many times function is compromised by the foods we eat, lack of key nutrients or the lifestyle choices we make. Whatever the cause, it is putting stress on the body; a stress that it is not able to cope with. This may sound oversimplified, but it’s true; if your body could handle whatever it was being subjected to, you would not have a health problem! Your body could handle it and function would not suffer.

Why do you have a health problem?

The Functional Medicine Difference

If that same person sought the care of a functional medicine doctor, they would also be diagnosed with migraines but further investigation would be carried out to determine why they were occurring. It may turn out that this person has a hormonal imbalance or a gluten intolerance or that they are not producing enough serotonin. Whatever is causing the migraines can then be addressed and not simply ignored and covered up with a medication. Taking the migraine medication may reduce the frequency or severity of the migraine headaches, but it does not address the underlying cause. Failure to identify and address the true cause of a health problem only makes you more susceptible to other health problems. If this person suffering from migraines has an underlying hormonal imbalance that is not addressed they may not only be susceptible to migraines but also to thyroid problems, reproductive organ dysfunction, autoimmunity, emotional instability or possibly certain forms of cancer. The point to be made here is this; not only should a diagnosis be made (if possible) but the underlying cause of the health issue should also be identified.

The second step of the functional medicine process is to determine HOW your body can be supported and returned to a state of normal function once again. This will be discussed the next week’s article What Can Functional Medicine Treat Part 2.

Schedule A Women’s Autoimmune Disease Specialist Appointment In Naperville

When consulting with an autoimmune disease functional medicine specialist as a woman, expect a thorough evaluation to identify root causes through detailed discussions and possibly specialized testing. Unlike traditional medicine, treatment focuses on holistic approaches tailored to address specific imbalances, including dietary adjustments, lifestyle interventions, supplements, and stress management. Throughout your care at Naperville Integrated Wellness, anticipate ongoing support and collaboration to empower you in managing your condition and optimizing your health.  If you’re in search of a functional medicine doctor in Aurora, Frankfort, Mokena, Chicago or Geneva, reach out to us today! For further details about Dr. Sharon Borkowski, Dr. Sexton or Integrative wellness, feel free to contact our office or visit napervilleintegratedwellness.com.

Engage in thorough research, empower yourself with knowledge, and be proactive in asking questions. When gathering information, it’s crucial to critically evaluate the source. In today’s healthcare landscape, misinformation abounds, ranging from false and misleading data to entirely biased perspectives, and this can even come from sources traditionally considered reputable. Therefore, exercising discernment and skepticism is essential to ensure that the information you rely on is accurate and reliable.