Episode Summary

Autoimmune diseases impact over 24 million people in the U.S., yet many struggle for years without clear answers. From misdiagnoses to ineffective treatments, patients often feel lost in the system. In this episode of Fempower Health, Dr. Nicole Bundy, a board-certified internist and rheumatologist, and Dr. Millie Lytle, a naturopathic doctor and epidemiologist, break down the complexities of autoimmune disease. With their expertise from Mymee, they explore why autoimmunity is so challenging to diagnose, how lifestyle and medications impact healing, and what patients can do to advocate for themselves.

If you’ve been dismissed by doctors or are cycling through medications without real improvement, this episode is for you. Tune in to uncover the answers you need to regain control of your health.

Discussion Points:

• How common are autoimmune diseases, and why are they so difficult to diagnose?
• What are the first signs of autoimmune disease that people often miss?
• How does family history impact your risk of developing an autoimmune condition?
• What should you do if your doctor says they can’t help you?
• What type of doctor should you see for proper diagnosis and treatment?
• How do medications and lifestyle changes impact autoimmune disease management?
• What does the future of autoimmune disease research and treatment look like?

“If you find yourself routinely taking 3-5 medications just to get through your day (e.g., pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, antihistamines, sleep aid) for symptom control, that is a sign something is not in balance. Putting these band-aids on signals it is time to take a deeper look.” - Dr. Nikki Bundy

Resources:

• Resources and episodes on Autoimmune & Chronic Disease

• Resources and episodes on Mental Health

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About Dr. Millie Lytle

Dr. Millie Lytle is dedicated to innovatively preventing and reversing the epidemic of chronic disease. She earned her 4-year post grad ND from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and a Master's in Public Health (MPH) in Hamburg, Germany. In addition to 15 years of private practice, Millie is a published researcher and conference speaker. At Mymee, Dr. Lytle manages the coaching program, including all care delivery.

About Dr. Nikki Bundy

Dr. Bundy is passionate about improving care for autoimmune and other chronic diseases. She has 15+ years of experience as a practicing rheumatologist and clinical researcher, and is focused on developing innovative solutions that leverage the growing understanding of the role that lifestyle and diet play in the development and course of autoimmune disease. Her interest in functional medicine and preventative rheumatology come from her experience working with patients as well as personal struggles with her own health. At Mymee, Dr. Bundy sets clinical and research directions, supervises ongoing clinical studies, serves as a subject matter expert for a number of autoimmune diseases, and builds external collaborations with clinicians, researchers, and other key partners.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

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