Clients come to me with a whole host of issues they are suffering from – including fatigue, difficulty losing or gaining weight, chronic constipation or diarrhea, feeling cold all the time, foggy brain, joint pain, food sensitivities, skin and gut health issues… and the list goes on!

Most people believe (or are even told by the medical profession), that these problems are normal as we age, so we resign ourselves to just living with these painful symptoms that disrupt our lives and make us want to hide away. The problem is that all of these can be signs that you are progressing down the path to an autoimmune disease.

Here’s some good news: these symptoms are not normal. Our body is telling us that something needs to change.

In fact, if you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, you may possibly be on, what Dr. Amy Myers calls the “Autoimmune Spectrum” in her book, The Autoimmune Solution. Being on this spectrum means that we’re “on the path to developing an autoimmune disease.”

Most autoimmune diseases are preventable. And for those who have been diagnosed with one, they really can get better, beyond just taking medication.

What is an Autoimmune Disease?

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines it as: “Autoimmune disease happens when the body’s natural defense system can’t tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells.”

There are more than eighty types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body parts. Some common autoimmune diseases are Hashimotos, Graves Disease, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac and Psoriasis.

So we have to ask ourselves, “What are we doing to put so much strain on our immune system that it starts attacking even healthy tissue?” And that is where a Functional Medicine Health Coach comes in.
As an Applied Functional Medicine Practitioner, I have been trained to work with my clients from a Functional Medicine perspective. I look for the root causes of a disease and then work with my clients to make the necessary adjustments in their lifestyle to bring about optimal health. There are four areas that can be addressed that will benefit everyone suffering from any type of ailment or discomfort.

In February I will be offering an online class to talk about these four areas in an effort to help people lower their risk of an autoimmun­e disease or experience great relief if they are already suffering from one. You can take actions that can dramatically change your health and life, and that of your family.

Learn more: Pathways-health.com

Dawn Mills

Dawn is an AFMC (Applied Functional Medicine Certified) Practitioner (https://afmccertification.com/)

She resides in Virginia and enjoys spending time with her 4 grown children and 13 grandchildren. Personal health challenges started her on a journey that led her to this field of study and ultimately coaching other people in addressing their own health challenges.  She applies the principles of Functional Medicine, finding the root cause of a disease dynamic, to her coaching, educating her clients and helping them make the lifestyle changes necessary for  addressing issues such as autoimmune disease, insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, gut health, and infertility. 

Dawn provides one-on-one coaching, coaching groups and classes.

Feel free to reach out with questions –  [email protected]