Becoming Immune Confident

Have you ever wondered if there's a connection between mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and Sjogren's? 🤔 In this episode of the Becoming Immune Confident Podcast, Dr. Kara Wada explores the fascinating world of mast cells, those "allergy cells" that have been with us since prehistoric times! She breaks down the mysteries of MCAS, explaining what mast cells are, how they can misbehave, and the possible overlaps between MCAS and Sjogren's. Dr. Wada, an allergist-immunologist and someone living with Sjogren's, shares her clinical insights and observations, even though research on the direct link between these two conditions is still in its early stages. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how MCAS might be playing a role in your Sjogren's journey and how to approach your doctor with concerns about MCAS. EPISODE IN A GLANCE01:18 Introduction to Mast Cell Activation and Sjogren's02:35 Understanding Mast Cells06:05 Mast Cells and Allergic Reactions11:31 Mast Cell Disorders and Misbehaviors17:58 Clinical Approach to Mast Cell Activation20:01 Treatment and Management Strategies21:22 Potential Triggers and Patient Guidance24:22 Emerging Treatments and Researc25:44 Conclusion and Community Engagement ABOUT DR KARA WADAQuadruple board-certified pediatric and adult allergy immunology & lifestyle medicine physician, Sjogren’s patient and life coach shares her recipe for success combining anti-inflammatory lifestyle, trusting therapeutic relationships, modern medicine & our minds to harness our body’s ability to heal. CONNECT WITH DR WADAWebsite → https://www.drkarawada.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/becomingimmuneconfident/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD Twitter → https://twitter.com/CrunchyAllergy TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@immuneconfident SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER → https://www.drkarawada.com/newsletter Get Dr. Kara’s weekly dose of a naturally-minded and scientifically-grounded approach to immune system health. Join the "Sjogren's Superpowers Activated" Challenge Waitlist! → www.drkarawada.com/sjogrens-28day-challenge Based on the incredible feedback from our first round, it's back for round 2 this October. Join the waitlist now and snag a special early bird discount.

Have you ever been told your pain is "just medical student anxiety?" Or faced a diagnosis during a stressful time like medical school? This week, we're diving into the experience of medical student and advocate, Stephanie Moss, and how she navigated chronic illness, medical gaslighting, and even a leave of absence from her medical education. In this episode, Dr. Kara Wada sits down with Stephanie Moss, a fourth-year medical student and advocate, to discuss her journey with chronic illness, navigating medical school with a diagnosis, and how she found strength and confidence in her resilience. Stephanie shares her experience with medical gaslighting, the importance of finding support and advocating for yourself, and how her leave of absence from medical school, while challenging, ultimately empowered her to develop valuable tools and strategies for managing chronic pain. EPISODE IN A GLANCE00:39 Meet Stephanie Moss: Trauma-informed Advocate and Activist03:01 Stephanie's Chronic Illness Diagnosis and Perspective Shift04:55 Medical Gaslighting and Power Dynamics in Healthcare08:20 The Power of the Placebo Effect and Human Connection09:20 Failing a Major Exam and Advocating for Accommodations13:30 Taking a Leave of Absence and Overcoming Challenges18:29 Tools for Managing Chronic Pain20:42 Reframing Exercise as a Practice of Love and Kindness22:56 Advice for Students Facing Similar Challenges25:00 Becoming Immune Confident: Building Confidence in Body and Resilience26:59 Connect with Stephanie Moss ABOUT STEPHANIE MOSS, MDStephanie Moss is a trauma-informed advocate, health disparities activist, Endometriosis and Infertility warrior, and a 4th year Medical Student pursuing her Medical Doctorate (M.D.) at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Through her lifelong dedication to diversity, health equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) she has striven to be a voice for marginalized communities. She is a part of the Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP), TightLipped medical team, is on the Infertility Committee at American Medical Women's association (AMWA), and serves on the International Society of Study of Women's Sexual Medicine (ISSWSM) Advocacy committee. During COVID she co-founded the Chicago Homelessness and Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE). Stephanie shares her experiences through her narrative medicine writing and public speaking, with her work being featured on notable platforms such as MedPageTody, The Endometriosis Foundation, KevinMD, Doximity, and American Medical Women's Association (AMWA). CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE MOSS, MDWebsite → https://medpsycmoss.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-e-moss/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/medpsycmoss YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Ypzlapvju3XZ-8rgjF8Vw Twitter → https://x.com/medpsycmoss ABOUT DR KARA WADAQuadruple board-certified pediatric and adult allergy immunology & lifestyle medicine physician, Sjogren’s patient and life coach shares her recipe for success combining anti-inflammatory lifestyle, trusting therapeutic relationships, modern medicine & our minds to harness our body’s ability to heal. CONNECT WITH DR WADAWebsite → https://www.drkarawada.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/becomingimmuneconfident/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD Twitter → https://twitter.com/CrunchyAllergy TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@immuneconfident SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER → https://www.drkarawada.com/newsletter Get Dr. Kara’s weekly dose of a naturally-minded and scientifically-grounded approach to immune system health.

Did you know that air pollution can increase the effects of allergies threefold? Imagine a world where you could paint your way to cleaner air. Dr. Kara Wada sits down with Dr. Tanya Rogers, a NASA engineer with a passion for sustainability, to discuss her journey from space exploration to launching a company dedicated to carbon capture. Dr. Rogers shares her story of navigating a demanding career path while also facing chronic health challenges, inspiring listeners to embrace acceptance and prioritize self-care. We explore the link between climate change and our immune health, highlighting the critical role of individual action in creating a healthier future. EPISODE IN A GLANCE00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tanya Rogers, NASA engineer and CEO of The People's CO202:52 The connection between climate change and immune health04:11 Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with chronic illness06:56 The unexpected ways Dr. Rogers' health journey has impacted her leadership09:43 Staying motivated through challenging work12:54 The long-term goals for The People's CO213:55 The power of starting small and making safer swaps16:20 The importance of collective action and finding your genius zone21:05 How to connect with Dr. Rogers and support her work22:00 Dr. Rogers' perspective on becoming immune confident ABOUT DR. TANYA ROGERSDr. Tanya Rogers is a NASA engineer and co-founder of The People’s CO2, a woman-led started focused on fighting climate change through citizen empowerment. CONNECT WITH DR. TANYA ROGERS & THE PEOPLE'S CO2Website → https://www.thepeoplesco2.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/peoplesco2 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565170804108 ABOUT DR KARA WADAQuadruple board-certified pediatric and adult allergy immunology & lifestyle medicine physician, Sjogren’s patient and life coach shares her recipe for success combining anti-inflammatory lifestyle, trusting therapeutic relationships, modern medicine & our minds to harness our body’s ability to heal. CONNECT WITH DR WADAWebsite → https://www.drkarawada.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfident/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/becomingimmuneconfident/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD Twitter → https://twitter.com/CrunchyAllergy TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@immuneconfident SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER → https://www.drkarawada.com/newsletter Get Dr. Kara’s weekly dose of a naturally-minded and scientifically-grounded approach to immune system health.

We all know that movement is essential for health, but what if you're dealing with chronic pain? Many people feel limited, even discouraged, from embracing movement because of fear or past experiences.But what if that even with chronic pain, movement can be a source of joy and empowerment? In this week's podcast episode of the Becoming Immune Confident Podcast, Dr. Kara Wada had the pleasure of speaking with DK Ciccone, a certified Pilates instructor and author of "You're Meant to Move," who shares her personal journey of navigating chronic back pain and reclaiming her love of movement.DK emphasizes that our bodies are designed to move, and even with pain, we can find ways to engage in activities that bring us joy and support our well-being. She encourages us to shift our perspective on pain, exploring the role of the nervous system and how we can foster a deeper connection with our bodies.DK's inspiring message reminds us that movement is not just about achieving a certain aesthetic, but about cultivating a deeper sense of agency, self-compassion, and resilience. EPISODE IN A GLANCE01:40 DK Ciccone's Personal Journey with Chronic Pain04:35 The role of body image and diet culture in shaping our relationship with pain07:36 Unhelpful Messages and Misconceptions About Pain10:38 The Impact of Dismissive Medical Advice12:58 Holistic Approach to Pain Management17:53 Building Resilience and Managing Pain Flares24:45 Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Somatic Tracking28:39 Finding Joy in Movement30:49 Core Message of the book 'You're Meant to Move'33:07 Conclusion and How to Connect with DK Ciccone ABOUT DANA KAREN (“DK”) CICCONEDana Karen (“DK”) Ciccone is a certified Pilates instructor who helps people in pain improve strength, mobility, and well-being in a weight-neutral environment. She’s also trained in pain reprocessing therapy through the Pain Psychology Center. Having begun her own journey with chronic back pain as a young teen, she has been exploring ways to help herself and others regain joy of movement for decades. After twenty years in the health sector, DK left a corporate career to follow her passion, later launching Movement Remedies, a chronic pain–focused Pilates studio in Boston, Massachusetts. Her first book, You’re Meant to Move: A Guide to Conquering Chronic Pain, Increasing Stress Resilience, and Reclaiming an Active Life, was released December 2023. CONNECT WITH DANA KAREN (“DK”) CICCONEWebsite → https://movementremedies.org LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-karen-ciccone Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/movement_remedies/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/movement.remedies.llc/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@movementremediesllc Pick up a copy of DK Ciccone's book, "You're Meant to Move: A Guide to Conquering Chronic Pain, Increasing Stress Resilience, and Reclaiming an Active Life," available on Amazon. ABOUT DR KARA WADAQuadruple board-certified pediatric and adult allergy immunology & lifestyle medicine physician, Sjogren’s patient and life coach shares her recipe for success combining anti-inflammatory lifestyle, trusting therapeutic relationships, modern medicine & our minds to harness our body’s ability to heal. CONNECT WITH DR WADAWebsite → https://www.drkarawada.com/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfident/ Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/becomingimmuneconfident/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD Twitter → https://twitter.com/CrunchyAllergy TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@immuneconfident SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER → https://www.drkarawada.com/newsletter Get Dr. Kara’s weekly dose of a naturally-minded and scientifically-grounded approach to immune system health. JOIN THE 28-DAY Sjogren's Superpowers Activated Challenge: A Journey to Better Health and Unshakeable Confidence → https://www.drkarawada.com/sjogrens-28day-challenge