The Root Cause of Autoimmune Conditions (And Why Women Are Most Affected)
From Health Hacks by Dr. Jeni St. Onge, DC, CFMP and Tara Peterson
May 20, 2026 · 15 min
About this episode
This episode discusses the rise of autoimmune conditions, particularly in women, and explores the underlying imbalances that contribute to these health issues.
Autoimmune Conditions: Why They Happen (and Why Women Are Most Affected) Autoimmune conditions are on the rise—and if you’re dealing with symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, or hormone imbalances, you’re not alone. What many people don’t realize is that autoimmune conditions are not random. They are often the result of underlying imbalances in the body. At Thrive Functional Health, we take a root-cause approach to help uncover what’s really driving these conditions—and more importantly, how to support the body in healing. An autoimmune condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Instead of protecting you from harmful invaders, the immune system becomes dysregulated, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. https://www.thrivecfh.com/functional-medicine This can affect many areas of the body, including: Thyroid (Hashimoto’s, Graves’) Joints (Rheumatoid arthritis) Gut (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis) Skin (eczema, psoriasis) Autoimmune symptoms often develop gradually and may include: Chronic fatigueBrain fog Joint pain or stiffness Digestive issues (bloating, food sensitivities) Hormonal imbalances Skin issues Anxiety or mood…
People in this episode
Hosts: Dr. Jeni St. Onge, Tara Peterson
Topics covered
- autoimmune conditions
- women's health
- chronic inflammation
- root cause approach
- immune system dysregulation
Keywords
- autoimmune conditions
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- hormonal imbalances
- immune system
- inflammation
- women's health
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Thrive Functional Health
Places: Hashimoto’s, Graves’, Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, eczema, psoriasis
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