Summary
DISCLAIMER: Please consult your doctor before making any decisions that could impact your health
Chronic illness is on the rise in recent years and twenty-somethings are not immune!! Which is why I brought on Cindi Stickle, a coach for people diagnosed with chronic illnesses, to dive deep into this topic. During this episode Cindi and I define chronic illness, explain why it’s on the rise, how to treat your illness or prevent one from occurring, the role your family history plays in your health, and how to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system.
P.S. Schedule your doctors appointments and visit your local farmer’s markets
Key Takeaways:
- What a chronic illness is and why it’s on the rise in recent year
- What symptoms to be on the lookout for that might mean you have a chronic illness
- Foods that affect you is contingent on your unique body and chronic illness
- Ways to prevent chronic illnesses from surfacing in your body
- How to begin removing toxins in your environment without overwhelm
- Common name brands to steer clear of
- Apps to use for help with toxins in food and other household items
- The role family history plays in your chronic illness potential and prevention
- How chronic illnesses impact your mental health
Should I get lab work done in my 20s if I feel healthy?
Yes — getting a baseline (thyroid levels, A1C, etc.) while you feel fine gives you something to compare against later. Cindi’s husband didn’t know he was diabetic until his A1C hit 12.1 and he ended up hospitalized; a baseline years earlier would’ve caught it long before it became an emergency.
What's the difference between "normal range" and what actually feels good in my body?
Lab ranges are population averages, not a guarantee of how you’ll feel. Cindi’s TSH needs to sit near the very low end of “normal” for her to feel okay, even though it’s technically within range. Her advice: track your own symptoms against your numbers rather than assuming “normal” automatically means “fine for you.”
How do I make my diet or household products healthier without it being overwhelming?
One swap at a time, only replacing something when it runs out, rather than overhauling everything at once. She frames overwhelm as the main reason people quit — small sustainable swaps (a cleaner detergent, one ingredient at a time) beat an all-at-once purge.
Related Episodes
Ep. 36 Creating Your Healthy Foundation
Ep. 47 How’s your gut? with Mia Cedillo
Ep. 49 Hormones 101 with Rachel Hoeppner
Ep. 44 YOU vs Alcohol
Ep. 4 Sleep: Your Key To A Successful life