Dr. Tamika Henry is a family medicine physician who has always been interested in helping others. Growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and seeing the health struggles of her family members, she knew that medicine was her calling. However, after working in geriatric medicine and feeling like she was just reacting to problems instead of solving them, she stumbled upon the world of functional medicine. Functional medicine allowed her to ask the important question of “why” when it comes to health issues and take a more natural approach to treatment. Dr. Henry is now dedicated to helping her patients achieve optimal health through functional medicine and improving their overall well-being.
On this episode of Sparking Wholeness, Dr. Tamika Henry highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and wellness. She discusses the challenges of identifying prediabetes, diabetes, and gut issues, and emphasizes the need for lifestyle changes such as balanced eating, regular physical activity, and stress management. She also talks about her own experiences with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and how it inspired her to pursue medicine. Dr. Henry believes in taking a comprehensive approach to mental health and encourages small wins and positive self-talk. Finally, she stresses the importance of listening to your body, finding a healthcare team that works together, and aiming for optimal results. Tune in for valuable insights into improving your overall health and well-being!
Timestamped Overview:
[00:01:35] Dr. Tamika Henry emphasizes asking “why” before prescribing medication and taking a more natural approach. The discovery was made through attending conferences and reflecting on home remedies.
[00:06:02] The main health concerns in Dr. Henry’s patients today are gut health, diabetes, hormones (including thyroid), and mental health (anxiety and depression). Gut health is a common issue that leads to heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Diabetes patients prefer natural remedies and lifestyle changes to medication. Thyroid issues require proper lab testing. Mental health is affected by food and gut health. Everything is connected.
[00:15:45] Pre-diabetes and diabetes may not cause symptoms. Family history and lifestyle habits play a role in developing diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet with balanced meals, movement, and stress management can prevent metabolic syndrome and its associated conditions. Practicing grace and gratitude towards our body is important too.
[00:25:54] How the thyroid production process occurs not only in the thyroid but also in the liver and gut. Negative thoughts drain the energy of the body and brain inflammation causes mental fatigue. Rest is necessary for the HPA axis to repair. Positive thoughts and proper nutrition lead to personal improvement.
[00:28:57] Dr. Henry discusses how her JRA manifests in her body with the consumption of certain foods, and how being aware of one’s body helps in identifying and dealing with clinical manifestations. She advises considering various factors that may impact one’s well-being, including gut health, relationships, sleep, and stress.
Download and listen to this episode here or find wherever you get podcasts.