Real Integrative Medicine with Dr. Jordan Robertson ND – Details, episodes & analysis

In this compelling episode of the Real Integrative Medicine podcast, host Dr. Jordan Robertson dives into her personal battle with a mysterious skin condition that eluded diagnosis for weeks. Dr. Robertson recounts experiencing severe allergic reactions characterized by hives, welts, and blistering rashes on her forearms. When traditional treatments like antihistamines, prednisone, and cortisone creams failed to provide relief, Dr. Robertson's journey took a complex turn. Amid diagnoses ranging from hives to severe poison ivy, she found herself at a frustrating standstill.

Highlighting the complexities of diagnosing skin conditions (or any medical condition) and the mental toll it can take, Dr. Robertson eventually adopted a "wait and see" approach. But against initial advice, her persistence led to comprehensive lab testing, resulting in a surprising diagnosis: celiac disease presenting as dermatitis herpetiformis.

This episode provides an insightful look into the diagnostic challenges in healthcare, the importance of self-advocacy, and the delicate balance integrative medicine practitioners must maintain between patient expectations and clinical evidence. Dr. Robertson’s story underscores the significance of patience, follow-up, and adopting a broad yet evidence-based approach to uncover the root causes of elusive medical conditions.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the strategies behind watchful waiting, the value of reassessment, and the consumer-driven aspects of integrative healthcare. Tune in for an inspiring journey from uncertainty to resolution and get a unique perspective on the interconnections between skin reactions and systemic health issues like celiac disease.

Welcome to Real Integrative Medicine, formerly known as Women's Health Unplugged, hosted by Dr. Jordan Robertson. This podcast delves into the intricate intersection of behavior change, mindset, and traditional medical therapies, providing both patients and clinicians with the tools they need for healthcare success.

In a world crowded with conflicting health information, Real Integrative Medicine aims to demystify and deconstruct these complexities, offering evidence-based insights and practical strategies. Each episode explores pivotal themes such as behavioral modification, mindset shifts, goal setting, and compliance in medicine. We tackle the toughest questions, confront cognitive biases, and discuss the real-world challenges faced by both practitioners and patients.

Our rebranding to Real Integrative Medicine reflects a broader focus on holistic health management, moving beyond hormonal health to address a wider array of medical topics. Dr. Robertson brings her expertise in integrative medicine to the forefront, critiquing the lack of standardized care and advocating for a universal playbook to guide practitioners in delivering consistent, patient-centered treatment.

Listeners are invited to join Dr. Robertson in an intimate and motivational dialogue that covers innovative health strategies, the latest trends in medical literature, and personal wellness practices such as gratitude and journaling. By integrating behavior change, mindset, and medical therapy, Real Integrative Medicine provides a comprehensive approach to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Tune in to Real Integrative Medicine to stay informed, inspired, and empowered on your health journey. Join us in both audio and video formats as we share valuable insights and engage in meaningful conversations over the coming weeks.

Today’s episode was brought to you by the Modern Menopause Summit. With over 40 topics covered, you need to be there!. You can register for your free ticket here. 

In today’s episode, I share the mic with my friend and colleague, Dr. Dolores Fernandez, a Naturopathic Doctor and the owner of Iris personal care products (lube and vaginal moisturizer!)

We talk about the importance of getting connected with vulvovaginal health, how skin is skin is skin and why you need to understand “normal” so you can pay attention to changes. 

IRIS is offering 20% off to women's health unplugged listeners for 1 month after the podcast airs. Use code WHU20 at checkout at www.lovemyiris.com. IRIS is one of our sponsors for the Modern Menopause summit and Dolores shares even MORE information about vaginal health in this special online event.   

Here’s a summary of what we discussed: 

Diagnosing and Treating Gynecological Dermatology Conditions

Takeaway: There is a gap in the healthcare field between gynecology and dermatology, leading to challenges in diagnosing and treating conditions specifically related to vulvar and vaginal health. Specialists often focus narrowly on their area, which can result in missed or misdiagnosed conditions that require a broader interdisciplinary understanding.

Importance of Vaginal Health Awareness

Takeaway: There is a notable deficiency in the general awareness of vaginal health issues across different life stages. Education and open discussion are crucial in recognizing symptoms, avoiding misdiagnosis, and promoting overall vaginal health to ensure proper care and treatment.

Education on Lubricant Products

Takeaway: Lubricants vary widely in quality, and there is a lack of regulation and standardization, which underscores the need for education on the chemistry and quality of personal care products. Understanding key aspects like pH balance, preservatives, osmolarity, and ingredients contribute to making informed choices and preventing adverse reactions.

The Evolving Needs of Vaginal Care

 Takeaway: Women should consider the evolving nature of their vaginal care needs as they age and stay informed about the latest science and product developments. It is imperative for women to adapt their care regimen in response to changes in their bodies to maintain optimal vaginal health.

Normalization and Stigma Reduction in Vulvar Health

Takeaway: Breaking down the stigma and fostering an environment where conversations about vulval health are normalized is essential. Knowledge of one's own anatomy, being vigilant to symptoms, and discussing experiences can encourage a supportive atmosphere, leading to better healthcare outcomes and advancements in research and education related to vulval and vaginal health.

Everyone is touched by Menopause in one way or another. 

It might be you, your partner or your mother. 

Over the last year, I've been working on a project with 25 of the industry's best menopause practitioners to bring you a week-long, completely free event to help you learn about the most recent science around supporting people in menopause. 

We'll be covering concepts from HRT to weight gain, from mood and sleep to cardiovascular health. It will be a complete one-stop experience to help you gain confidence (and feel hopeful) about this stage of life. 

You can register for the event for free here. I'm incredibly proud to host these women who are standing up for better menopause care (that extends beyond a prescription). 

If you have a friend in this stage of life, forward them this email. Seeing each of these practitioners individually wouldn't even be possible! We've brought them together to share their expertise and gift you the resources you need to have a healthy menopause transition. 

Whether you're in your 40s and wondering what's coming or in your 60s and wondering what's next, this event will support you to have the most Modern Menopause possible. 

I hope you are well and look forward to sharing with you at this premier event. 

In today's podcast, we discuss the evidence for changing mammogram guidelines to include women in their 4th decade (40-50). I open with a new promise to bring you more authentic conversations on evidence (and more calling out of the bs online). We also talk about how to make decisions about screening for yourself (and why we are in favour of the breast cancer screening guidelines).

I hope you enjoy the episode. Remember to leave a review after listening so we can reach more women like you. 

Here's an AI-Generated summary of what we talked about in today's episode: 

• Understanding Screening Tests:

  • Screening tests aim to detect diseases early in large populations.
  • Effective screening tests must find diseases at a time when intervention can significantly alter outcomes.

• Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines:

  • Recent guideline changes focus on early detection, especially in younger women.
  • The new age bracket (40-50 years) is targeted due to the aggressive nature of breast cancer in premenopausal women.

• Addressing Misconceptions and Fears:

  • Common myths about mammograms causing breast cancer are debunked.
  • Emphasis on the goal of screening: early detection to save lives, not to cause harm.

• The Role of Mammograms:

  • Mammograms are selected for breast cancer screening due to their accessibility and safety.
  • The podcast clarifies the difference between diagnostic tests and screening tests.

• Critiquing Alternative Screening Methods:

  • Discussion on the lack of evidence supporting alternative methods like thermography.
  • Stress on the importance of relying on scientifically proven screening methods.

• Importance of Evidence-Based Screening:

  • Screening is based on population statistics and the greater good, not individual cases.
  • Encouragement to view public health recommendations within the context of overall population benefit.

• What to do next:

  • Listeners are encouraged to critically assess health information, especially regarding breast cancer screening.
  • Importance of making health decisions based on scientific evidence and personal values.

"What supplements do you take, Jordan?"

This is one of the most common questions I get asked on social media. I will give you the answer, but we will also talk about why you're asking in the first place. 

Wellness behaviours and nutrition have this weird space in medicine where we expect to get our answers online, our advice from friends or our hairstylist and personalized recommendations from an Instagram post. We're going to dive into this and look at why we want validation, hope, and an illusion of safety when we see someone else doing something. 

I also share with you my current and past list of supplements. I share how I made the decision to take them, what I expect the outcomes to be and what I've taken in the past. The episode's purpose is to help you feel hope that you can have a list curated for you that may help your symptoms. 

If you listen and realize you need help, our team of Doctors at Clarity Health is always ready to help residents of Ontario choose the 1-2 supplements that they need to support their health journey. You can submit a web inquiry at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca, and one of our team members will call you back. 

In this episode, we talk about 5 really simple strategies to improve your PMS that are absolutely FREE.

Hormonal health is an important area that is often poorly addressed in conventional care. Understanding and supporting your own PMS symptoms can give you back quality of life. 

In the episode we talk about

• What it means if you suddenly get PMS in your 40s. 
• The biggest pressure on your PMS in your life. 
• 5 free solutions that you can start today. 
• My personal strategies for dealing with PMS. 

If you loved the episode, share it with a friend and be sure to write us a review. 

This episode is about the first period. Many of you have young pre-menstruators and menstruators in your life who would benefit from you knowing the ins and outs of puberty and what to look for around that first period. 

Teens, unfortunately, often have their symptoms chalked up to a "normal teen experience," whether they have a delayed first period, significant acne or rapid changes to body weight. This isn't true, and rapid or extreme development of hormone symptoms often have an underlying hormone condition that should be assessed. 

Young people deserve an assessment if

• They are 15 with no period (whether they have breast development or not)
• They are 13 with no secondary sex characteristics at all. 
• They have rapid changes to their androgen symptoms (acne, body hair growth, body weight changes). 
• They miss their first period and play competitive sports, are petite or maybe eating below their energy needs. 

We cover how to think about each of these areas of health and when to push for assessment in your teen. 

If you need support and live in Ontario, reach out to us at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca and submit a web inquiry. Our clinicians work with all types of hormonal concerns in young people and run evidence-based testing (blood work). 

In this birthday episode, I'm sharing the things I'm noticing about myself as I turn 42 (like how sore I am every day mostly) and talking about the things I'm no longer tolerating about myself this year. 

We often hear the narrative of people over 40 "not tolerating any more bs" from others, but in my opinion, the buck needs to stop with me first. So I've created a list of things that I'm no longer doing. The list includes things like

• Judging Christmas lights
• Having fear about AI
• Not giving 100% in a few areas 
• Being apologetic for quitting something I'm really good at (this one will surprise you). 

I hope you enjoy the episode and it sparks some ideas for your own journey this year. I'm excited to be 42 and excited to keep working on my health. Thanks for being here along for the ride. 

I have a very exciting announcement coming up for those of you over 40 who are interested in hormone health. Stay tuned to the podcast. The announcement comes in February. 

This episode is about goal setting for 2024 and taking back the word "obsession" as a positive and aspirational trait that helps people actually achieve what they desire. 

Since the pandemic, we've had to create such high degrees of self-compassion that we've lost the ability to pursue a goal relentlessly. 

Is it bad if you miss a kid's event to stay the course on your gym goals?

Is it negative for your mental health if you choose a salad?

Is it a slippery slope to be obsessed with your goals?

In this episode, we take back the word "obsession" to mean something much more positive and talk through how to get obsessed with your health so you can get somewhere. 

This is our last episode of 2023. We wanted to leave you on a "goal-setting" track for the holiday season and to help you consider how you want your 2024 to turn out. 

See you in 2024!