What We Treat
Autoimmune Disorders
A Root-Cause Approach to Autoimmune Health
At KALE Functional Medicine in Houston, we understand that autoimmune disorders represent one of the most complex and challenging areas of medicine. When your immune system mistakenly attacks your own healthy cells and tissues, the resulting inflammation and damage can manifest in countless ways throughout your body, leading to chronic symptoms and diminished quality of life.
Our functional medicine approach identifies and addresses the underlying factors that triggered your autoimmune response in the first place. By treating the root causes rather than just symptoms, we offer a comprehensive path to reducing inflammation, rebalancing your immune system, and potentially slowing or even reversing disease progression.
Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system fails to distinguish between your own healthy cells and harmful invaders like viruses or bacteria. This case of mistaken identity causes your immune system to produce antibodies that attack your own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage in affected areas of the body.
While conventional medicine often treats these as separate diseases based on the organs or tissues affected, functional medicine recognizes that they share common underlying mechanisms and contributing factors that can be identified and addressed.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Psoriasis
- Celiac disease
- Type 1 diabetes
The Autoimmune Triad
A Functional Medicine Perspective
Current research suggests that for autoimmune disease to develop, three key factors must typically be present – what some functional medicine practitioners call the “autoimmune triad”: a genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut).
Genetic Factors
While you can’t change your genetic makeup, your genes are not your destiny. Functional medicine focuses on how your environment and lifestyle influence gene expression – the process that determines which genes are activated or suppressed.
Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms
Various environmental factors can trigger or worsen autoimmune responses, including:
- Food sensitivities and allergies
- Toxin exposure
- Chronic infections
- Hormonal imbalances
- Chronic stress
- Nutrient deficiencies
Our comprehensive testing helps identify your specific triggers, allowing for personalized treatment protocols.
Gut Health and Intestinal Permeability
Perhaps the most crucial modifiable factor in autoimmune disease is gut health. Functional Medicine practitioners have long recognized that dysregulation of tight junctions, or intestinal permeability, can play a critical role in the development of autoimmune disease.
When your gut barrier becomes compromised (often called “leaky gut”), partially digested food particles, toxins, and microbes can enter your bloodstream, triggering immune reactions that may lead to or worsen autoimmune conditions.
Our process
The KALE Way
Ready to start your functional medicine journey?
Initial Consultation
Our approach begins with 30/60 minute long appointment where we dive deep into your health history and determine what testing may helps us understand your unique hormonal profile through. We have worked with thousands of women through these life stages to achieve whole-body wellness by targeting the root cause whether it’s hormone, gut, or nutrition-related.
Comprehensive Testing
Based on your consultation, we’ll recommend an individualized testing panel. Some tests can be performed in our office, while others may require laboratory visits or at-home collection kits.
Personalized Treatment Plan
After analyzing your test results, we’ll create a customized protocol addressing nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic interventions specifically designed for your needs.
Ongoing Monitoring
Addressing autoimmune disease is a journey, not a quick fix. Our approach includes regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress, adjust protocols as needed, and provide continuous support as your body heals.
The KALE Difference in Autoimmune Care
Focus on Prevention
For those with family history of autoimmune conditions or early warning signs, we offer preventative protocols to help reduce your risk of developing full-blown autoimmune disease. Learn more about our Preventative Health services
Comprehensive Testing
Our advanced functional medicine testing goes beyond standard lab work to identify key imbalances that conventional testing might miss, allowing for more targeted interventions.
Root Cause Resolution
Rather than simply suppressing symptoms, our goal is to identify and address the underlying factors driving your autoimmune condition, creating the potential for true healing.
Personalized Care
Every autoimmune patient is unique, which is why we develop fully customized protocols based on your specific test results, symptoms, and health goals.
Collaborative Approach
We work with you as an active participant in your healing journey, providing the education and support you need to implement lasting lifestyle changes.
Begin Your Healing Journey
If you’re struggling with an autoimmune condition and looking for answers beyond symptom management, our functional medicine approach offers a path to addressing the root causes of your condition and restoring balanced immune function.
Patient Success Stories
Wonderful experience with Nurse Bassett. No other GP has recommended additional labs or further tests for me and it has been years of anxiety and confusion. Grateful for an amazing staff that is willing to listen and try to get to the bottom of what the health issue is.
Lupita
Patient
Dr. Rowley is professional, relatable, and personable. I appreciate that she was a great listener and was patient in answering my questions. What’s more, I LOVE that I can contact her through telemedicine now!! Truly revolutionary experience in a doctor’s office!
Jess
Patient
After years of doctors giving up and offering no solutions for my complex medical history, I found Kale Functional Medicine. I have been working successfully with Ashley Roitsch to get to the root of my issues and have noticed significant improvement in my health.
Silva
Patient
