Autoimmune diseases and allergies are no longer rare, they're becoming alarmingly common. Over the past few decades: Autoimmune diseases have increased by over 300% 1 in 3 people worldwide now live with allergies Childhood allergy rates have tripled in a single generation 90% of Sjögren's disease patients are women What used to be seasonal or mild reactions are now triggered by foods, fragrances, stress, heat, light, and everyday environments. So what changed? In this episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Dr. Kara Wada, a board-certified allergist and immunologist, to unpack why the immune system is reacting more aggressively to a world it once tolerated — and why women are being disproportionately affected. This conversation takes a deeper look at allergies, autoimmune disease, and Sjögren's syndrome, one of the most underdiagnosed systemic autoimmune conditions, often dismissed as "just dry eyes" or "dry mouth." 🎯 You'll uncover: ✅ The perfect storm driving rising immune dysfunction ✅ Why women and children are at higher risk ✅ The top contact allergens we're exposed to today ✅ Why Sjögren's disease is so often missed ✅ The two most common symptoms Sjögren's patients present with ✅ The most useful lab work and diagnostic tests to request ✅ Environmental and lifestyle risk factors we underestimate ✅ Protective strategies that reduce immune burden long-term ✅ Practical swaps to lower daily immune triggers We also explore how immune dysfunction connects to nervous system regulation, mental health, self-advocacy, and whole-body wellness — not just isolated symptoms. Whether you're a healthcare provider, wellness or nutrition professional, patient, parent, or someone curious about how allergies & autoimmune diseases work, this episode will help you see your health and your body more clearly. At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal brings you conversations at the intersection of healthcare innovation, longevity science, mental health, and self-advocacy, so you can understand the hidden systems shaping how you feel, move, and heal. 🎧 Tune in and join Dr. Meenal Agarwal as we reimagine what it means to be well in today's complex healthcare system. Because healing starts with understanding — and Uncovering Your Eyes. Learn more about Dr. Kara Wada at DrKaraWada.com, on YouTube @DrKaraWada, and on Instagram @ImmuneConfidentMD Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related