Dr. Zachary Spiritos on Medical Gaslighting & Women’s Health

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by neuro-gastro-immunologist, Dr. Zachary Spiritos, an incredible voice in the fight to make invisible illnesses seen, heard, and helped..

Together, we unpack some of the most maddening, misunderstood, and under-discussed challenges in healthcare today—especially for women and people living with chronic conditions. From gut issues to gender bias, from misdiagnosis to self-advocacy, this conversation is packed with clarity, and compassion.

In this episode, we talk:

🧠 What makes an illness “invisible”—and why they get dismissed

📉 Where the disparity in women’s health comes from

⚠️ The reality of medical gaslighting and how to respond

🥼 How to advocate for yourself in appointments, and have success!

💩 Why gut issues show up in so many chronic conditions—and what to do about it

Whether you’ve been dismissed by a doctor, told your symptoms are “in your head,” or just want to understand your body better—this one’s for you. You are not making it up. You are not alone. And you deserve care that actually cares. This episode left me full of hope - for my own health, and the future of women’s health.

Thanks for Calling in Sick with us 💛 xx, Alex

💬 Comment: Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling dismissed or doubted?

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 

00:02:15 Alex’s Picks Of the Week (IB Guard, Magnesium) 

00:03:45 Meet Dr. Zachary Spiritos & understanding neuro-gastro-immunology 

00:24:48 Where the disparity in women’s health comes from

00:29:00 The reality of medical gaslighting and how to respond 

00:44:33 How to advocate for yourself in appointments, and have success!

00:47:34 What’s next for Dr. Zachary Spiritos 

00:55:00 Dr. Zachary’s final recommendations

00:57:25 Thank you for listening!!! 

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#podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #zachspiritos #neurology #gastroenterology #immunology #selfadvocacy #medicalbias 

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