Functional medicine is a systems biology-based technique that aims to identify and treat a condition’s underlying causes rather than the symptoms. Functional medicine doctors work with you to understand how your environment, lifestyle choices, and genetic tendencies interact with your biology and influence your health.
This approach is gaining popularity in the medical community as personalized, preventive health care gains ground. Dr. David Perlmutter, a neuro gastroenterologist and author of Grain Brain, explains the global epidemic of chronic diseases and how nutritional practices can support our health.
How Does Functional Medicine Treat Disease?
Functional medicine is the future of healthcare. It’s a proactive and holistic approach to health, focusing on finding and treating the condition’s root cause rather than its symptoms.
Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses with drugs or surgery, functional medicine treats the whole person by looking at their genetic makeup, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures.
A cohort study of 7252 by the National Library of Medicine compared patients using functional medicine and those in primary care centers. The results showed significant improvement in patients using functional medicine than those in care centers. The study revealed that using these medications may have an overall beneficial impact on one’s health.
These medications are not always pharmaceuticals. They include supplements, botanicals, probiotics, or diet changes. Functional medicine aims to restore balance in your system so you experience improved health outcomes over time.
Is Functional Medicine Right for You?
Functional medicine is rising in popularity. It’s not a replacement for your traditional doctor, but it complements their work. Functional medicine is right for you if you have a condition that’s hard to manage or want to prevent disease before it starts. Work with a functional medicine practitioner to identify what areas of your life affect your health and make changes accordingly.
Functional medicine looks at how your body responds to stimuli like stress and diet and considers how genetic factors impact your health. It can help identify underlying causes of chronic illnesses that other medical professionals might miss.
Functional medicine may work for you if you have the following:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Digestive issues
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular
- Depression
- Asthma
- Alzheimer’s disease
What to Expect During Your First Appointment with a Functional Medicine Doctor?
The first appointment with a functional medicine doctor is typically longer than with a conventional doctor. They have specialized training to help them diagnose the root cause of a condition. They take time to get to know you and your health history and to help guide you on your journey to better health.
The functional medicine doctor asks you questions about your lifestyle habits, diet and activity levels, and medications or supplements you’re taking. They’ll also talk about your past or current health conditions that may be impacting your health.
They also perform an exam to check your blood pressure and heart rate and inspect your skin and nails for signs of nutrient deficiencies. Further, they can carry out blood tests and other diagnostic tests like CT scans or MRIs. This helps to evaluate an underlying problem that may be causing symptoms like pain or sleep-related issues.
Doctors use these test results to determine if there are underlying conditions or imbalances causing your symptoms. They also assess diet, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors such as toxins or genes that may play a role in causing or worsening symptoms. After reviewing this information, the doctor explains the probable causes of the condition and proposed treatment plan.
Functional Vs. Conventional Medicine
A conventional medical approach focuses on symptoms and diagnostics. It employs tests to determine a patient’s condition and treats it with pharmaceuticals or surgery. Often the treatment doesn’t address the root cause of the problem or prevent a recurrence.
On the other hand, functional medicine is a holistic approach that considers the patient’s genetic makeup, environmental factors, diet and lifestyle choices, and emotional health when making treatment options.
It uses an integrative approach focusing on the interaction between lifestyle choices, genetics, and the environment to improve overall health. Functional medicine practitioners work with patients to identify the root causes of chronic illness and design a personalized treatment plan incorporating lifestyle changes and natural therapies.
This approach is helpful for people who suffer from chronic conditions like arthritis or heart disease, have trouble managing their weight, or are experiencing fatigue for no apparent reason.
Why Should You Choose Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating chronic conditions. It’s based on the idea that what’s happening inside your body affects your health, and modern medicine alone can’t address the full range of symptoms you experience.
Doctors look at all the factors that contribute to your health issues, from diet and exercise patterns to hormones and inflammation, and work with you to develop a plan that provides a lasting solution.
It’s an excellent option for anyone with chronic health problems that haven’t responded to conventional treatments. If you’ve tried more than one round of antibiotics without relief from chronic sinus infections or have used antidepressants for years but still have trouble sleeping, functional medicine may help.
Functional medicine allows you to enjoy life without pain or illness and to take charge of your health before it spirals out of control.
Consider Functional Medicine for a Whole Person Treatment
If traditional medicine doesn’t resolve your health problems, consider functional medicine for whole-person treatment.
Functional medicine changes the quality of your life. The doctors uncover the root causes of a disease and provide you with a personalized treatment plan that supports your body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Are you looking forward to having a holistic treatment? At King pharmacy and compounding center, we have a team of experienced functional medicine practitioners dedicated to offering sustainable therapy for chronic conditions. They help you get a permanent solution to your chronic condition. For booking or inquiries, visit kingspharma.com
