Functional medicine is a new medical approach that uses detailed analysis of the entire body to identify and address imbalances. Doing this makes it possible to treat a wide range of conditions, from minor problems such as allergies and asthma to more serious diseases such as cancer.
However, while functional medicine has many benefits, it is important to be aware of the risks involved. In this article, we explore the benefits and risks of functional medicine in detail so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this approach is right for you.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a new approach to health care that focuses on the underlying causes of disease. Functional medicine aims to treat the root cause of illness, not just the symptoms. In addition, functional medicine focuses on treating the whole person, not just the disease.
Functional medicine takes a patient-centred approach. Instead of focusing on a specific disease, doctors and patients work together to identify factors contributing to a person’s overall health.
This procedure emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet. It encourages people to make small changes in their everyday lives to improve their overall health. These changes include eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and reducing stress.
It is different from conventional medicine in many ways. It focuses on the whole person, not just a specific part of the body. It recognizes that the body has a complete set of systems that work together to maintain good health. This includes the immune system, the endocrine system, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, and the central nervous system.
A functional medicine practitioner will evaluate a patient’s lifestyle and dietary habits. They may ask about the patient’s diet and exercise habits, and how often they eat and drink. The practitioner will also evaluate the patient’s medical history. This includes the patient’s family history, medical history, and current symptoms. The practitioner may take a complete physical examination of the patient to look for signs of disease.
What Diseases Can Be Cured by Functional Medicine?
Many diseases can be treated by functional medicine. Functional medicine experts from Pure Health Medical claimed that they apply this treatment to some common conditions to get effective results.
1. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition where a person experiences widespread pain. Many people suffer from fibromyalgia. Some studies estimate that about 1% of Americans have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia has many different causes. The most common cause is stress. Other possible causes include infection, autoimmune disease, thyroid disorder, and nutritional deficiencies.
In some cases, fibromyalgia is caused by poor posture. Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages. However, older people are more likely to experience it than younger people. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. People who are overweight are more likely to have fibromyalgia.
Many people with fibromyalgia find that functional medicine can help to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Functional medicine recognizes that fibromyalgia is a condition that stems from inflammation throughout the body, with many factors to review to find the cause and not just treat flare-ups.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes nowadays is a common health problem. It is a condition where the blood sugar level is too high. People who suffer from diabetes have to pay special attention to their diet. This means that they need to eat a healthy diet. They also need to avoid eating foods that can make their blood sugar levels rise.
Functional medicine is a popular way to treat diabetes since it focuses on lifestyle, daily diet, and other daily activities, it has a good effect on treating diabetes. It recommends patients make a change in their daily lifestyle, eat a proper diet, regular exercise, etc.
3. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that many women suffer from. Some women experience PMS for the first time when they are pregnant, but most women suffer from it for the first time after menopause. It occurs about two days before menstruation begins, and it lasts until one week after menstruation begins.
PMS also occurs when the hormone levels in your body change before your period begins. These changes can make you feel tired and irritable, and they can even cause pain in your muscles and joints. Some people with PMS experience cramps and bloating.
Functional medicine is a better option for treating premenstrual syndrome. During this time, functional medicine recommends drinking plenty of water. This will help to control the amount of water that you lose through urination. It is also important to exercise during this time as it helps you to relieve your symptoms and to feel better.
4. Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs. It causes inflammation in the lining of the lungs and makes it harder for them to function. As a result, people who have asthma cannot breathe properly.
Functional medicine recommends learning how to manage it. Managing asthma is important. There are medications that you can take to help control it. You will also need to ensure you take your medication as prescribed.
If you do, you can prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Your doctor will need to take a look at you before starting you on your medication. He or she will need to test your blood to see if you have high sodium levels in your system.
5. Depression
Depression is a common disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 25% of people will have depression during their lifetimes. More women than men suffer from depression. Depression is defined as a mood disorder. It is characterized by sadness, anger, lack of interest in life, and energy loss.
According to mental health experts from Pacific Bay Recovery, depressed people may experience a variety of physical symptoms, including insomnia, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. People with depression usually do not feel like doing anything. Their thinking becomes negative and gloomy. They may also have thoughts about death and suicide.
Functional medicine recommends changing lifestyles to treat depression. This treatment effectively treats micronutrient imbalances, neurotransmitter deficiencies, infections, and other factors that cause depression.
6. Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the immune system attacks the tissues of the body. These diseases can affect any organ in the body, including the brain, eyes, heart, lungs, blood vessels, intestines, and thyroid.
In autoimmune disorders, the body mistakenly produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. These antibodies are produced by cells called lymphocytes. The cells are located in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and the thymus gland.
The thymus gland is found in the chest and is responsible for producing new T-cells. The T-cells are the main defence cells that prevent infection and disease. When the thymus gland is damaged, fewer T-cells are produced.
A functional medicine doctor will try to find the problem’s source and treat it instead of just suppressing it. They will look at the root causes instead of the symptoms. They will find out why the patient is having problems with the immune system and try to treat that. They won’t simply administer medications that will mask the symptoms. They will find out the root cause of the problem and try to fix it.
7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that occurs when the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract do not work correctly. It is also known as spastic colon syndrome. People who suffer from IBS will have abnormal bowel movements. They will have diarrhoea, constipation, and/or abdominal pain.
The condition is caused by a variety of factors, including a change in diet. These factors include the amount of fibre, protein, and fat that you eat. They also include stress. Many people who suffer from IBS are also allergic to certain foods. Some people have had problems with this condition for a long time.
Functional medicine looks at all aspects of digestive and nervous system health to uncover why, for each individual, the symptoms of IBS are occurring. It recognizes that IBS is a multi-factorial condition where the causes are different for each person.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), functional medicine approaches to IBS are similar to those used in the treatment of other disorders like arthritis and allergies.
Risks of Functional Medicine Treatment
Functional medicine is a great concept, but there are risks associated with it. One of the biggest concerns with functional medicine is that many of the treatments that are used to treat the root cause of the disease are very invasive and can cause serious side effects.
Another biggest risk of functional medicine is that it may not be right for everyone. If you are not a candidate for this type of treatment, it may be best to stick with conventional medicine.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of functional medicine is very dependent on the individual patient. The treatment will be more effective if the patient is willing to cooperate with the practitioner. The practitioner will have to understand the patient’s health history, the patient’s current symptoms, and the patient’s lifestyle.
The practitioner must also be aware of the patient’s medical history and the patient’s current medications. The practitioner must also be aware of any allergies or sensitivities the patient has.
Also, read: If You Notice These Signs Then You Need Behavioural Health Treatment
