If you are researching non-traditional medical options, you may be thinking about functional medicine. If it is so, you are in the right place. Here is everything you must know about appropriate medication and its effect on medical conditions. All across the globe, governments are spending a vast amount of money on the healthcare sector. With an increasing chronic disease and deteriorating health conditions, functional medicine has become a proven method to deal with the rising demands. Now, what is functional medicine? Why has it gained increased popularity? What are the techniques involved in this treatment plan? These are some of the questions that might bother you. 

This article will answer all these queries. Read on to gather more information about the functional medicine technique.

When it comes to medication, people might think of popping some pills into their mouth and waiting for the magic to happen. The truth is, better health lies in following the right process rather than simply finding an easy way out. It is exactly where functional medicine comes in. It is a process-oriented approach that looks into the underlying causes of your health condition and then creates an individualized treatment for you. This may include dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and specific supplements or medications. Functional medicine has been shown to be extremely beneficial for people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and asthma.

Let’s take a look at functional medicine entails. The first step is to assess your overall health condition through comprehensive testing. This will help identify any imbalances or weaknesses in your body. Once the root causes are identified, specific treatment plans are created based on your unique needs. Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of diagnostic tools such as biocardiogram, blood tests, and stool sample analysis to create a detailed report.

Understand functional medicine

Functional medicine was based on the identification of the underlying cause of the ailment. It diagnoses the body structure and treats the illness and not the symptom. On the other hand, conventional medicine is more concerned with the symptoms of the disease or condition. The medical practitioners will prescribe medication or treatment plans for doing away with symptoms, but they are not concerned about uncovering the reasons. When these diseases are conventionally treated, like high blood pressure or heart disease, you will see each patient receiving the same prescription. Functional medicine, on the other hand, has a different approach. Active Edge functional medicine pinpoints the underlying cause and diagnoses the problem. Hence, the care is not similar for patients enduring the same symptoms. The practitioner will inquire about your lifestyle, diet, physical exercise, run lab examinations, and then help you with the treatment strategy.

Why would you hunt for functional medicine? 

People suffering from the chronic disease may look for functional medicine when conventional methods are ineffective. Some chronic ailments that can get treated with this option are listed below:

  • Chronic pain,
  • Some allergies,
  • Anxiety and depression,
  • High blood pressure,
  • Arthritis,
  • IBS or irritable bowel syndrome,
  • Fibromyalgia.

What treatment you want to get is your final decision. Some people look for natural methodologies for treating disease and alignment. At the same time, others look for functional medicine over conventional alternatives. You can go for non-prescription medication if it works well for you.

However, do not avoid forget to consult with the health care provider. You might be required to make significant changes to your lifestyle, including diet and physical activity.

Lab testing is essential for a functional medicine evaluation 

Lab tests are an important part of diagnosing many conditions and are also vital for the evaluation of functional medicine. The following labs can be helpful:

 1. Complete blood count (CBC)

This test gives a good overview of the overall health and can help diagnose anemia, infection, and other conditions.

2. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

– This test measures various biomarkers related to kidney and liver function, blood sugar levels, and electrolyte balance.

3. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

– This test is used to measure blood sugar control over the past 3 months.

4. Insulin

– This test measures the quantity of insulin in the blood. It can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes.

5. Testosterone

– This test measures the quantity of testosterone in the blood. It can help diagnose and monitor testosterone deficiency.

Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of other diagnostic tests depending on the individual’s needs. These tests might include:

  • Urinalysis
  • Genetic testing
  • Food allergy testing
  • Stool analysis
  • Adrenal stress testing
  • Hormone testing

When all of the important information is collected, a detailed treatment plan can be created the unique needs of the individual.

How effective is functional medicine? 

Since functional medicine hinges upon the underlying cause, the treatment plan differs from one patient to the other. When you have concluded that you want to go for functional medicine, look for a licensed practitioner. Most individuals may have the designation but not the experience. Hence, looking for a specialist having relevant knowledge and expertise in this field must be at the top of your priority list. The key characteristics of a high-class functional medicine practitioner are listed below:

  • They will keep you informed about your treatment.
  • They ensure that you are comfortable.
  • They are partners in maintaining good health.
  • They use state-of-the-art diagnostics.
  • Their treatments are tailored to you as an individual.

The effectiveness of functional medicine is difficult to measure because it differs from patient to patient. However, many patients report significant improvement in their symptoms after undergoing treatment. Functional medicine is a collaborative approach, so it is crucial for patients to partner with their practitioners. Some common complaints that are handled by this approach are listed below:

  • Digestive problems –  constipation, diarrhea, and IBS
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Hormonal imbalances, such as estrogen dominance and low testosterone
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
  • Brain fog
  • Skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis

Now that you know all about functional medicine, you can depend upon the science-based method by using natural methods and basing their treatment on clinical studies. It will develop your body’s ability for better movement and posture.

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