Functional medicine focuses on the cause of the disease, not just the symptoms. Addressing the root causes empowers patients and practitioners to resolve complex chronic health conditions and promote optimal wellness. The benefits of Functional medicine for chronic illness management are many and varied.
Personalized Treatment
According to the CDC, 6 out of 10 Americans suffer from a chronic disease. These diseases are not easily cured and can result in higher stress, reduced quality of life, and increased medical expenses. Conventional medicine focuses on controlling illness once it has already occurred, usually by suppressing symptoms with medications. Trivida Functional Medicine practitioners instead approach wellness from the other direction, working to prevent disease in the first place and then correcting underlying causes of health problems so that patients can heal their bodies. Personalized treatment with functional medicine considers a patient’s unique genetic and lifestyle factors to create a living-and-breathing plan that adapts to changing circumstances. This allows patients to get the best possible care based on their specific needs, which results in better outcomes.
Reduced Medications
Chronic disease is one of the leading health burdens in Western societies. It costs more than 3.8+ trillion dollars annually and affects six out of ten adults. Currently, conventional medicine focuses on watchful waiting and medication or surgery as a primary treatment for chronic disease. However, the most successful way to manage these conditions is through a holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes of illness rather than suppressing or pruning back symptoms to control them. The benefits of reduced medication with functional medicine include improved adherence and health outcomes, reduced healthcare use, and increased patient satisfaction. This is especially important in light of the high cost of care for many chronic diseases.
Better Sleep
A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. It’s when your brain, body, and immune system rest. You may feel tired and unrested throughout the day when you’re not getting enough or quality sleep. This can cause many problems, including mood and mental health issues, hormones, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Functional medicine looks at a patient’s unique history, lifestyle, and genetics when determining the root cause of their symptoms. Rather than just treating the sign with a sleeping pill, this approach will find the underlying imbalances and treat them to restore overall health.
Increased Energy
Functional medicine is an innovative medical practice that shifts the focus from traditional disease-centered care to a patient-centered approach. It is an evolution in healthcare that addresses the unique needs of the 21st century. Functional doctors are trained to look beyond symptoms to understand the underlying cause of your condition. They use an integrated approach to addressing the whole body, which often involves looking at all aspects of your life, including diet, lifestyle, and stress. The concept behind functional medicine is that chronic illness occurs due to underlying imbalances in the critical physiological systems of your body, such as inflammation, blood sugar problems, hormone issues, oxidative stress, and environmental toxins. Chronic disease can be prevented and treated when addressing these imbalances with the proper nutritional, therapeutic diet, lifestyle, and supplement approaches.
Reduced Stress
Stress is a common trigger for most chronic illnesses, and several things, including a lack of sleep or a poor diet, can cause it. It can also be caused by systemic imbalances or traumas that have not healed. The good news is that chronic stress is not impossible to treat with functional medicine. It can be reduced through lifestyle changes, exercise, stress management, supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Reducing your stress will help you feel better in the long run. Whether through acupuncture, herbs, or mindfulness, your doctor will provide you with a plan that will work for you.
