“Normal” Health Symptoms Functional Medicine Can Address
It’s time that we addressed the normalization of certain health symptoms. You know, the symptoms that go undetected by labs or the symptoms that we’re told to deal with because it’s just part of getting older.
At Functional Nutrition Resources, we believe that all health symptoms should be looked at and addressed. Life shouldn’t be spent managing pain and discomfort. Instead, we address illness at its root so that you can do the things you love with the people you care about.
The first step to optimizing health is to identify the symptoms that often go undiagnosed and untreated. Here are five health symptoms that go untreated by conventional medicine, as well as how functional medicine exposes “normal” health symptoms and treats underlying causes.
1. Thyroid Issues
Every year, more and more people become aware of the thyroid gland and how often it goes overlooked by the medical community. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating our metabolism and hormone levels. Disorders such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can wreak havoc on our well-being. Unfortunately, the symptoms of thyroid issues are often subtle or easily attributed to other causes. Fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, mood swings, and cold sensitivity are frequently overlooked signs. Common tests are also flawed, reporting “normal” thyroid levels that are actually not ideal when examining the overall effects of these symptoms on functional health.
2. Joint Pain
Joint pain is a common complaint, even among young people who should have well-functioning joints. The various factors that cause joint pain include arthritis, injuries, and underlying conditions such as lupus or fibromyalgia.
Since joint pain is often considered a normal part of aging or attributed to physical exertion, it frequently goes untreated. Ignoring persistent joint pain can lead to worsening health symptoms without functional medicine, thus decreasing mobility. Consulting a functional medicine provider can help determine the cause and explore appropriate treatment options.
3. Bloating
Almost everyone has experienced bloating at some point, usually after a heavy meal or due to gastrointestinal issues. However, persistent or chronic bloating may signal an underlying condition. The typical American diet is so unbalanced and crammed full of processed foods that we think that bloating is a “normal” health symptom without functional medicine’s input.
Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause uncomfortable and recurring bloating. Dietary changes, stress management, and medical guidance can aid in identifying triggers and alleviating gut symptoms.
4. Stress and Anxiety
How many times a day do we dismiss stress as a normal part of everyday life? In our busy culture, it’s easy to ignore the effects of stress because we think everyone has to deal with it. Why should functional medicine flag this health symptom as especially harmful?
While it’s normal to experience occasional anxiety in response to stressful situations, persistent and excessive worry, panic attacks, and irrational fears may indicate an anxiety disorder. Chronic stress can also have wide-ranging effects on health. However, anxiety disorders are treatable through therapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. Seeking professional help can make a significant difference in managing anxiety and improving quality of life.
5. Fatigue
In our fast-paced world, fatigue has become all too familiar. Many individuals push through exhaustion, attributing it to busy schedules, lack of sleep, or other external factors. However, chronic fatigue that persists despite adequate rest and disrupts daily functioning may be a sign of an underlying condition. Conditions such as anemia, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, or even mental health conditions such as depression can contribute to persistent fatigue. Identifying the root cause of poor health symptoms through functional medical evaluation and addressing it appropriately can lead to improved energy levels and overall well-being.
Functional Medicine Exposes “Normal” Health Symptoms
Functional medicine offers a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to healthcare, aiming to uncover the root causes of chronic symptoms and provide tailored treatments for long-lasting relief. Pay attention to the list above. Notice how many of the symptoms that we tend to normalize are chronic issues. You don’t have to manage pain with painkillers or by limiting your activity levels. Instead, you can get to the root cause with Functional Nutrition Resources.
Our approach involves personalized treatment plans that target patient-specific conditions. We gather a detailed medical history and explore past conditions, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions. Then specialized tests are used to examine biomarkers, physiological imbalances, and unique biochemistry. This helps identify triggers and patterns contributing to chronic symptoms opposing functional health.
Through root cause analysis, our functional medicine practitioners will unearth surprising discoveries such as nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, gut health, hormones, toxins, infections, stress, and emotional well-being. This comprehensive understanding helps unravel the complexity of chronic symptoms.Don’t go through life ignoring “normal” health symptoms. Functional medicine can noticeably improve your quality of life, and we’re eager to show you how. Functional Nutrition Resources is now offering free discovery calls. Schedule yours today!