Functional Medicine
The functional medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness.
Unlike the acute care model of traditional western medicine, Functional Medicine does not apply a standard protocol to each problem. This is not “one-size-fits-all” medicine. Through the unique partnership between patient and doctor, Functional Medicine produces a comprehensive plan for maximizing the health of the individual. Beyond alleviating symptoms or slowing the progression of disease, the corrected imbalances and lifestyle changes resulting from the Functional approach promote wellness and vitality for the whole patient.
Digestive Issues
Many people begin to accept these problems as normal. However, prolonged or irregular issues with your gut and stomach could be the signs of serious digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, food sensitivities/allergies leaky gut, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Furthermore, serious stomach issues can extend out beyond the digestive tract and can lead to issues in other parts of the body if it is not properly regulated. These digestive problems can cause systemic symptoms, even if the person is not showing digestive issues. These symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and skin issues such as acne and rashes.
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent, complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any specific medical condition and can be set off with even normal to low activity.
Many people believe that having low energy is directly tied to the amount of sleep they receive each night. However, sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome know that even when they get enough sleep, they will still feel the consequences of their condition. When symptoms persist even after a full night’s rest, it can be an indicator that there is a more serious problem that is occurring.
Signs of Chronic Fatigue
Signs of chronic fatigue often include extreme tiredness throughout the day and following light movement or exercise. Other signs include short or long term memory loss, poor decision making, brain fog, and cognitive decline.
The cause of chronic fatigue can vary, but the most common reasons include poor dietary choices, food allergies/sensitivities, adrenal dysfunction, or gastrointestinal issues. Other causes include a hidden infection, exposure to environmental toxins, poor detoxification capacity, and high stress
Hormonal Imbalances
At some point in our lives, most of us are faced with symptoms sparked by fluctuations in our hormones which causes imbalances. The symptoms of hormone imbalances include:
- Painful or irregular periods or PMS
- Infertility
- Thyroid disorders
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss and change in appetite
- Depression, anxiety or brain fog
- Fatigue or low energy
- Insomnia or lack of deep sleep
- Low sex drive
- Digestive issues, skin issues, or vision issues
- Hair loss and thinning hair
The causes of hormone imbalances vary, but the most common culprits include:
- Poor dietary choice
- Lack of exercise
- High levels of stress
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Hidden infections
- High levels of inflammation
- Weight gain and obesity
- Exposure to toxins
- Genetics
Chronic Stress
Your adrenal glands are a set of glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and they play a vital role in your overall health. The adrenal glands act like the emergency command and control center of your body—similar to a 911 call operator. When we are faced with a stressful situation, a hormone called cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and tells the rest of the body what to do in order to survive. When we face a stressor, cortisol shuts down fat burning to help us preserve energy, but it will give us a short burst of energy commonly known as an adrenaline rush.
- Shut down the digestive tract
- Stop the immune system from working properly
- Affect other parts of the body such as the brain, thyroid gland, connective tissue, and sex glands in both men and women.
Brain Issues
Today, more than ever, our brain health has been compromised. Current data from the Centers for Disease Control reveals a 41% increase in rates of ADHD diagnosis over the past decade and a forty-fold spike in bipolar disorder diagnosis. Similarly, diagnoses of various autism spectrum disorders, once considered rare, have increased by 78% since 2002.
Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
There are roughly 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide each year. Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.5 million people of all ages have some form of Alzheimer’s disease. There are roughly 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide each year. Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.
Whether it is ADHD, autism, Alzheimer’s or dementia, all brain-related disorders respond favorably to functional medicine treatment.
Optimal Health
In a busy world where health and wellness often take a backseat to productivity and prosperity, we must continue to move forward, striving for a healthier mind and body. Our gentle, natural approach to healthy living encourages individuals to build on their current strengths as they explore new ways to eat, exercise, and relax. Through a whole body preventive approach, we provide ongoing, research-backed information, and education to help individuals take control of their health and make the positive decisions necessary for optimal well-being.
Balance Holistic Health Center offers an array of convenient, at-home tests to help identify any deficiencies or imbalances in the body that could affect both physical and mental health. Easy access to important health and wellness information and related tools is crucial to helping prevent many disease processes and conditions in the body. Ultimately, our goal is to help you find the right combination of therapies and support that empowers you to make the kinds of changes that will benefit your health. Balance Holistic Health Center provides the tools you’ll need to get started and the ongoing support to maintain permanent, life-altering changes!