Functional medicine is a new approach to treating the root cause of a disease rather than just treating symptoms. Functional medicine Edmond, OK is based on the premise that every health condition begins with an imbalance in the body’s ability to function optimally.
Functional medicine doctors look at these imbalances as dysfunctional components and work with you to identify, correct, and eliminate them. By addressing each component, you can better support your body’s innate ability to fight illness and stay healthy.
Functional medicine doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of health concerns, including:
Digestive disorders
Digestive disorders include food sensitivities and intolerances, digestive system inflammation and pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
The majority of digestive disorders are linked to poor digestion or nutrient deficiencies. Poor digestion can be caused by many factors, including poor digestive enzyme production (gastroenteritis). Nutrients such as vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium, and other minerals play an essential role in the digestive system.
Autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders are health problems in which the immune system attacks and destroys healthy cells and organs. They can affect any body part, including organs such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and ovaries.
The most common autoimmune disorders include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis)
- Psoriasis, lupus, and other autoimmune skin diseases
- Functional medicine doctors treat autoimmune conditions with targeted treatments that can help restore balance to your immune system.
Respiratory problems
Functional medicine doctors treat asthma and respiratory infections as the most common conditions. While these conditions can be reversed through a specific diet and lifestyle change, in many cases, they need to be treated with medications that work on the underlying causes.
Respiratory problems are often due to an imbalance in the body’s ability to process oxygen. That can happen when an allergy or sensitivity to certain foods, chemicals, or environmental triggers (such as cigarette smoke) exists. Functional medicine doctors will investigate the cause of this imbalance and recommend steps to correct it.
Skin conditions
Dermatitis and eczema are common skin conditions that functional medicine doctors can help with. They also treat oily skin, acne, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Functional medicine doctors also treat cellulite that occurs on the legs and buttocks. These doctors can help with cellulite by identifying the root cause and prescribing appropriate diet and exercise to help you achieve your goals regarding your skin.
Neurological disorders
Functional medicine doctors work closely with neurologists to diagnose and treat neurological disorders. They will use various diagnostic tools, including blood tests and imaging studies, to determine whether there is a problem with the brain or nervous system. Treatment for these conditions often requires specialized care from a neurologist specializing in treating neurological disorders.
Functional medicine doctors are trained to look at the whole picture. They will consider factors such as diet and lifestyle, stress levels, and environmental toxins in addition to physical symptoms to understand what is going on with the body. The holistic approach can help these doctors identify underlying causes of problems and develop effective treatments that support the body’s healing power. Contact The Lamkin Clinic and schedule an appointment with a specialist if you have questions about how a functional medicine doctor can help you.
