Ask The Doctor: What You Should Know About 'Functional Medicine'

While traditional medicine often looks at one organ system in isolation – such as the skin for acne or the brain for migraines – "functional medicine" examines the person as a whole to address multiple organ systems and the root causes of illness.

In the third installment of Patch's "Ask The Doctor" series, Allie Nowak, a physician assistant at Clinic Sofia, answers common questions about functional medicine.

Clinic Sofia recently added functional medicine in response to a growing number of patients interested in a more holistic approach to dealing with chronic health issues or looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Founded in 2004, Clinic Sofia serves thousands of women across the Twin Cities metro area.

What is functional medicine?

Functional medicine aims to align our diet, lifestyle and environment with our genetics to address the root cause. We now know that genetics account for less than 10 percent of human disease and that the remaining causes are environmental. Functional medicine is holistic. It looks at the body as an interconnected system.

It’s also patient-centered and we know that there is no-one- size-fits all approach. In fact, patients with the same condition may get completely different treatments based on the underlying cause. Interestingly, functional medicine combines the best of conventional medicine and alternative treatments. It doesn’t exclude drugs or surgery when they’re necessary, but does tend to focus on lifestyle medicine as the primary intervention.

And finally, functional medicine is preventative with the goal to intervene and treat disease before it occurs.

Why are more and more people interested in functional medicine?

Chronic diseases are skyrocketing, and there is a profound mismatch between our genetic heritage and the modern environment that we live in today. This shift toward processed foods, chronic sleep deprivation, sedentary lifestyles, unmanageable stress levels, long working hours, a disconnect from nature and social isolation are responsible for the epidemic of modern disease that we are suffering from.

People aren’t feeling good and they want to know why and how they can change things. They also want to address family health challenges andcreate a healthier future for themselves and their children.

What issues can functional medicine address?

Because our aim is to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms (whether it is lifestyle related, impaired gut health, cortisol imbalances or nutritional deficiencies), we can address a full spectrum of issues, including fatigue, low libido, headaches, diet and weight issues, sleeplessness, stress, anxiety and much more. In addition, functional medicine can help those who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopause, menopause, thyroid disorders or fertility issues, among others.

How does the diagnosis and treatment process work?

Diagnosis varies from patient to patient based on individual needs. We will have a conversation and testing can include everything from blood to urine to fecal tests to examine underlying causes. Every patient is involved in his or her prognosis and treatment, which encourages individuals to take charge of their health and make changes for the better.

If you are interested in talking with Allie about issues such as pre-conception counseling, healthy pregnancy, digestive health and mood issues, sleep challenges or other lifestyle issues, you can call Clinic Sofia at (952) 345-4448 and note that you are interested in a functional medicine consultation. You do not need to be a current Clinic Sofia patient.

Previous articles in this series:

• The Latest On Mammograms, Breast Cancer
• Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Photo courtesy of Clinic Sofia