Functional Medicine/Women's Health:
fed up with a healthcare system that addresses only symptoms and relies heavily on prescription medication? Doctors and patients are now turning to a new, personalized model known as Functional Medicine. Some people call it the “medicine of the future” because it addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century by shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach.
What does this mean for the patient?
At a Functional Medicine practice, a doctor will not simply prescribe medication to deal with the immediate symptoms but look into the root of the problem. Patients can expect to spend more time talking to their doctors about their medical and family histories and are empowered to take an active role in their health. With the rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, Functional Medicine moves away from the traditional acute-care approach by incorporating the latest in genetic science, specialized testing not available at your traditional doctor’s office, and most importantly, understanding how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the emergence and progression of disease. The idea is to move away from putting a temporary patch on the problem, but instead focus on treating the entire human organism to spread health and vitality. The treatments are all natural, using vitamins, minerals and specialized supplements that won’t cause the side effects seen in synthetic prescription medications.
In a nutshell, the goal is for patients to look and feel ten years younger while practicing prevention to avoid future disease. As the practice of Functional Medicine continues to grow so do the anti aging treatments, including the controversial hormone replacement therapy. This service has become popular and is provided in many offices, but it is critical that patients do their research and ensure they are working with a certified professional.
MENOPAUSE | FEMALE HORMONES | HOT FLASHES | ESTROGEN
· Have you noticed weight gain?
· Are you struggling with insomnia?
· Are you experiencing low sex drive?
· Are you experiencing mood swings?
· Are hot flashes disrupting your day?
·
The balance of hormones is vital to a woman’s health but in Menopause, when levels are dropping, a deficiency of one hormone can trigger excess of another and various imbalances. These imbalances cause the effects we so commonly see, such as: mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia, migraines, risk for disease, acne and hair loss.
We look at a variety of hormone levels including Estrone, estradiol, progesterone, SHBG, testosterone, free testosterone, FSH, DHEA, melatonin, and cortisol to find the imbalance. By utilizing a functional and preventative approach to look at the cause through testing, holistic and natural treatments as well as bio-identical hormone therapy. We also incorporate various preventative treatments such as stress reduction, exercise, natural therapies and various organic foods. The end goal is optimal hormone balance based on each individual’s needs by listening to how you feel and also optimal lab values.