Do you often feel that something is not going right with your body? Yet your doctors are not listening to you? Well, in such cases, functional medicine is the right choice for you. We often go to doctors to get some treatment and get healed. After a few days, the problem again appears due to its chronic behavior. That’s when we need the help of functional medicine practitioners to find out the root cause behind your chronic illness. They have a permanent impact on the illness.
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Chronic Illnesses
Chronic illnesses are long-term health conditions that often have no cure. These conditions can range from autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Some common chronic illnesses include:
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Cancer.
- Chronic pain.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Thyroid disorders.
- Mental health disorders.
To effectively manage a chronic illness, it’s essential to understand the specific condition you’re dealing with and how it affects your body. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions about your treatment and lifestyle choices.
What is The Main Goal?
The main aim is to detect the cause of the patient’s pain and give them the utmost relief. All the doctors provide quality and genuine, effective care to all their patients to get healed quickly and get back to their regular lives. Maximum time, medical professionals focus on what hurts, but their goal is to find out the cause behind the pain.
The Place for the Best Treatment
Nowadays, medical treatment is mostly on a patient-centered approach where the root cause of the chronic disease is diagnosed with several tests and instruments. It is the functional model of care that deals with this particular approach. Patients are aware of this special treatment they can get from places like Active Edge, but they often do not understand how to go about it. You should visit a clinic that will offer these facilities:
- Concentrate on the chronic conditions: The clinic that will pay the most attention to your chronic disease will be most suitable for you. Identifying the main cause of your chronic pain can heal you within a short period.
- Patient-centered care approach: This is the latest model followed in medical history by all medical professionals. Doctors should thoroughly go through your medical history, and assess them to get a clear picture of your health status. This evaluation of past reports will help the doctors to create a detailed medical plan.
- Use of latest technologies: In the present times, practitioners use technologies to detect the patient’s minute health details. Choose a clinic that will treat all kinds of the latest technologies to understand your health in a better way.
- Latest services: The clinic you opt for should offer you a virtual and one-to-one appointment with their doctors. Most clinics provide a team of doctors to look after their patients.
- Additional Facilities: Along with treating your particular disease, many clinics do offer some extra facilities. Weight management and dieticians are some of the critical facilities that many clinics offer.
Here are various treatment options for different conditions:
| Treatment | Description | Conditions Treated |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | A short-term, goal-oriented therapy that examines the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. | Depression, anxiety, and various mental health conditions. |
| Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) | Involves passing electrical currents through the brain to impact the function and effect of neurotransmitters to relieve depression. | Severe depression with specific features like catatonia, melancholia, or psychotic features. |
| Medication | Prescription drugs to help manage symptoms of mental illness. | Depression, anxiety, and various mental health conditions. |
| Psychotherapy | Therapeutic treatment of mental illness provided by a trained mental health professional. | Depression, anxiety, and various mental health conditions. |
| Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) | Treatment and practices not typically associated with standard care. | Various mental health conditions. |
| Support Groups | Group meetings where members guide each other towards the shared goal of recovery. | Various mental health conditions. |
| Case Management | Coordinates services for an individual with the help of a case manager. | Various mental health conditions. |
| Self-Help Plan | An individual addresses his or her condition by implementing strategies that promote wellness. | Various mental health conditions. |
| Hospitalization | Inpatient care for individuals with severe mental illness. | Various mental health conditions. |
| Problem-Solving Therapy | Helps people with depression develop skills to change thought patterns and behaviors. | Depression and depressive disorders. |
Keep in mind that the best treatment option may vary depending on the individual’s specific condition, symptoms, and personal preferences.
Is It Affordable for All?
When traditional medicine fails to cure a person of chronic disease, functional medicine appears on the stage. They do not offer treatment for immediate medical emergencies but only for chronic diseases. It is a patient-centered approach, and so is affordable for all sections of society’s people.
The charge of the treatment depends on the medical history of the patient. After going through the medical reports, assessing them, and evaluating the blood tests, they fix the charges.
Lifestyle Changes in Managing Chronic Illnesses
Lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in managing chronic illnesses and improving overall health. By adopting healthy habits, you can reduce the impact of your condition on your daily life and potentially even slow its progression. Here are some key lifestyle changes to consider:
a. Healthy Diet
A balanced and nutritious diet is vital for managing chronic illnesses. Focus on whole, plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. Consult a registered dietitian to create a personalized meal plan that meets your specific needs and supports your health goals.
b. Regular Physical Activity
Regular exercise can help manage chronic illnesses by improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and boosting mood. Choose activities that you enjoy and are suitable for your condition. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise regimen.
c. Stress Management
Chronic stress can exacerbate chronic illnesses and negatively impact overall health. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or journaling to help manage stress and improve your mental well-being.
d. Sleep Hygiene
Quality sleep is essential for managing chronic illnesses and promoting overall health. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a comfortable sleep environment, and practice good sleep hygiene to improve the quality of your sleep.