Rethinking Chronic Disease Management With Functional Care
Table of Contents
What is chronic disease?
The CDC defines a chronic disease as a long term condition that lasts 1 year or more. They require ongoing treatment and may restrict a person’s day to day activities like going to work or getting dressed. Common chronic diseases include depression, high blood pressure, and asthma.
Living with a chronic health condition is no small feat. Many women in Michigan, Florida, and across the U.S. are struggling with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic pain on a daily basis.
This lifestyle often requires juggling many medications and having to keep up with frequent doctor visits. Even then, the best treatment plan may not lead to improved health or better results. That’s why, as a functional medicine doctor, I have spent years researching new ways to improve chronic disease management through more holistic practices.
In this post you’ll learn how functional medicine can help to identify the root causes of chronic disease rather than only treating the symptoms. You’ll also discover how personalized care and lifestyle changes can improve both your health status, quality of life and mood.
Key Takeaways
According to the Centers for Disease Control, six out of every ten adults are living with at least one chronic illness in the U.S.
Functional medicine works to identify and treat the root causes of a disease, not just mask its symptoms with medication.
Personalized treatment plans are designed with advanced health tools as well as patient input to address their specific needs. This allows women to better manage conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
Results are improved through a collaboration between patients, doctors, nurses, and other community health workers.
When functional care is integrated with existing healthcare systems, it reduces the number of emergency room visits, supports overall mental health, and meets public health goals nationwide.
Understanding Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is built on a patient-centered approach. A functional healthcare team often includes doctors, nurses who work together to find the root causes of the problem.
Healing is centered around creating healthy behaviors and prevention rather than just treating a patient's symptoms. Healthcare professionals go beyond traditional medical care to understand what a individual actually needs. They review the patient's past medical history, lifestyle habits, and surrounding environment to grasp a complete picture of their health before offering a comprehensive solution.
"Understanding your unique needs is at the core of functional medicine,” says the National Council’s Prevention Program director.
Developing a personalized treatment plan for each patient makes managing serious conditions like heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s disease, more effective than a one-size-fits-all method.
Benefits of Functional Medicine for Chronic Disease Management
One great benefit of functional medicine is that patients receive integrative and personalized treatment plans. These plans aim to discover the root causes of a patient’s health problems.
Personalized treatment plans
In functional medicine, your health care team will create a management plan that fits your unique needs and lifestyle. Your healthcare professional may order tests to find out if you are deficient in any nutrients, or having any hormonal fluctuations before designing your plan.
Healthcare providers take an integrated approach, sharing health records and lab results across an entire health care team for a more connected, high-quality healthcare experience. This system ensures that every doctor working towards improving your health outcomes is seeing the full picture before creating a an action plan.
Focus on root causes and prevention
Functional care focuses on targeting the actual cause of your chronic disease. The Chronic Care Model guides this approach to quality care. It has been relied on for nearly 20 years to shape the improvement of healthcare services across the United States.
Health care professionals encourage patients to start by changing poor health habits. This is especially important for those that may lead to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and other common conditions found in women and other vulnerable populations. Having an integrated health system also helps your doctor track your lifestyle patterns and social determinants so they can try to prevent chronic illness before it even starts.
When prevention is at the center of your plan, it supports better patient outcomes. It also reduces burnout for providers who are treating growing numbers of chronic cases in Michigan, Florida, and nationwide.
Integrating Functional Care into Existing Healthcare Systems
Integrating functional medicine into existing healthcare systems will require great collaboration between patients, doctors, and other various health professionals. This joint effort will create a strong framework that promotes chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices simultaneously.
Collaboration between patients and healthcare providers
To manage chronic diseases effectively, there must be a healthy collaboration between patients and healthcare providers. This partnership will create a supportive environment that encourages healthier lifestyles for all patients.
Patients ensure that their treatment plan is suited for their unique needs by actively participating in their care plans. They share both their preferences and past experiences with providers for a customized approach.
Communication is an essential part of this partnership too. Engage in clear discussions about your symptoms and your preferred treatment plan to help your doctor adjust their approaches to your needs.
When you feel heard and valued as a patient, you’ll feel more confident. This confidence will motivate you to follow to recommendations from healthcare professionals and practice more healthy living behaviors.
Technology may also enhance this collaboration with your doctor. It breaks down barriers and helps patients track their conditions through health apps. This makes new data easily accessible during appointments.
Scheduling regular check-ins with your doctor allows them to make adjustments to your treatment plans as necessary, and efficiently. These follow ups ensure that you and your provider are up to date on any changes in the your condition.
Connecting with support groups may offer extra beneficial resources for those managing a chronic illnesses. They create a safe space where you can share your experiences and advice, while helping other women feel less isolated too.
When lifestyle changes are a part of your health discussion, it builds a comprehensive approach to traditional health services. Prioritizing behavior changes empowers patients to take control of their health and decision-making.
Working together with your functional medicine doctor helps to manage the many challenges caused by chronic diseases. It also promotes long-term wellness strategies for every patient who is involved in their own healthcare decisions.
Take Charge Of Your Health
Redefining chronic disease management through functional medicine lens offers a fresh new approach to healthcare. By creating personalized treatment plans for each patient and prioritizing the importance of addressing the root causes of chronic disease, patients can experience better overall health, less risk factors, and a better quality of life.
If you’re ready for a more comprehensive and transparent approach to your health, request an appointment with Dr. Tina Maru to take charge of your health journey today.
FAQs
Functional medicine is an excellent option for those struggling with a chronic disease. Patients work closely with their provider to follow through on a comprehensive medical plan that considers past health history, lifestyle behaviors, habits, and environment for a full view of the patient's needs.
Your doctor will design your treatment plan with the focus of identifying the root causes of your illness, not just its symptoms. Through this approach, doctors often spend more time learning about your lifestyle and environment before making any concrete recommendations.
Patients should provide their doctor with an accurate health history. They should inquire about how their sensitive information is used or stored to prevent problems later. They should work closely with their provider so they receive tailored advice relevant to their progress and treatment.
