What is Functional Metabolic Health?

by steven ross of Dr. Steven Ross ( 28-Jul-2009 )

What is Functional Metabolic Health, also known as Functional Diagnostic Medicine? Functional Diagnostic Medicine combines traditional health care of years gone by with modern science. It is a method which focuses upon improvement of physical, mental, and emotional function. It sees disease, not as an enemy, but as an opportunity for change and growth. In older systems of medicine it was believed that the body was self-regulating and that disease occurred when this self-regulation became disrupted. In more contemporary terms it is spoken of in terms of feedback loops. When these feedback mechanisms get stuck or disrupted, imbalances and disharmony occur. We call this being sick. The aim of Functional Diagnostic Medicine is to help your body to come back into dynamic alignment. Functional Medicine focuses not on endpoint or pathological state, but on the dynamic processes which underlie and precede it. While acknowledging the existence of pathology as well as a need to understand it, It focuses on the underlying processes and seeks a path of therapy which engages these underlying events. Functional Diagnostic Medicine is used in combination with Contemporary Medicine for the best possible approach. The approach is holistic rather than specialized. It approaches the body as a whole system. Contemporary Medicine compartmentalizes the body into specialties: liver doctors, heart doctors, mind doctors, etc. In Functional Diagnostic Medicine, all systems are known to be linked and patterns between organ systems are explored. Some of the many diverse fields which contribute to Functional Diagnostic Medicine are: genetics, herbal medicine, nutrition, and environmental toxicology, and endocrinology, natural medicine of all types including chiropractic, gastroenterology, psychology, and immunology. Functional Diagnostic Medicine Is: Patient Centered Based on each person's unique needs All about balancing your biochemistry Integrative of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing Science based using challenge tests and diagnostic tests Encouraging you to take an active role in your program Interested in outcomes rather than controlling symptoms Today people want to seek health care that compliments with their own lifestyle and values. Many people are turning to complimentary medicine because they feel listened to, cared for, and are treated as a whole person. Functional Diagnostic Medicine looks at how you are "doing" and "feeling." You won't be told It's all in your head. Functional Diagnostic Medicine is interested in your life, your well-being, what you eat, your work environment, your relationships and communication with others, how you relax and play, your hobbies, what medications you've taken, how well your digestive system functions, and what chemicals you've been exposed to. Your total lifestyle helps create a picture by understanding who you really are and hearing about your life, significant clues and information can be found to really help you feel better. You can change the way you feel! Rather than naming a specific disease, Functional Diagnostic Medicine looks to find the underlying causes. This functional approach takes you and your lifestyle into the practice of health care. It looks at you in the context of your life and choices. Your treatment program will reflect your needs. Who can benefit from this approach? Many people today have health problems that don't fit into simple categories. Often people have complex health problems involving inflammatory responses, immune, nervous, digestive, energy, and/or cardiovascular systems. These people are best helped by a functional approach. Typical patients include people with: Digestive complaints Chronic fatigue syndrome Hormonal Imbalance (female and male) Chronic Pain Poor memory Auto-immune illness Metabolic Illness (diabetes, etc.) Arthritis Fibromyalgia Fatigue of unknown origin Inflammatory conditions Better health now: Most people have a reoccurring health problem that can be alleviated or corrected through Functional Diagnostic Medicine. Many of you just learn to live with a variety of small to large health problems and to limit your lives accordingly. Often people with irritable bowel syndrome stay home because they are unsure of their bowels. Many women with migraines don't schedule anything during certain parts of their menstrual cycle. And people with arthritis just give up moving in certain ways or doing certain things because they can't. We have been told to just accept their limitations. Health care providers working with Functional Diagnostic Medicine are realistic about the possible limitations, but optimistic about helping you get well again. Increased life and health span: The goal isn't necessarily for you to live longer, although you just might. Many people experience a decline in health for the last several decades. Yet every one knows people who lived happy and healthy until the last few months or year of life and the quietly passed of "old age." The goal of Functional Diagnostic Medicine is to improve overall health throughout life and especially into the "Golden Years" of old age. A recent study from the University of California at Stanford showed that people who began paying attention to preventive health care in mid-life, stopped smoking, exercised, and made dietary changes, had fewer hospitalizations, surgeries, took fewer medications, and lived longer than people who didn't. Isn't that what you want and expect from your health care provider? Things you can do immediately to help reduce your stress: 1.      Meditate, take up Yoga, Exercise, find time for yourself at least 15 minutes 2 times per day. 2.      Get to bed by 10:00 pm.  You need more sleep then you are presently getting.  This is a critical time for your adrenal glands to recuperate and your growth hormones to produce an ever younger you. 3.       Drink a glass of water upon rising and eat within 1 hour of getting up in the morning. 4.       Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. 5.       Avoid excess stress and extra obligations. 6.       Engage in regular exercise such as walking, yoga, or tai chi and be sure to include the most important activity, weight lifting for increasing lean body mass. Enjoy Life...Dance, Sing, Laugh!