In much of our daily lives, we often notice responses to difficult circumstances around us are mostly reactive rather than proactive. For example, a pothole may be ignored by the city until the owners of damaged cars demand it become a priority.
The same attitude is reflected in medical care. Physicians often don’t treat a patient until they are sick. Then, they are left to fix the problem instead of preventing it. And once someone has experienced an illness which could have been prevented, their body may never return to its previous state.
It is why we practice functional medicine in our Gainesville clinic. The goal is to identify and address any undiagnosed root causes of unexplained, recurring symptoms. Although those symptoms may bring only a little discomfort for the moment, if left unchecked, they could develop into something more serious. Even so-called typical inconveniences like allergies and weight gain might be the body telling you there’s something else brewing.
A holistic approach is designed to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. That can mean reducing regular instances of inflammation, such as asthma attacks, swelling, or hives. Allergic reactions can worsen over time if not properly treated and managed.
Florida knows how to prepare for bad weather. Are you treating your body the same way?
We understand the consequences of being unprepared in Gainesville, Florida. This region experiences hurricanes, tornadoes, and very hot weather. If you don’t have your exit plan ready for hurricane season, everything you own could end up floating down the street! Most of us have a direct line to the extended weather report to ensure we jump into action before we are hit hard. And we are prepared to take what we need and exit the area when it’s threatening our lives.
Yet most locals ignore the storms brewing in their own bodies. For example, allergies might not present themselves until adulthood. Adult-onset allergies are real and may indicate something else is about to emerge. A new rash of hives, or the swelling of the eyes around walnuts, could be the first wave of something bigger. Alternatively, they could be a reaction to something new in a person’s life, such as a newly prescribed medication. Allergies have also been connected to lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Even rheumatoid arthritis can be a catalyst for a painful allergic reaction. And finally, the red swelling on the skin might signal a viral or bacterial infection. An allergic response is a natural warning sign indicating that the body is trying to fight off a threat. The practice of Functional Medicine at our Gainesville clinic can help identify the underlying causes of your health concerns.