Dr. Akshita Mamania Mehta
Functional medicine practitioner & nutritionist
How often have we popped antacids or painkillers and thought it's absolutely normal to do so? Yes, once in a while won’t do much harm, but what if it is happening too often? Just because those medicines make it go away-does that make it ok to ignore these problems? Is it ok to fall sick with every weather change just because everyone around is also falling sick?
Common symptoms like headaches, acidity or frequent colds may seem trivial, but they could be your body signalling a larger underlying problem. This root cause, if not addressed, will simply pop up as another symptom on another day, and suddenly you find yourself dealing with a much larger problem years later.
Functional medicine, established in the US and some European countries for over a decade, has recently gained traction in India with a handful of trained doctors. Globally, for millions of patients, this research-backed approach has been a ray of hope in cases where allopathy/conventional medicine failed to provide solutions and also a sigh of relief for those who were told “You are fine, your reports are normal”, except they never really felt normal.
Comparison with Conventional Medicine Approach: Functional medicine considers the whole person, including lifestyle, genetics, and environment and taps into the inherent healing potential of the body. It identifies root causes through comprehensive blood tests, deep dives into current symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history, allowing for more targeted, long-term treatment plans. Conventional medicine often focuses just on specific symptoms or organ systems and is targeted to mask the problem rather than correcting it.
Treatment: Functional medicine emphasizes personalized care plans including dietary changes, nutritional and herbal supplements, and lifestyle modifications (all under one roof!). Conventional medicine typically relies more on pharmaceutical drugs and standardized treatment protocols.
Who Can Benefit
• Those with chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and heart disease
• People struggling with weight management
• Those dealing with hormonal imbalances, including PCOS, infertility, difficult menopause, etc.
• People with skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis
• Individuals with digestive problems
• Patients whose conditions haven't responded well to conventional treatments
• Individuals seeking preventive care and optimal wellness
Relevance in Today's World
Functional medicine addresses key healthcare challenges:
• Rising rates of chronic diseases requiring comprehensive approaches
• Growing demand for personalized healthcare solutions
• Need for more effective preventive strategies
By integrating the best of traditional healing systems and modern, evidence-based medicine approach, functional medicine offers a promising model for addressing complex health issues and promoting long-term wellness.
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