Aug 12 2024 12 mins
In this episode, Dr. Paul Anderson clarifies the distinction between diseases and functional health issues, helping you understand how each impacts your health and well-being. He covers:
- Defining Disease: Explanation of what constitutes a disease, including its diagnosis, pathology, and how it typically involves structural changes in the body, such as infections, cancers, and chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Understanding Functional Health Issues: Overview of functional health issues, which may not have a clear-cut diagnosis but involve imbalances or dysfunctions in the body’s systems, such as chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and digestive issues.
- How They Differ: Key differences between diseases and functional health issues, including how they are identified, treated, and managed.
- Diagnosis and Testing: Discussion on the diagnostic processes for both diseases and functional health issues, including the use of lab tests, imaging, and symptom analysis.
- Treatment Approaches: Comparison of treatment strategies:
- Disease Treatment: Typically involves targeted therapies like medications, surgery, or other medical interventions aimed at eradicating or managing the disease.
- Functional Health Treatment: Often focuses on holistic approaches, including diet, lifestyle changes, stress management, and natural therapies to restore balance and improve overall function.
- Integrative Approaches: How to combine conventional medical treatments with functional medicine principles to address both disease and functional health issues comprehensively.
- Case Studies: Real-life examples of how patients with either diseases or functional health issues have been treated and managed successfully.
- Empowering Health Choices: Advice on how to navigate healthcare options, understand your own health better, and make informed decisions about treatment and lifestyle.