Gastro-Intestinal Health
Expert Knowledge | Comprehensive Approach | Personalized CareRestore Balance to Your Body and Life.
GI Health
Cutting-edge advances have unveiled a vital link between poor gut health and a range of illnesses. At Inspirit Functional Health and Wellness, we place a strong emphasis on comprehensive gut health, delving deep into advanced testing and targeted gut therapies to restore your body’s equilibrium. We treat a myriad of conditions with our specialized approach, highlighting that your path to wellness could start in your gut. Some conditions we manage include:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the large intestine, causing symptoms like cramping, bloating, gas, and irregular bowel habits. Functional medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes such as dietary triggers, stress, or gut microbiome imbalances. Personalized strategies in nutrition, lifestyle modification, and stress management can manage symptoms, promote gut health, and enhance overall well-being.
Heartburn/GERD/Reflux
Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), involves a burning discomfort or acid reflux due to stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. Functional medicine investigates potential root causes like diet, obesity, or gut health imbalances. Through personalized dietary alterations, weight management strategies, and lifestyle changes, functional medicine can help manage GERD symptoms and restore digestive health.
Constipation, diarrhea
Constipation and diarrhea involve irregular bowel movements, either infrequent or too frequent, often associated with discomfort. Functional medicine explores root causes such as dietary habits, hydration, stress, or gut microbiome imbalances. By customizing diet, lifestyle, hydration, and possibly supplement interventions, functional medicine can help regulate bowel function and improve digestive health.
Dysbiosis and microbiota imbalance
Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the gut microbiota, affecting digestion and potentially linked to various health issues. Functional medicine identifies triggers like poor diet, stress, or antibiotic overuse. Through personalized dietary adjustments, probiotics, prebiotics, and lifestyle modifications, functional medicine aims to restore the gut’s microbial balance, promoting better digestion and overall health.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition where excessive bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, and malabsorption. Functional medicine probes into potential causes such as slow gut motility or anatomical issues. Customized interventions including dietary changes, prokinetics, and sometimes antibiotics or herbal antimicrobials, aim to manage SIBO, restore gut balance, and improve overall health.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, and weight loss. Functional medicine examines root causes including genetic predispositions, environmental factors, or gut microbiome imbalances. Personalized interventions such as dietary changes, stress management, and specific supplements aim to manage symptoms, potentially reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life.
Colitis
Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. Functional medicine delves into root causes like infections, autoimmune responses, or imbalances in gut microbiota. Through personalized dietary adjustments, stress management techniques, and targeted supplements, functional medicine can help manage symptoms, potentially reduce inflammation, and enhance gut health.
Anxiety/Depression
Anxiety and depression are mental health disorders characterized by excessive worry or persistent feelings of sadness, respectively. Functional medicine investigates root causes such as hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, or gut-brain axis dysregulation. Personalized interventions including nutritional changes, stress management techniques, physical activity, and potentially targeted supplements can help manage symptoms, improve mood, and support overall mental well-being.
Comprehensive Approach:
A comprehensive approach in healthcare is vital as it recognizes our body’s interconnectedness. Rather than isolating symptoms or body parts, it considers the interaction of biological systems, lifestyle, environment, and emotional health. This holistic perspective identifies root causes, enabling personalized care and enhancing treatment efficacy. It encourages overall wellness and preventive care, essential for sustainable health and vitality.
Accurate Diagnosis:
Accurate diagnosis is key in effective healthcare, providing a roadmap for treatment and the patient’s health journey. Instead of merely addressing symptoms, it uncovers health issues’ root causes, considering the complex interplay of biological systems, environmental influences, and lifestyle habits. Utilizing comprehensive medical histories, advanced diagnostics, and personalized assessments, it offers critical insights into a patient’s unique health. This clarity enables tailored treatment plans that tackle underlying issues, boosting therapeutic success and improving long-term health outcomes.
Personalized Treatment:
Personalized treatment is integral to effective healthcare, recognizing each individual’s unique health profile. It understands varying responses to treatment based on genetics, lifestyle, environmental exposure, and psychological health. Instead of a universal strategy, it provides tailored interventions to address a patient’s specific health root causes. Considering individual symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences, this patient-centric approach enhances treatment compliance and outcomes. Such customization boosts care effectiveness, supports symptom resolution, overall well-being, preventive care, and promotes a balanced, healthier life.
The Inspirit Process:
At Inspirit Health and Wellness, we are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health through our comprehensive 5-step process. Begin your journey towards a healthier, more vibrant life by scheduling a consultation with us today.
Step 1: 30-Minute Complimentary Consult
During your initial consultation, we will discuss your health concerns, goals, and medical history in detail. This conversation allows us to understand your unique needs and develop a comprehensive understanding of your health status.
Step 2: Functional Lab Testing
We will conduct advanced functional lab testing to gain insights into your body’s unique biochemistry. These tests help us identify the root causes of your health issues and provide a detailed understanding of your body’s current state.
Step 3: Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on the information gathered from the initial consultation and lab tests, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan will focus on addressing the root causes of your health concerns, promoting overall wellness, and preventing future issues.
Step 4: Ongoing Support and Monitoring
We are committed to providing ongoing support throughout your health journey. We will monitor your progress, make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed, and provide guidance to help you achieve your health goals. Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain lasting wellness.
Step 5: Achieving Optimal Health
As you follow your personalized treatment plan, you will start to experience improvements in your health and well-being. We will celebrate your successes and continue to work together to help you maintain optimal health, prevent future issues, and enjoy a vibrant, fulfilling life.
Patient Education
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is a patient-centered, science-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. It examines the unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors influencing each patient’s health and tailors treatments accordingly, rather than solely managing symptoms.
How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?
While conventional medicine often treats symptoms and diseases in isolation, functional medicine takes a holistic approach, focusing on the body as an interconnected system. Functional medicine practitioners spend more time with patients, delving into their histories and looking at interactions among genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that can influence chronic diseases.
What conditions can be treated with functional medicine?
Functional medicine can help manage a wide range of health issues, including chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and mental health issues. It can also be beneficial for individuals dealing with digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue, allergies, and many other health problems.
What can I expect during a functional medicine consultation?
During a functional medicine consultation, the practitioner will take a thorough history and may order comprehensive testing to gain a detailed understanding of your health. They will look at various aspects of your life, including nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep habits, and more. Together, you’ll create a personalized treatment plan that focuses on diet, lifestyle changes, stress management, detoxification, nutritional supplements, and if necessary, medications.
Is functional medicine covered by insurance?
Inspirit operates on a self-pay basis, which means that payment is due at the time of service. Although we do not directly accept insurance, we can provide you with an itemized receipt which you may submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement, depending on the specifics of your plan. It’s always a good idea to contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage for out-of-network healthcare services before starting treatment.
My Commitment:
I believe that each patient’s health journey is a unique and intricate story. Just as I’ve woven together diverse threads of medical expertise, research, and forensic science throughout my career, I aim to connect the dots within each individual’s health narrative to reveal the root cause of their health challenges.
In my practice, I leverage my extensive knowledge from the ICU and Urgent Care environments, as well as my investigative background in forensic medicine, to take a truly comprehensive, analytical approach to health care. Instead of just treating symptoms, I delve deep into understanding how your lifestyle, genetics, and environment influence your well-being. My forensic science experience has taught me the value of thorough, meticulous inquiry, and I bring this mindset to every patient interaction.
As a functional medicine practitioner, I strive to create a collaborative and compassionate space where your unique health story is heard and respected. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of your health, formulating a personalized treatment plan to restore balance, enhance resilience, and guide you towards optimal wellness.
I am committed to empowering you with the knowledge and tools you need to reclaim control of your health and live your life to the fullest. I look forward to walking with you on your journey to improved health, balance, and vitality.
Liz Spicer, MS, DNP
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