How Phoenix Functional Medicine Helps to Prevent the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes

Over 37 million Americans are living with diabetes today. Of those living with the disease, 90-95% have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

With those numbers expected to rise in the coming years, type 2 diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States. Luckily, we know that when the appropriate interventions are made, type 2 diabetes is a preventable, treatable, and sometimes even reversible disease. At Novis Health in Phoenix, we take a functional medicine approach to treating type 2 diabetes and support our patients by creating custom treatment plans that help to improve their overall health and quality of life.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin, a hormone generated by the pancreas, circulates through the bloodstream to convert glucose into energy. The body uses what it needs immediately and stores the rest, usually in the form of fat, to be used at a later time when more fuel is needed. Insulin allows the body to utilize the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins you consume, which means it is essential for survival. Insulin keeps all of the systems of the body running smoothly, and without it they would not be able to function.

If your body is no longer creating adequate amounts of insulin, your cells will no longer respond to this vital hormone. When this happens, you experience insulin resistance, prompting your body to produce even more insulin in an attempt to get the cells to respond to it. Over time, the pancreas cannot keep up with the demand for insulin, which leads to elevated blood sugar levels that result in prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. For some individuals, symptoms take a while to develop and may even take years to show up. Some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Blurry vision
• Slow wound healing
• Thirst
• Chronic infections
• Fatigue
• Excessive urination

Some of the most prevalent risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes are:

• Inactivity
• Excess weight or obesity
• Excess consumption of processed foods
• Being over the age of 45
• Elevated blood pressure
• Genetic predisposition

The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes are sometimes difficult to pinpoint, so working with a knowledgeable practitioner is critical if you are experiencing any of the most common symptoms. Working with a functional medicine practitioner will help you identify the root cause of your symptoms, and create a personalized treatment plan to prevent the progression of your type 2 diabetes and enhance your quality of life.

Functional Medicine: An Effective Way to Prevent the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes

The conventional method of medicine views the patient as a series of individual body parts. They have specialists that treat each part such as a cardiologist for the heart, a gastroenterologist for the digestive system, or a podiatrist for the foot. This structure is set up as more of a disease and symptom management system, typically relying on prescription medications to mask symptoms so that the patient can experience a better quality of life.

By contrast, functional medicine takes a more integrative approach to a patient’s health by viewing them as one whole person and understanding that the parts of the body work together as one interconnected system. Practitioners understand that there are a variety of factors – such as your environment, emotional health, and lifestyle habits – that all play vital roles in your overall health and wellbeing.

From this standpoint, functional medicine practitioners are able to uncover the underlying causes of your symptoms that are impacting your health and quality of life.

Treating Type 2 Diabetes by Identifying the Root Cause

Conventional medicine usually approaches type 2 diabetes treatment by using prescription medication to alleviate the symptoms. This method is the equivalent of putting a bandaid on a bullet wound. While prescription medication may offer short-term relief, it is not addressing the underlying health issue that caused your type 2 diabetes to develop in the first place. Not only do medications simply mask the symptoms, but they often come with a myriad of side effects that can make the patient feel even worse than they did before they began their treatment.

Functional medicine approaches type 2 diabetes by first identifying the root cause to slow its progression. Treating type 2 diabetes this way ensures that patients achieve lasting results, fewer side effects, and improved quality of life.

At Novis Health, we treat type 2 diabetes in Phoenix by taking a patient-focused approach using treatment plans that are backed by scientific evidence. We usually begin with lab tests that will tell us more about your overall health, and what may be causing your type 2 diabetes. Some of the most common underlying causes include:

• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• Thyroid imbalance
• Nutrient deficiencies 
• Thyroid issues
• Liver dysfunction
• Imbalanced hormones
• Inflammation
• Elevated stress hormones
• Gastrointestinal conditions

Once we have more answers from your lab results, we dig even deeper into your emotional and mental well-being to uncover any other potential issues that could be contributing to your symptoms. We will then create a personalized treatment plan to address your insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. 

Losing Hope for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment? Visit Novis Health Phoenix

At Novis Health in Phoenix, we develop customized diet and lifestyle changes that will help stabilize your blood sugar. We typically begin with concentrating on incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your diet, avoiding highly processed foods, and reducing the consumption of refined sugars and carbohydrates. In many cases, we will also recommend practical exercise plans that are designed to improve insulin resistance and go hand-in-hand with your new dietary changes.
To begin your personalized treatment plan for preventing the progression of type 2 diabetes, contact the team at Novis Health in Phoenix to schedule a consultation today!