How to Find Functional Diabetes Treatment in Colorado Springs
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in our modern world. According to the CDC, 37.3 million adults in the United States have diabetes, and 20% are unaware of their condition. This disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and leads to many other health complications: kidney failure, amputations, and blindness.
Doctors regularly treat patients with diabetes, but the number of those suffering from diabetes has actually doubled over the past 50 years. With diabetes only growing worse, many people are turning to functional medicine, the holistic and full-body approach that enables the body to heal itself.
The Diabetes Rundown
There are four main types of diabetes, and the good news is that functional medicine is effective in helping patients with each type.
Type 1 Diabetes: The body is unable to produce any insulin, most likely resulting from an autoimmune disorder. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have Type 1, and most of them are youths and adolescents. These people take artificial insulin, as the body is unable to produce any on its own.
Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes, where the body is unable to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It has no warning symptoms and is often found in adults. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even cured with lifestyle changes.
Gestational Diabetes: A type of diabetes that develops in pregnant women with no former history of having diabetes. After giving birth, gestational diabetes usually goes away, but women and their babies have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes: a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Over 33% of adults in Colorado Springs and elsewhere have blood sugar levels that are too high, and over 80% of those people are unaware of this condition. Thankfully, lifestyle changes can stabilize your blood sugar and reduce the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and Functional Medicine
Picture your body like an iceberg: there’s more beneath the surface than you can see. Your physical state of health is not something to be managed with medication. It’s a reflection of your body’s entire wellbeing.
The functional medicine philosophy views the body as an interconnected system of parts, a lot like gears in a machine that work together. If one gear is rusted or off track, the entire machine won’t work properly.
Functional medicine doctors help identify and treat the deeper cause behind a health issue like diabetes. Most people suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which thankfully can be effectively treated with proper lifestyle changes. Functional medicine can improve the symptoms of chronic Type 1 diabetes and improve overall quality of life. The doctors at True Life Medicine in Colorado Springs also put a large emphasis on preventative care, so those with prediabetes will be less likely to escalate to Type 2 diabetes.
Working with a True Life Functional Medicine Doctor
If you’ve pursued diabetes treatment in the past, you probably wound up feeling frustrated and hopeless. Functional medicine doctors are here to empower you and help you see results once and for all.
When it comes to treating diabetes in Colorado Springs, a functional medicine doctor will address many different aspects of health.
Nutrition. For those with Type 2 diabetes, an unbalanced and highly processed diet makes it even harder for the body to produce enough insulin. A functional medicine doctor will assess your current diet and develop a nutrition plan 100% unique to your situation. Foods high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber are essential for diabetes patients, as well as healthy amounts of whole grains.
Gut health. The gut microbiome influences every aspect of health, from bloating to headaches to mental health. Most of us have imbalanced gut bacteria. Since the body is so interconnected, it’s important to make sure the gut is properly balanced and that your body is getting all the bacteria it needs. Your functional medicine doctor will run tests to determine your gut health, and through nutrition and supplements work to get your body properly aligned.
Hormones. Most of our hormones—like insulin—are out of whack due to stress, poor nutrition, environment, and a variety of other factors. Most functional medicine doctors specialize in hormone health and work with their patients to identify and treat any hormones that aren’t functioning properly.
Sleep. Getting enough sleep is one of the most important ways to allow the body to heal, and we all could use more sleep! Your functional medicine doctor will help you track current sleep patterns and work on getting enough sleep. For example, this may look like lowering your cortisol (stress) hormone levels, which illustrates how the body is a complex, interconnected system.
Stress. Excess stress inflames the body and weakens the immune system. Functional medicine doctors will help you identify areas of day-to-day stress and address mental health conditions—such as anxiety or depression.
Environment. Sometimes you may feel like you’re doing all the “right” things when there’s really a major problem in your external environment. We may think Colorado Springs provides a clean, natural mountain environment, but exposure to toxic chemicals, poor air quality, and mold are just a few examples of external factors that affect how well your body operates—including producing enough insulin.
Find Effective Diabetes Treatment in Colorado Springs
If you have diabetes, you may have been told that your future will look like managing symptoms for the rest of your life. But what if we told you there’s hope for healing? Functional medicine doctors are here to help you achieve just that.
At True Life Medicine, we provide diabetes treatment in Colorado Springs. We view healthcare as a lasting partnership. We want to advocate for your health and help you find results that truly last. But we’re not just about treating patients… we’re working together toward a better state of health for a lifetime.
Here’s what our process looks like: first, you’ll schedule a free 15-minute discovery call for us to get to know you, your situation, and your goals. Then you’ll have an in-depth consultation with Dr. James, followed by a healthcare plan that’s 100% personal to you. Thus begins our doctor-patient partnership toward your true, thriving life.
Are you looking for diabetes treatment in Colorado Springs? Take the first step today by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation and see how we can get you started on your journey to better health.
