What To Do When Symptoms Keep Coming Back
When it comes to our health, it’s not new news to hear that diet and lifestyle change is at the top of the list. But what do we do when it seems like symptoms keep coming back? Or when you just get over one thing and the next new thing pops up? What to do when you can’t seem to keep health longterm?
There are many reasons why your symptoms may be changing over time. Some possible explanations include:
Progression of an underlying condition: Depending on the underlying condition, symptoms may change or worsen over time as the disease progresses.
Environmental or lifestyle changes: Changes in your environment or lifestyle can also impact your symptoms. For example, if you have allergies, changes in the season or exposure to new allergens may cause symptoms to flare up.
Medication side effects: Certain medications can cause side effects, which may include changes in symptoms
Psychological factors: Emotional or psychological stress can manifest in physical symptoms that may change over time.
And last but not least: Misdiagnosis or undiagnosed conditions: If your symptoms are changing or persisting despite treatment, it's possible that the underlying condition has not been accurately diagnosed or that there is an additional undiagnosed condition.
Drop the Bandaids and Pick Up the Keys
The conversation for this blog was sparked by a client who dropped her purse. When we were both picking up the items to put back in the bag, I noticed she picked up both bandaids and keys. I suddenly had an answer to the question she started our appointment with.
When we first sat down, she had told me that she tried some products someone highly recommended and she wondered what I thought of them. I reminded her that when she first came to me, one statement she made was, “I feel like I’ve tried everything, and everything seemed to work, but only for a few times.”
So I told her it really was about what her goals were. I told her, “It’s time to drop the bandaids and start picking up the keys.”
It’s likely the new products will help her feel better, (the bandaid) but I wondered if they were the right answer for the long term the keys).
Here’s why:
When we take something new for a symptom we are currently experiencing, the body may rise to the occasion, and lap it up, loving the new nutrients. But over time, it doesn’t seem to work. Why is that? It’s easy to chase the shiny new thing that’s going to fix “what’s wrong”, but it’s only fixing WHAT YOU NOTICE. It’s not fixing THE CAUSE, which hasn’t been identified yet.
When something doesn’t work long term, it’s because it worked on the symptom, not on the root of the problem. The symptom will “heal” and the next, seemingly different, thing will pop up in its place. We chase these symptoms around, not realizing that they could be connected to the same root.
Whats the Difference Between Root Cause and Symptoms?
The root cause of a problem is the underlying issue or condition that is responsible for causing the symptoms. Symptoms, on the other hand, are the physical or mental manifestations of the problem. In other words, symptoms are the outward signs that there is a problem, while the root cause is the underlying issue that is driving those symptoms.
For example, if someone is experiencing persistent headaches, the headaches are the symptoms, and the root cause could be any number of underlying issues such as stress, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, or dehydration. While medication may help alleviate the symptoms of headaches, addressing the underlying cause of the headaches is necessary for long-term relief.
Identifying and addressing the root cause of a problem is crucial for effective treatment and long-term health. By addressing the underlying issue, it's possible to not only alleviate symptoms but also prevent the problem from recurring.
What if I don’t Want to Band Aid My Symptoms?
If you are experiencing chronic symptoms, it's important to identify and address the underlying cause rather than simply treating the symptoms as a band-aid solution. Band-aid solutions, such as taking medication to alleviate symptoms, may provide temporary relief, but they do not address the root cause of the problem and may even cause additional health problems if used over a long period.
To identify the underlying cause of chronic symptoms, it's important to consult with a health professional and undergo a thorough evaluation, which may include history, physical examination, and assessments. Once the underlying factors, imbalances, and dysfunctions are identified, a strategy plan can be developed to address the problem and promote long-term health.
And here’s the MASSIVE KEY! Instead of trying to shut down the uncomfortable symptom, let your body have a conversation with you. What is it telling you it’s needing or missing? Instead of preventing, learn to sit with the symptom and the thoughts you are thinking about it, the emotions that it brings up, and how you physically feel with it all. I guarantee, if you pay attention, your body unearths unresolved concepts, beliefs, and situations that are waiting to be addressed. You can’t ignore them as easily if they are physically in your way!
What Does ANMC Do Differently?
At ANMC, we like to fill in the “gaps” by addressing things that are not commonly addressed. This includes a timeline of events in your life, a nutritional assessment and bioenergetic cellular studies. Additional assessments such as organic acids testing, genetic and metabolic testing can help identify potential underlying causes of symptoms by providing information about metabolic processes and genetic predispositions.
Organic acids testing is a comprehensive metabolic analysis that measures organic acids in urine, providing information about how your body is functioning and processing nutrients. This information can help identify metabolic imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Genetic testing can provide information about genetic variations or mutations that may increase your risk of certain conditions or affect how your body processes certain nutrients. This information can help identify potential genetic predispositions that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Metabolic testing involves measuring the levels of various substances in your blood to assess how your body is functioning. This can provide information about nutrient deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, and other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
By combining the information obtained from these types of assessments with a comprehensive medical history and nutrition focused physical examination, our functional and clinical nutrition approach at ANMC can develop a more personalized approach to identifying and addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms. Pulled all together, we signify your experience as a whole person and pull together the thread among all of the assessments.
However, it's important to note that these tests are not diagnostic tools on their own and should be used in conjunction with other medical and lifestyle factors to inform a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing the root causes of your symptoms.
It’s okay to use symptom relievers in the short term to make your symptoms more manageable, but chasing the next “fix it” truly is a bandaid mentality. The massive key to health in the long run is to create an environment where health is the natural expression. This means continued learning, a lifestyle of growth and practicing healthy behaviors.
What Kind of Lifestyle Behaviors Create Health?
There are many behaviors that contribute to long-term health. These include a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.
Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly and maintain optimal health.
Regular physical activity has numerous health benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week.
Adequate sleep is also crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Lack of sleep can contribute to numerous health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Stress management is also important for long-term health. Chronic stress can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems, so it's essential to find ways to manage stress effectively. This can include practices such as meditation, yoga, or regular exercise.
However, If none of these have seemed to be enough, then it’s time to get a more comprehensive evaluation with a qualified professional. This way you can put down the bandaids once and for all and finally pick up the true keys to your health.
Amanda Plevell, PhD, MSCN, NMD, CNS, CNHP is a Board Certified Natural Medicine Practitioner and Clinical Nutritionist. Together with ANMC’s team of support professionals, she’s bringing the pieces of nutrition, the mind, and therapeutic ongoing relationships to the healthcare continuum. ANMC combines curated education programs with personalized plans that make it easy for anyone, anywhere to benefit from. Find out more here: anmcholistichealth.com
“Our unique offer fills in the gaps to complete your picture and provides a powerful therapeutic relationship for a complete whole health solution, because I know that our clients want to have all the pieces, education, and trust so that they can make informed decisions for themselves.”