As a functional medicine provider, I have had the privilege of guiding numerous patients on their path to better health. One of these patients is Jenny, whose story exemplifies the power of perseverance and the significance of identifying the underlying cause of one's health issues.
When Jenny first came to UDemand Health, she had been battling digestive problems for over 15 years. What began as bothersome symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and bloating had gradually consumed her life. Despite her efforts to control her symptoms through dietary modifications and medical treatments, her condition only appeared to deteriorate. The impact on her social life was substantial, as she found it progressively more challenging to spend time with friends and family due to the abrupt appearance of symptoms and the difficulties of managing a limited diet. Feeling isolated and discouraged, Jenny increasingly stayed home, feeling like she was losing control over her life.
Prior to seeking my help, Jenny had consulted with several medical professionals, including her primary care physician, a gastroenterologist, and an allergist. She received a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and adhered to the FOD MAP diet, underwent a food allergy test, and removed gluten and dairy from her diet. Despite these measures, her symptoms persisted, leaving her feeling helpless. She was even diagnosed with anxiety and depression and given medication that failed to provide relief. Jenny felt lost and started to question herself, wondering if her symptoms were purely psychological.
Numerous tests, such as blood work, an EGD, a colonoscopy, and even a stool test requested by her gastroenterologist, all returned "normal" results. Jenny had reached her breaking point, exhausted and feeling like she had hit rock bottom. She recognized that there had to be a more effective way to manage her symptoms, but the current path she was on seemed to offer no solutions.
When Jenny initially visited me, I attentively listened to her story and her symptoms. I ordered a comprehensive functional stool test, which revealed that she had severe small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), the underlying cause of her symptoms. This revelation provided Jenny with hope and a starting point for genuine healing.
Together, we crafted a personalized healing plan to address the bacterial overgrowth, restore her normal flora, and support her pancreas and gallbladder function with digestive enzymes. I taught Jenny breathing techniques to reestablish her gut-brain communication, meal-time awareness techniques to assist her body in producing digestive enzymes, and stress management and sleep strategies essential to her healing process. Gradually, her immune system recovered, her abdominal pain diminished, and she was able to slowly reintroduce her favorite foods. Over time, she was able to discontinue her anxiety and stomach medications, feeling like herself once again.
Before discovering the root cause of her SIBO, Jenny felt frustrated, isolated, and anxious about what she could or could not eat. But through her healing journey, she regained her strength and health, enjoying regular meals with friends and family without the fear of sudden symptoms. She celebrated her freedom from constant bathroom awareness, which had previously restricted her travels and social activities.
Jenny's story resonates deeply with me, as it reminds me of my own family's health challenges and the journey that led me to become a functional medicine provider. My path began with my then six-year-old son, who suffered greatly from severe asthma, allergies, and eczema. I struggled to balance his medications to control his symptoms while trying not to overly sedate him so he could enjoy life. In October 2001, he fell ill once again, requiring more steroids. The medical community told me there was nothing else they could do for him, but I knew in my heart that there had to be a better way. After much prayer and research, we discovered he suffered from leaky gut syndrome. We began our healing journey, and just two months after intensively treating his leaky gut, he was free of all his inhalers and allergy medications. He is now a healthy young man with no signs of asthma or eczema. This experience inspired me to dedicate my career to helping others find the root cause of their symptoms.
At UDemand Health, I offer a personalized approach through functional lab testing to unravel each individual's unique health story. By identifying and eliminating obstacles to healing, I help my patients allow their bodies to heal themselves naturally. I firmly believe that healing is what our bodies are designed to do, and with the appropriate guidance and support, anyone can achieve optimal health and wellness. Jenny's story is just one example of the countless lives that have been transformed through the power of functional medicine.
