Have you ever felt uneasy and unheard sitting across from your doctor, clutching a list of ‘normal’ test results, yet feeling deep down that something isn’t right? This was my reality back in 2017, marking a decade of unexplained fatigue. Despite being diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia and enduring a gamut of tests that invariably returned “normal,” my health continued to spiral. Each affirmation of my “excellent” blood work felt more like a dismissal of my pain and exhaustion, minimizing the real and persistent symptoms I was experiencing.
My medical team was dedicated and thorough, yet when my health took a dramatic downturn, it became painfully clear: the conventional approach to my symptoms was failing to address the underlying cause. This realization was a turning point, highlighting a crucial gap in my care and understanding of wellness. Health, I learned, is not merely the absence of disease as confirmed by standard tests. What is needed is a comprehensive holistic view of the physical body as well as the lifestyle, environmental, mental and emotional factors that influence health.
A Path Not Taken: What I Would Do Differently
When standard medical tests fail to uncover the source of health issues, it is crucial not to accept these results as the final verdict on your well-being. Looking back, early on I would not have passively accepted assurances of being “fine” and hope for the best. From the earliest part of my health issues, I would have listened more intently to the subtle cues my body was sending, pushing for answers beyond the standard diagnostic tests. Yet I stayed squarely inside the box that western medicine with all its modern advances provides. My journey taught me that despite a comprehensive exploration of physiological factors, important aspects of my lifestyle that impacted how I live, think and feel were overlooked. Here is how I envision a shift toward a more holistic, root cause approach:
Acknowledge the Big Picture:
I know what I am about to day may be controversial. There is an expectation gap between what we expect from healthcare and what is provided in practice. Many allopathic doctors are not practicing the art of healing. They are practicing diagnosing and prescribing. I would have expanded my possibilities beyond the confines of traditional medicine and empowered myself with knowledge about holistic and root cause medicine. The body does not operate as a collection of isolated systems. Too often, our healthcare journey involves being referred to a variety of specialists, each tasked with examining distinct parts of our body.
All along my journey I felt that something was being missed from this segmented approach. My doctors were missing the forest for the trees, failing to see how these parts influence and interact with each other. A holistic doctor approaches health with this interconnectedness in mind, focusing not on treating individual symptoms in isolation but on resetting and harmonizing all the body’s systems to work together efficiently. This comprehensive approach ensures that treatments address the root causes of health issues, promoting overall well-being and resetting imbalances.
Embracing a Team Approach to Wellness:
It is highly probable that your path to wellness will involve consulting with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare and lifestyle professionals, combining the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based alternative therapies. This integrative approach ensures you receive the highest level of support through a comprehensive approach tailored to all dimensions of your health, from physical to mental and emotional well-being.
Navigating through health challenges also often means collaborating with a variety of providers to find what works best for you. It’s important to embrace this journey with resilience. Each attempt that doesn’t yield the desired outcome isn’t a failure but a step closer to understanding your health better. Reflecting on Edison’s perseverance, “I haven’t failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Consider each experience a valuable lesson in discovering the next step on your path to wellness. This mindset turns the process into a constructive quest, where every outcome, regardless of its immediate success, contributes to a deeper understanding of what your body needs to heal and thrive.
Become an Active Participant in Your Health Journey:
Share all concerns with your healthcare providers, exploring all potential factors contributing to your symptoms, not just the ones that are easiest to measure or medicate. This could mean discussing the impact of stress, environmental factors, diet, exercise, and personal relationships on your health. Notice and make notes on the triggers and patterns that coincide with health issues and discuss these with your doctor. This comprehensive view can help an astute provider that focuses on root cause medicine uncover hidden contributors to health issues.
Embrace Your Expertise:
No one knows your body like you do. I would have embraced my role as the expert on my body, diving deep into research on fatigue and its myriad causes. Every treatment or supplement would have been scrutinized for benefits and potential side effects, ensuring I was considering all relevant information and making informed decisions at every turn. With all due respect to the many caring and hardworking healthcare professionals, placing complete trust in a healthcare provider is no longer an option for me. I view my healthcare providers as trusted advisors, but if something isn’t working or leaves me with questions after having an open dialogue about my concerns, it is my cue to search for new information or different perspectives. A partnership approach is essential— where both parties contribute equally in the health journey.
In retrospect, my journey through the maze of conventional healthcare taught me the importance of self-advocacy and a holistic view of health. For those currently navigating similar challenges: you are the most informed advocate for your health. Demand the care you deserve, step beyond what you believe are the current possibilities, explore all avenues of treatment, and always, always listen to your body.
Health shouldn’t be merely surviving. And sometimes, that journey begins not with a new prescription, but with a new perspective.
Important Information: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While health coaching can support and enhance overall wellness, it is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health objectives. This blog aims to empower you with knowledge and tools to improve your general well-being and help you make informed decisions about your health, but it is not designed to replace professional medical or mental health services.
About the Author
Heather Budd is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, trained by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. She specializes in guiding individuals through lifestyle transformations to manage chronic illness and combat fatigue. With a diverse background in business, leadership and a profound personal health journey, Heather empowers clients to reclaim their health and extend their health span.