Functional Medicine Doctors Treat Men’s Whole Health – Prosperity Health | Functional Medicine Doctor

Functional Medicine Doctors Help Men Live Longer, Healthier Lives

It’s an unfortunate fact that men are significantly more likely to ignore their health than women. Studies show time and again that men are less likely to schedule regular check-ups and are often more hesitant to address health issues in a timely fashion.

And when men do look for a doctor, it is usually to address a specific symptom or complaint – rather than for a check up or preventive health care. A 2020 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that men were less likely than women to have a regular doctor – with 78% of women having a regular doctor compared to only 67% of men.

And a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that men were less likely than women to have seen a healthcare provider in the past year for a preventive care visit. And the National Institute on Aging determined that men were less likely than women to talk to a doctor about their health.

But functional medicine doctors like Nishath Hakim, MD in Royal Oak offer an approach that shift the men’s healthcare narrative by offering a comfortable environment where men can discuss and manage all of their health concerns and obtain personalized medical treatment.

Functional medicine is as an approach that emphasizes comprehensive, individualized, “whole person” medical care. Unlike traditional medicine, functional medicine focuses on addressing the root causes of health issues, promoting overall well-being rather than just managing symptoms. Additionally, by looking at the whole person, men’s functional medicine doctors emphasize early intervention and prevention that can help avoid serious disease and head off long-term health.

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a patient-centered, science-based approach that aims to uncover the underlying causes of diseases. It views the body as an interconnected system, understanding that imbalances in one area can affect the entire body. By addressing the root causes, Functional Medicine strives to restore balance and optimize health.

Men’s functional medicine doctors adopt a personalized perspective, recognizing that each individual is unique. The focus is on looking at the patient and their body as a whole, considering factors such as lifestyle, genetics, environment, and nutrition.

Men’s functional medicine doctors take an integrative approach, merging traditional medicine and conventional medical treatments with newer, evidenced-based therapies that can restore balance to the body for increased vitality and quality of life, while reducing the risk factors for diseases like heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and more. The emphasis is on treating the whole person rather than just “putting a band aid” on isolated symptoms, fostering optimal health and preventing future issues.

Men’s Functional Medicine Doctors: Thorough Diagnosis

A hallmark of functional medicine is its reliance on advanced testing to gain deep insights into a patient’s health. This includes thorough lab work, blood tests, and specialized nutritional or gut testing. Lab tests might include assessing hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, and markers of inflammation. Blood work helps in understanding the physiological status of various organs and systems. Nutritional and gut testing, such as Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GMAP), aids in evaluating the gut microbiome, identifying imbalances, and guiding dietary interventions.

Men’s Functional Medicine Doctors: Personalized Treatment Plans

Functional medicine doctors for men, like Nishath Hakim, MD in Royal Oak, craft individualized treatment plans based on the results of these comprehensive tests and assessments. Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, these plans are tailored to address the specific needs of each man. In addition to traditional medications or treatments where required, Dr. Hakim may implement hormone balancing, dietary changes, supplements, lifestyle modifications, or alternative therapies, to restore balance and promote long-term health, vitality and well-being.

Men’s Functional Medicine Doctors: Empowering Patients

Men’s functional medicine doctors prioritize patient education and empowerment. They collaborate with men to understand their health goals and challenges, encouraging active participation in each man’s wellness journey. This collaborative relationship empowers men to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle, fostering a sense of ownership over their well-being.

The men’s functional medicine approach at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, transcends conventional medical practices. It involves working with the patient to identify any and all areas of their life that “aren’t working” – physical, mental, sexual, and even appearance concerns – so that the man can get his life back on track and enjoy every day now and for years to come.

Conditions Men’s Functional Medicine Doctors Treat

Cardiac & Cardiovascular Disease

Men face a significantly higher risk of heart disease and heart attacks than women. Functional medicine doctors like Dr. Hakim in Royal Oak specialize in advanced cardiac health techniques such as the Bale-Doneen Method, which focuses on preventing heart attacks through early detection and personalized treatment.

Metabolic Syndrome

Functional medicine addresses metabolic syndrome comprehensively. By examining factors like insulin resistance, obesity, and high blood pressure, doctors create personalized plans to improve metabolic health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Sexual Performance & Health

Declining testosterone levels, often referred to as “Low T,” can impact sexual performance and overall vitality. At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim offers Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) to address low testosterone and other hormonal imbalances – enhancing sexual health, increasing sexual drive, and improving sexual performance.

Weight Loss

Functional medicine doctors specializing in men’s health recognize the importance of weight management. BHRT not only improves sexual health, but also helps men lose unwanted body fat while also increasing lean muscle mass.

And, given the prevalence of obesity-related conditions, Dr. Hakim also often incorporates cutting-edge weight loss treatments like Semaglutide (known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy). This medication helps in weight loss by reducing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels.

Men’s functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD works closely with male patients to develop personalized weight loss plans that go beyond generic advice, addressing the unique, individual underlying factors that are contributing to their weight gain.

Stress Management

Stress is a significant factor in men’s health, impacting both physical and mental well-being. DR. Hakim also assists her male patients with stress management strategies that encompass lifestyle modifications, mindfulness practices, and, when necessary, targeted supplements or medications. Addressing stress comprehensively contributes to overall health, by reducing the risk of stress-related conditions such as inflammation and other imbalances that lead to disease.

Gut Health & Vitality / Energy

Functional Medicine doctors understand the crucial role that gut health plays in overall vitality and energy levels. At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim conducts comprehensive testing, such as Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus (GMAP), to assess the gut microbiome. By identifying food intolerances, nutritional imbalances, and problems with the gut biome she can create a tailored plan to optimize gut health. This, in turn, positively influences energy levels, vitality, and overall health.

Younger Appearance

Recognizing that looking as good on the outside as you feel on the inside is an important component of well-being, Dr. Hakim also offers a range of natural men’s aesthetic treatments. From dermal fillers like Juvéderm, to Botox and Xeomin, to Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and microneedling, Prosperity Health provides men options to address wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Men’s Functional Medicine Doctor | Royal Oak

Men’s functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD does not just manage symptoms – she optimizes the body’s entire system so that everything functions in balance. Beginning with comprehensive diagnostic testing and then developing a personalized treatment plan – from weight management to stress reduction, testosterone replacement, and gut health optimization – Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, is committed to providing personalized men’s healthcare that empowers you to prevent disease and achieve your health and wellness goals – so you can live with vitality at every age.