Chronic Digestive Issues FAQ
- How soon will I get better?
Some people can see instant results and improvement of the digestion just from being in our relaxing environment, eating the right food and receiving our care. The cells of the lining of the digestive tract are renewed around every 3 weeks so it’s possible to see fast results when we remove the offenders and heal the damages. Since everybody is different, it can vary from one patient to another. We need to respect your individuality and accept that sometimes it can take longer.
- Can you help me without the use of allopathic drugs?
In some cases, yes. The most common CDI diseases fair very well with our approach. Since CDI can come from multiple underlying factors (chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, heavy metal toxicity, food allergies/sensitivities, etc.) we are especially well prepared to treat them in an integrated, balanced way. - I was told I have to have part of my colon resected. What does your approach say about this?
We feel that this needs to be a last resort in the treatment of CDI. Traditionally, the role of diet and the immune system are not taken into consideration, which we find can be some of the main triggers for inflammation of the gut. Our focus is to find the underlying causes of what is causing your particular inflammation and create a treatment plan to heal the digestive tract and prevent the need for surgery.
- What do you mean when you say you practice “Functional Medicine”?
Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. - What is the importance of the integrative team approach?
The importance of this approach is that you are assessed and treated as a whole human being. Many of the health issues that we faced today are multi-faceted; there is no one definitive cause and no one cure. When a whole team of health professionals come together and make sense of the information, it is easier to see what are the underlying factors that weave together to create your unique symptoms. Once we have this clarity, dealing with it effectively is much easier.
- I just saw the dentist recently, why do I have to see one again at Sanoviv?
In our integrated approach the assessment by all the health professionals is very important. Even though all our professionals are certified and licensed by their specific profession’s Board, we go above and beyond what allopathic care practices. In regards to dental care, here we practice Biological Dentistry. This form of dentistry takes into consideration many things that traditional dentistry would not. These different paradigms and assessment tool are what sets apart from traditional care.
- I have a wide range of issues and feel overwhelmed, what can you offer me?
We will help you organize your health priorities in the order of what will have the most profound impact on getting you healthy again. We will properly assess and treat the underlying causes through the use of specialized tools and prioritize those areas where we can have the most impact. You will leave Sanoviv with a detailed plan on how to approach healing in a functional way. Think of it as your personal owner’s manual
- How soon will I feel better?
It all depends on the duration and severity of your health issues. We would ideally love to cure everyone that we treat, and we know that this is not always possible. What is possible is to determine the right path to wellness through an integrative assessment and treatment plan that will combine the best of allopathic and alternative medicine. We will work together to facilitate you being an active participant in your health and healing. With our support, you can be the hero of your healing journey.
- Will I ever stop using medication if I follow your program?
The mechanism of action of medication is mostly to block chemical reactions in the body and most of the time won’t have an impact on treating the root factor that is causing the imbalance in the body but rather to artificially maintain balance. As an example, a lot of people will take a Tylenol when they get a headache but the headache is not caused by a deficiency of Tylenol. In Sanoviv we will work together at finding what is the cause for the headache and treat it. When you come to Sanoviv, we start treating the causes of the disease and over time, the body will find its balance again. For this reason, you might start seeing changes in laboratory values and the doctor might have to start reducing the medication and reduce dosage until you reach homeostasis.
- Are you offering a cure?
It all depends on your capacity to comply and take responsibility for your health. The degree of change towards health is proportional to your willingness to make healthier choices. This will be the real cure. Everybody is different and has his or her own biochemical individuality. One guest can respond really positively to an approach which might not work for his neighbor. We can therefore not guarantee or claim curing a disease. But we can offer two things, first to assess you as the biochemically individual person that you are, and second, help you to go in the right direction for reversing these health challenges.
- Can I bring someone to help me out at Sanoviv?
Yes, you can bring a companion to support your stay. Especially since our program is based on applying lifestyle changes to support your ongoing health, bringing your spouse or significant other can be helpful as both of you can learn firsthand about these recommended changes. We require you bring a companion for support if you are very compromised and cannot get from appointment to appointment without assistance.
- What type of IVs do you use?
We use different types of IV therapy protocols depending on the type of health issues and the biochemical individuality of each guest. For a more detailed explanation of this please refer to our IV Therapy page. Our main goal with IV therapies is to provide vital nutrients to the guest, bypassing the digestive system to allow a greater absorption by the body.
- What does a typical day at Sanoviv look like?
Even though we have a set of daily activities, each schedule is different from guest to guest. We really hand tailor your treatment to best accommodate what you need to be well. Usually our days start with an hour of relaxation practices, like meditation and energy medicine class. Then a light stretching class after which you have breakfast. Afterwards, most of the therapies and consultations take place. Usually there is some time for a snack break before lunch. After lunch we have some of our afternoon classes or more therapies and sessions until dinner. After dinner we have the main class in our auditorium to end the day.
- Do I need to comeback after the end of my treatments?
Usually it takes years of detrimental lifestyle choices and habits to start showing symptoms of imbalances in the body. Regaining your health is a process and we can not expect to reverse all imbalances within a couple of weeks. What we can do is help you get on the road to recovery. For this reason, it’s ideal to come back after having applied all recommendations suggested by our team so we can reevaluate your current state of health and help you continue on the path to optimal health. Of course, this is not mandatory but strongly suggested.
- Do you do surgeries at Sanoviv?
Yes. Even though our approach is based on finding the most natural and least invasive course of treatment, we know that sometimes surgery is unavoidable and is a necessary step in your recovery. We offer a wide range of surgeries that can be combined with our innovative therapies and treatments to speed your recovery. Please check our Surgeries at Sanoviv page for more information.
- I have special dietary needs. Can Sanoviv accommodate these?
Yes. We are experts at accommodating special dietary needs as we know the importance of having the right food for your specific needs can be to get well again. Our nutritionists and kitchen staff are highly proficient in adapting our meals to serve you in the best way. Nutrition and eating properly for your biochemical individuality is one of the cornerstones of our treatments.
- Am I going to be eating twigs and leaves all of my life?
The diet at Sanoviv is a whole-food, cleansing diet that eliminates many of the common food allergens along with processed foods, sugar and damaged oils. Although you eat many vegetables (both cooked and raw) here, your nutritionist will provide you with a diet to follow at home based on your health condition, your access to certain foods, your ancestral heritage, and your desire to make positive health changes. Our goal is to provide you with a diet that will nourish you and improve your health, but also one that is realistic and works with your lifestyle. You may not be eating “leaves and twigs” all your life, but you will have been introduced to many new and different foods during your stay here as well as how certain foods are used as medicine
To learn more about what your health team at Sanoviv, click here (Hyperlink to 1.2 Staff)
Sanoviv is the only hospital in the world to be certified in the Functional Medicine approach. To learn more about Functional Medicine, click here.
