Conditions We Treat

At PROVOKE Health (previously Functional Healthcare Group, and still Dr. Matt Lewis’ healthcare practice), we place our faith in the power of well-informed solutions to rebuild of your health, confidence, and resiliency. Instead of merely addressing your symptoms with medications, we collaborate with you to unveil the underlying or root causes of your health issues before they worsen. We honor your distinct characteristics and choices and work in tandem with you to revive your health, well-being, and quality of life.

To accomplish this, our doctors have dedicated decades to the study and practice of integrative healthcare and functional medicine, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the following conditions:

Mold Exposure — when your body is exposed to toxic mold, the body tags it as a foreign invader and moves it to the liver for clearance. Normally, your liver would eliminate the toxin, and you would remain healthy. However, continuous or repeated exposure to mold spores and toxins leads to a systemic inflammatory response that sets off multiple biochemical reactions triggering a wide variety of immunological, neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and respiratory symptoms. (You can learn more about this by reading our blog on Diagnosing and Treating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.) Successful treatment for mold toxicity starts by diagnosing fungal overgrowth and mold toxins in your blood and urine. This is followed by handcrafted treatments to eradicate fungal growth and detoxify from mold toxins. At PROVOKE Health, we specialize in using natural and prescription antifungals and peptides to boost the body’s ability to kill off and flushing the mold toxins from your body. Click here to schedule an appointment for treatment of mold related illness.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) — is a disorder that can develop at any age but usually strikes women between the ages of 15 and 50. POTS is a blood circulation disorder that’s linked to an irregularity in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS manages crucial bodily functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, and digestion. Ordinarily, when transitioning from lying down to standing, the ANS adjusts blood flow to ensure proper circulation throughout the body, including both upper and lower regions. However, in patients living with POTS, this adjustment doesn’t occur as it should. Consequently, inadequate blood returns to the heart, causing poor circulation primarily in the upper body. Common symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and a notably rapid increase in heartbeat (by 30 beats per minute or more) within 10 minutes of standing up. If you are experiencing repeated bouts of lightheadedness, fainting, difficulty thinking and concentrating, fatigue, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, tremors, and nausea, schedule an appointment to see if POTS may be the reason why.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) — a severe and long-lasting illness impacting multiple body systems, characterized by neurological, immunological, autonomic, and energy metabolism dysfunctions. ME/CFS patients endure significant functional impairment, sleep disturbances, cognitive issues, pain, orthostatic intolerance, flu-like symptoms, sensory sensitivity, and even gastrointestinal and genitourinary problems. Identifying its triggers (those associated with environmental and lifestyle factors, infection, or toxicity) is crucial for successful treatment, and our approach involves creating personalized plans addressing both symptoms and triggers. Click here to schedule an appointment to discuss diagnosis and therapeutic options, including vitamin IV therapy, hormone balancing, peptide therapies, and NAD therapy, all of which aims to alleviate fatigue and improve overall well-being for people living with ME/CFS.

Cardiovascular Disease — a serious condition that impacts the heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to life-threatening outcomes like heart attacks or strokes. At PROVOKE Health, we conduct a comprehensive assessment using cutting-edge tools like the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart Lab or Quest Diagnostics’ Cardio IQ to precisely identify your risk factors for heart disease. After analyzing your lab results, we develop a personalized, medically-supervised plan of care that’s tailored to manage and address your specific clinical history and lab findings. Click here to schedule an appointment to discuss your risk for Cardiovascular Disease.

Environmentally acquired illness (EAI) — daily life is marked by highly toxic and unnatural environments that can overpower the body’s natural detoxification processes. From the food we consume to the air we breathe and the products we use, these everyday elements may harbor substances detrimental to our health. Alongside these manufactured toxins, there are natural toxins, as well as pollutants like heavy metals, dust, and pollen. When the body struggles to eliminate this toxic load, symptoms emerge, leading to chronic health issues that we treat here at PROVOKE Health. One of those conditions — categorized as Environmentally Acquired Illnesses (EAIs) — is something we specialize in diagnosing and treating. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — occurs when a genetically susceptible individual is exposed to a biotoxin and as a result becomes chronically ill over a period that usually spans years. The most notable exposures are to a host of biotoxins and inflammagens found in a water damaged building or home. This is more common than you might think. According to the World Health Organization, 50% all buildings/homes are water damaged in the United States. Another common cause is the toxins associated with Lyme disease. There are other causes of CIRS, but for now these are the two most commonly recognized, i.e. living or working in a water damaged building or post Lyme disease. At PROVOKE Health, our doctors are trained in the discovery and treatment of CIRS. If you live or work in a water damaged home or building and are ready to improve your health, click here to schedule an appointment.

Long COVID — a condition where patients continue to experience symptoms or have new symptoms that persist for weeks or even months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection. Reported symptoms range from fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and brain fog to joint pain, headaches, and loss of taste or smell. Long COVID can affect people regardless of the severity of their initial COVID-19 infection and can significantly impact their quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities. At PROVOKE Health, we’re sensitive to the delicate nature of living with — or explaining to others that you’re experiencing — Long COVID. We specialize in diagnosing and treating numerous conditions that share features and characteristics with Long COVID, including chronic fatigue and complications related to exposure to mold and other environmental toxins. As a result, we actively embrace staying on top of the latest research findings and formulating personalized plans of care for patients living with Long COVID. Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment.

Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis — a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid causing inflammation and loss of thyroid tissue. Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis ultimately leads to a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and a prescription for thyroid medication, typically Synthroid or Levothyroxine. Sadly, research reveals a statistically significant increase for developing other autoimmune conditions once you have Hashimoto’s. Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment to discuss Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Type 2 Diabetes & Pre-Diabetes — occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. In response, the pancreas pumps out more insulin than normal, but over time it loses its ability to do so and eventually cannot produce enough insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The good news is, with the right treatment plan people with pre-diabetes and type-2 diabetes can reverse its course and start to feel better than they have in years. Treatment of diabetes with the peptides Ozempic or Semaglutide may help with insulin resistance and weight loss, which is a key to improving health outcomes. We may also recommend nutrient packed IV’s (with custom infusions of antioxidants and vitamins to help to combat inflammation) or hormone therapies to bring the body back to a more youthful state. If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 or Pre-diabetes and would like to see about reversing its course, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Chronic Inflammation — is swelling that’s part of the immune response and supports healing. While such swelling is accurately referred to as inflammation, it is an acute response that goes away in a matter of days or weeks. Chronic inflammation develops over a much longer period of time, is less clearly connected to any physical injury or illness, and it lingers. It can contribute to a wide variety of health issues, including pain, heart disease, arthritis, allergies, diabetes, and obesity. Learn more about chronic inflammation… inquire about our availability by clicking here.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): — a far too common condition that affects the large intestine (colon) causing constipation, diarrhea, loose stools, cramping, gas, and abdominal pain. Daily life with IBS is often interrupted or halted, time with family and friends can be unpleasant, and work is more difficult. Understandably, anxiety and depression often accompany the illness. The good news is that treatments for those suffering with IBS are available and very effective, even when traditional medical efforts have failed to produce results. Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment to discuss your concerns about IBS.

Post Cancer Treatment Rehabilitation — the one-two punch of cancer and chemotherapy depletes macronutrients (including proteins and fats) and micronutrients (including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants). As a result, people undergoing such treatment often feel weak and exhausted after chemotherapy. Fortunately, targeted nutritional therapies may help to repair damaged cells and restore depleted macro- and micronutrients to make you start feeling significantly better and re-energized after chemo. We are now accepting new post-cancer treatment patients in Tampa. Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment.

Weight Loss — many people struggle to lose weight or control their weight, and it is definitely not from a lack of trying or discipline. Losing weight simply becomes more difficult the longer you carry the extra weight. The key to weight loss is to kick-start the body’s metabolism while removing from the diet or reducing consumption of some of the foods that caused the problem in the first place. At PROVOKE Health, your weight loss program / plan of care may include a peptide such as Semaglutide (also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus) or the novel weight loss medication Tesofensine, which acts on neurotransmitters in the brain to suppress appetite and increase metabolism. Working with us on a weight loss and weight management plans starts by clicking here to inquire about an appointment.

Chronic Pain — At PROVOKE Health, we offer root cause solutions for chronic pain and pain management. Our approach integrates cutting-edge treatments like Sermorelin therapy, harnessing its proven ability to stimulate the natural release of human growth hormone (HGH), which may aid in alleviating chronic pain. Our custom plans of care seek to address the underlying factors contributing to your pain and discomfort. Receiving treatment for the underlying causes of chronic pain starts by contacting us to schedule an initial appointment.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) — a fairly common endocrine disorder that involves the adrenal glands, pancreas, and ovaries and may cause excess hair growth, acne, or obesity (or infrequent or absent menstruation in younger women). Many women have PCOS and are not even aware they have it. As a result, the underlying causes and long-term complications of having PCOS often go undiagnosed and untreated. If you suspect you have — or have already been diagnosed with — PCOS and want a second opinion on a course of treatment for its underlying causes, request an appointment by clicking here.

Leaky Gut Syndrome — occurs when the intestinal tract loses integrity of what are referred to as tight junctions (groups of cells that hold the intestines intact at the cellular level where nutrients are absorbed). With leaky gut syndrome, gaps form in the intestinal tissue that forms the barrier system. When the barrier is breached, large bacterial toxins and immune peptides pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream throwing the immune system into chaos. Confused, the immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells in the body as enemy invaders and attacks them. This is the nature of every autoimmune disorder. Receive treatment for the underlying causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome by contacting us today. Click here to get started.

Medically Supervised Detoxification — a gradual process that supports improvement in the body’s natural ability to detoxify itself through the use of antioxidant therapies, vitamins, minerals, and binders that pull toxins out of the body safely. Supporting detoxification creates greater energy levels, reduces allergies, promotes long-term weight loss, and clears brain fog. Interested in a medically supervised detox? Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment.

Adrenal Fatigue — the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, secrete stress hormones including cortisol and adrenaline. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands produce too little or too much of either stress hormone. Conventional medicine recognizes two adrenal-related diagnoses: Addison’s Disease (low cortisol) and Cushing’s Syndrome (high cortisol). High or low cortisol in the absence of adrenal disease can cause fatigue, body aches, and a host of other symptoms commonly seen in patients. Clusters of these symptoms are what clinicians commonly diagnose as adrenal fatigue. Click here to inquire about scheduling an appointment to discuss treatment for the underlying causes of Adrenal Fatigue.

Other conditions we treat include:

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Asthma and allergies
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancer
• Celiac disease and other food sensitivities
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses
• Migraine
• Obesity
• Parkinson’s disease
• Pneumonia and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Psoriasis and eczema
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) & Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)