The Most Common Health Concerns Among Patients In Our Own Backyard

Using Real Patient Survey Data to Identify the Chronic Wellness Struggles Central Ohioans Face Every Day

Most health concerns that impact daily quality of life never make it to an urgent care clinic. They may be forgotten about during a rushed primary care visit while trying to balance the rest of a busy schedule. 

They're not emergencies. They're not acute. But they're persistent and profoundly affect thousands of people in our own community every single day.

Based on real survey data submitted to the functional medicine team at Donaldson, right here in Dublin, Ohio, these are the health concerns Central Ohioans are actually dealing with. Each concern is ranked by how often they came up across more than 600 anonymized, HIPAA-compliant patient responses collected over 12 months.


 

The Top 8 Health Concerns of 2025

1. "I Just Want to Feel Better" — 47.5% of respondents
The most common response wasn't a diagnosis. It was exhaustion. Many of these patients had already tried traditional healthcare routes and still didn't have answers. Functional medicine is built to find them.

At the end of the day, people just want to feel better. Patients tell me all the time — they want to be proactive about their health instead of reactive about their symptoms.
— Tricia Granchi, MSN, FNP-C, Functional Medicine Provider at Donaldson
 

2. Weight Loss Solutions — 42.8% of respondents

The rise of GLP-1 medications brought weight loss to the forefront in 2025, but patients quickly realized medication alone wasn't the full picture. Comprehensive care that addresses nutrition, movement and sustainability is what actually moves the needle long-term.

3. Hormone Balancing — 39.4% of respondents

A significant surge of patients are now actively advocating for better hormone care, especially when it comes to perimenopause and local menopause care. They don't just want to "get through it." They don't want to be stuck taking birth control. They want proactive plans, real education and lasting relief that works within their lifestyle. 

4. Gut Health & GI Issues — 34.9% of respondents

Chronic bloating, constipation, acid reflux and IBS disrupt sleep, focus, mood and energy. These patients aren't asking about a mild stomach ache that pops up every so often. They seek advanced diagnostic testing and root-cause analysis to address these issues, not just mask them.

5. Sexual Wellness — 16.2% of respondents

More patients are recognizing that pain, incontinence or loss of intimacy don't have to be accepted as normal. Holistic and advanced treatment options exist, and people are starting to ask for them.

6. Longevity & Performance — 15.3% of respondents

These patients aren't waiting for something to go wrong. They're optimizing cognitive function, sleep quality, workout recovery and long-term vitality. These are the local business leaders, the organizers, the student athletes, the community cornerstones and the proactive people who want to get stuff done. 

7. Nutrition Guidance — 11.4% of respondents

Personalized nutrition is something the vast majority of patients mention that they want while in our office, but not always in the surveys. They want to understand their body's specific needs, triggers and opportunities. They want nutrition-based care that no app can replicate. 

8. Fertility Optimization — 5.5% of respondents

Fertility complications are among the most significant concerns we address. By resolving nutrient deficiencies, regulating cycles and uncovering underlying health challenges, functional medicine can meaningfully support the path to conception, sometimes eliminating the need for more invasive treatments or IVF.

You can read the full article, including complete methodology and data breakdown, here. 
 

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About Donaldson: The Intersection of Wellness & Appearance

Donaldson Plastic Surgery is a Dublin, Ohio-based practice and a proud member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, with a second location in Lewis Center at Evans Farm. We serve patients throughout Columbus, Ohio and beyond, across three pillars of care: Plastic Surgery, Aesthetics and Functional Medicine.

Our functional medicine team is led by double board-certified physician Dr. Marguerite Weston, MD, IFMCP, and supported by a team of specialized providers committed to finding the root cause of each patient's concerns — not just treating symptoms. Whether a patient comes to us for a surgical consultation, an aesthetic treatment or a comprehensive wellness evaluation, our goal is the same: help them feel confident, informed and genuinely well.