Functional Medicine

Restoring your well-being so you can live your most vibrant, purposeful life.

Restore your Body • Reignite Your Mind • Recharge your Souls • Rise to the Occasion

Welcome to SNS Health and Wellness Center

It's Time to Elevate Your Health and Transform Your Life

At Functional Wellness Rising, restoring balance to your overall health and wellness is our mission. Embark on a personalized journey with us to achieve optimal health and vitality by blending the best of traditional care with holistic approaches. Every step is designed specifically to meet your individual needs.

Get Ready to Take Control Of Your Health

Symptoms commonly address:

  • Brain fog

  • Hormonal Imbalance

  • Bloating or Gas

  • Stubborn Weight Gain

  • Persistent Fatigue

  • Constipation / Diarrhea

  • Mood Swings, Stress, or Irritability

  • Food Intolerances or Sensitivities

It's time to feel confident and happy with your health and we can help!

Our Signature System

The H.A.P.P.Y Path™ to Gut Freedom

Hear Your Story

We start by listening to your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and goals to understand your full gut story.

Assess Deeper with Labs

We use advanced labs to uncover hidden gut issues, food sensitivities, and hormonal imbalances.

Personalize Your Plan

No one-size-fits-all plans. Just personalized care tailored to your body, lifestyle, and health goals for lasting healing.

Partner through Progress

This is a hands-on journey. Through 1:1 check-ins, support, and guidance, we stay connected and help you move forward every step of the way.

Your Transformation Begins

Say goodbye to bloating and fatigue, and hello to energy, clarity, and confidence, starting with your gut.

Which H.A.P.P.Y. Path is Right for You?

Symptoms We Address

Areas of Expertise

SIBO

Leaky Gut

IBD

IBS

Hi!

I’m Samuel Louissaint

A board-certified Nurse Practitioner, Medical Examiner, and Functional Medicine Provider. I help women turn gut struggles into lasting, vibrant health.

If you’ve been eating clean, taking supplements, and doing all the “right” things but still feel bloated, constipated, exhausted, or just not yourself, you’re not alone. These symptoms aren’t random. They’re your body’s way of asking for deeper support.

My approach helps uncover the root causes behind those persistent issues so you can stop guessing and finally start healing in a way that lasts.

Join Our Community

Have a Question? Let's Connect

Whether you're curious about services or just need guidance on where to start, I'm here to help. Reach out and let’s talk.

Book a 20-min Clarity Call

Ready to uncover what’s been holding you back? In this free call, we’ll explore your biggest health concerns and map out your next best step, no pressure, Our call is the Clarity Call.

Why Choose Us?

We strive to connect natural healing practices with contemporary scientific knowledge, creating a synergy that enhances wellness and supports holistic health

Personalized Care Tailored to You

We recognize that every individual is unique. By delving deep into your health history, lifestyle, and specific concerns, we craft a wellness plan that's exclusively yours. This personalized approach ensures that your journey to health is as unique as you are.​

Advanced Diagnostics for Root Cause Resolution

Utilizing state-of-the-art functional lab testing, we go beyond surface symptoms to uncover the underlying causes of your health challenges. This thorough analysis allows us to address issues at their source, leading to more effective and lasting solutions.​

Empowering Partnership in Your Health Journey

We believe in a collaborative approach to wellness. By fostering a supportive partnership, we empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to take charge of your health. Together, we'll navigate the path to optimal well-being, celebrating every milestone along the way.​

Blog

5 Gut Clues That Say: Time for a Stool Test!

5 Gut Clues That Say: Time for a Stool Test!

September 11, 20254 min read

Bloating after every meal. That stubborn constipation that just won’t budge. Or maybe it’s the opposite: frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom that leave you wondering what on earth is going on. You might be feeling tired for no reason, noticing changes in your skin, or dealing with mood swings you can’t explain. While these symptoms may seem unrelated, they often have one thing in common: your gut health. Many people live with gut issues for years without realizing the underlying cause. Sometimes, the key to understanding these mysteries lies in looking more closely at what your digestive system is producing—yes, we’re talking about your stool.

5 Clues That Your Gut Deserves a Closer Look

1. Persistent Digestive Symptoms

Ongoing bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal discomfort may point to underlying issues like dysbiosis, inflammation, infections, or malabsorption. These troubles often motivate functional-minded clinicians to recommend stool testing as a window into root causes, not just symptoms.

2. Signs of Intestinal Inflammation

If you’re seeing blood in your stool, or experiencing frequent urgency or pain, markers like fecal calprotectin can help distinguish inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) from functional symptoms.

3. Unexplained Skin, Mood, or Metabolic Issues

The gut often speaks through other systems, like eczema, acne, brain fog, low mood, stubborn weight issues, or metabolic symptoms may all be linked to gut imbalance. Functional stool testing can reveal imbalances in the microbiome that traditional testing might miss.

4. Frequent Antibiotic Use or Stress-Related Flare-Ups

Antibiotics, stress, poor sleep, and other lifestyle pressures can disrupt your microbiome’s balance. If things don’t bounce back with basic support, targeted stool testing can offer clarity.

5. First-Time or Routine Gut Screening for Prevention or Clarity

Even without overt symptoms, stool testing can serve a preventative role, giving practitioners insight into digestive enzymes, absorption capacity, microbiome diversity, inflammation, and immune activity, so lifestyle or dietary adjustments can be better informed.

Stool Testing Options: What’s Out There?

Comprehensive Functional Stool Analysis

Looks at microbiome diversity, digestion markers (like digestive enzymes), inflammation (calprotectin, lactoferrin), immune activity, malabsorption, parasites, yeast, and more using methods like qPCR or sequencing.

Fecal Calprotectin

A non-invasive, clinically validated marker of intestinal inflammation, useful for distinguishing inflammatory conditions from non-inflammatory IBS.

Fecal pH Test

Measures acidity; very acidic or alkaline stool may point to poor carb/fat absorption, lactose issues, or bacterial imbalances.

Fecal Occult Blood / FIT

Screening for hidden blood can catch early signs of conditions like ulcers or colon cancer. Newer FIT tests are more accurate than traditional guaiac tests.

At-Home Microbiome Tests

These can give a snapshot of the gut microbial landscape, but they’re not diagnostic and often lack clinical context. Use with caution—or better yet, consult a practitioner before interpreting results.

Lifestyle Changes That Impact Your Gut

Eat a fiber-rich, plant-focused diet – Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fermented foods to feed healthy gut bacteria.

Move your body daily – Physical activity helps regulate bowel movements and promotes a diverse microbiome.

Prioritize quality sleep – Aim for 7–9 hours per night; your gut repairs and resets during rest.

Manage stress effectively – Chronic stress can disrupt gut function; try breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

Limit gut irritants – Cut back on ultra-processed foods, excessive alcohol, and frequent NSAID use, and avoid smoking.

Stay hydrated – Water keeps your digestive system moving smoothly and supports nutrient absorption.

Your gut health affects far more than digestion; it’s connected to your immune system, mood, skin, metabolism, and overall vitality. If you’ve been experiencing persistent symptoms or just want to be proactive about your wellness, it may be time to take a closer look at what your stool can reveal.

We can help you uncover the root causes, make sense of your results, and guide you toward personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement strategies that work for you. You don’t have to keep guessing or “just live with it.” If you’re ready to feel lighter, clearer, and more in tune with your body, let’s start your gut health journey together—reach out today to book your consultation.

References

Damhorst, G. L., et al. (2020). Current capabilities of gut microbiome–based diagnostics and potential for translation. Diagnostics, 10(4), 269.

Kasırga, E. (2019). The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow‑up. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 8(2), 334–337.

Simrén, M., et al. (2013). Intestinal microbiota in functional bowel disorders. Gut, 62(1), 159–176.

Vandeputte, D., et al. (2016). Stool consistency is strongly associated with gut microbiota richness and composition. Gut, 65(1), 57–62.

Cheng, X., et al. (2024). Gut microbiota and irritable bowel syndrome: status and future perspectives. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1429133.

Williams, G. M., et al. (2019). Evaluation of the optimal method to collect stool samples from infants for gut microbiome analysis. PLOS ONE, 14(6), e0216557.

Gorzelak, M. A., et al. (2015). Methods for improving human gut microbiome data by reducing variability through sample processing and storage of stool. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0134802.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the 20 Minute Clarity Call?

Very simple. A licensed practitioner will ask you some questions, do a quick health history, and determine if you're a case they can accept. If they think they can help they'll give you the package options available and work to find a personalized health plan to fit your unique needs.

Is Functional Medicine Safe?

ABSOLUTELY! Functional medicine is a safe and natural way of dealing with the root cause of health challenges, focusing on lifestyle changes, stress management, natural remedies and supplementation that is tailored to your personal situation. There are very few conventional practitioners that will do objective functional testing and work towards finding the ROOT CAUSE of the health challenge. Most providers simply give a medicine / chemical cover up.

Is functional medicine evidence-based?

Functional medicine draws on both traditional medical knowledge and emerging research. While it may incorporate alternative therapies, the approach is rooted in scientific evidence. Practitioners stay updated on the latest research to provide the best possible care.

How does functional medicine diagnose health issues?

Functional medicine uses a combination of comprehensive medical history, advanced laboratory testing, and in-depth patient interviews to understand the underlying factors contributing to health problems. This approach helps in creating personalized treatment plans.

How long does it take to see results?

The timeline for results varies depending on the individual and the nature of their health concerns. Some patients may experience improvement relatively quickly, while others may require more time for significant changes. Functional medicine is often considered a long-term, preventative approach.

Where is your clinic located?

Our services are 100% virtual, allowing us to serve clients anywhere in the state of Georgia.

Am I able to use my health insurance coverage?

No. we are a cash- based practice and do not accept insurance. You can however use a Health savings account (HSA) or Flexible spending account (FSA) for your visit or supplements.

It is important to note we spend a great deal of time with our patients to understand the state of their health by gathering information, analyzing symptoms and providing in depth education, giving every patient who comes in the time and attention they fully deserve that is critical to their health needs. Because of this reason, it is impossible to follow the traditional insurance model of care, which typically only allots 15 minutes per patient. We can however provide a superbill upon request, for you to submit to your insurance for possible out of network coverage.

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Or call us directly at (770) 321-1773 — we’re happy to guide you to the right service.

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Address:

821 Pavilion Court, Ste. A, McDonough, GA 30253

Phone:

770-321-1773

Email:

[email protected]

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