Lyme Disease

Well Summer is here and that means the bugs, chiggers, and ticks are preparing themselves for their assault on humans.  BTW, I hate bugs!!!!  I thought I should just get that out right up front.  I do understand that they have their place in the food chain of nature, but I just really hate bugs.   I also hate that ticks, in particular, can cause a very significant inflammatory disorder that affects multiple systems in the human body.  Sadly, I have more than one account I could share about people who have been infected with the organism Borrelia burgdorferi (hard to say), which is transmitted by the bite of the Ixodes dammini tick.

The good part is that the infection does respond to antibiotic therapy, but more importantly, a regimen of immune support may be protective against acquiring an active infection in the first place.  That's important because, just this week, I probably addressed poor immunity with >10 patients who resulted with very low adrenal markers.  This can be indicative of a poor functioning immune system and almost 90% of the time people explain that they get sniffles, colds, and fatigue quite commonly.  Lyme disease can be a difficult diagnosis especially if patients seek answers after a prolonged or late interval of time since exposure.

The course of human Lyme disease is divided into three stages, but overlaps in time can happen as symptoms progress.  The first stage involves a reddened ring the center of which is the site of the tick bite.  A rash can develop from 3 to 32 days afterwards.  Sometimes secondary rings begin to show up around the original ring of the bite.  Headaches and muscle aches are common at this stage but fever is fairly unusual to see at this point in the process of infection.  Crazy symptoms can include a stiff neck and facial nerve palsies, at this stage, which becomes really scary for people because they tend to think of other diseases.

In the second stage, which happens several weeks later, things such as facial pain and facial weakness can occur and the facial nerve can be involved which can cause facial paralysis.  There can be inflammation of the spinal nerve roots with radiating pain.  Additionally, cardiac involvement can happen leading to left ventricular dysfunction.

The third stage appears several months later after the time of infection and was originally classified as chronic arthritis.  This stage may mimic MS, psychiatric illness, nerve swelling, and present with difficulty moving.   It's crazy to imagine, but sometimes people may not recall (or may be unaware) of the tick bite.  The rash may seem mild, attributed to other reasons, and may be forgotten.

Once a diagnosis of Lyme Disease is made, antibiotics should be started.  This is usually successful in preventing the later stages of the disease if caught early enough.  I also recommend that certain supplements be used to compliment the body's reactive processes.  (antioxidants, vitamins, probiotics, etc) If neurological symptoms present, then intravenous antibiotics are preferred.   I mentioned that I know of patients with confirmed Lyme Disease and many of these people will tell you that they have constant joint pain and fatigue.

Preventative efforts are so important with something like this.   Avoiding areas with high tick infestation are suggested, but that's not always possible for careers and activities that require going into that environment.  Sprays and lotions can be used to repel ticks but also clothing that covers skin is helpful to minimize the risk.  Although it helps, it cannot always be a guarantee to prevent one of those little critters from attaching to you.  I have no idea how they get where they get, but rest assured they will find their way into the nooks and cranny's of your body.  Here's a home remedy for you on this note that you might enjoy.  I spoke with a farmer the other day who uses dawn dish soap if he ever sees a tick taking hold.  He states that it makes the tick back right out.  I have no scientific proof to tell you that this works, but it sure couldn't hurt anything and he was fairly convincing in telling me about it.  If you are ever bitten by a tick, please take notice of the time, date, and especially monitor the skin for reddening or swelling of the area.  This can be a strong indicator that antibiotics are needed asap.  Do not delay getting an appointment with your doctor if this happens.

Make a note to yourself on this!!!  Remember, you can be bit by a tick and the hard core symptoms may not present until years later.  Bells palsy, eye inflammation, fatigue, joint pain, and more can all be traced back to an infection of Borrelia burgdorferi.   Not everyone will get the classic rash and symptoms right away.  This is such a tricky disease in some cases because of that fact alone.  I would imagine that Lyme's Disease is misdiagnosed as something else, or ignored as a possibility because of no gleaming signs, and people suffer unnecessarily for a long time.  Check yourself over and over for ticks if you think you are in an area where you might be exposed!!!

A healthy immune system is also important for this and other offenders in our world.  If your system is struggling to keep up due to stress, lack of sleep, infections, etc., it's worth getting an evaluation to determine how you can bolster your immune system to ward off toxins and infections.  This goes for anything, but I make mention of it in this blog because the immune system can take a huge hit with Lyme Disease.  I can create a custom regimen of nutraceuticals to help you and your family stay healthy for the long haul.   Focus on healthcare instead of disease care and get started with your evaluation.  Summer is here and we want to keep you and your family happy and healthy.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja