Lyme disease is the true American health epidemic that unfortunately is not receiving mass media exposure and research funding it deserves. Lyme is so difficult for doctors to diagnose because the symptoms are so vast and mimic many other conditions. People who contract Lyme may experience symptoms that are completely different than the next person with chronic Lyme, due to differences in their immune system function, lifestyle, internal terrain, etc.
Root Cause of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by a corkscrew (spirochete) shaped bacteria called Borrelia. This spirochete is known to be transmitted by tick bite but according to Lyme research experts it can be transmitted by fleas, lice, mosquitos, possibly spiders, other mammals, and even sexually or congenitally (in the womb)!
This may be why many people with Lyme never remember being bitten by a tick. The hall-mark of Lyme disease is the bulls-eye rash that appears in a moderate percentage of individuals after they have been bitten by a tick, but only happens to an average of 40% (range 27-80%) of people.
Symptoms:
- Flu-like
- Fatigue
- Body Aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint Pain
Unfortunately for some people, symptoms may not even appear until several weeks after being bitten, as the incubation period is 3 to 30 days according to the CDC.
Symptoms of chronic Lyme:
- Moody
- Chronic pain
- Memory loss
- Debilitating fatigue
- Neurological damage
- Dizziness
- Poor Condition
- Seizures
- Severe joint pain
- Stiff neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
Chronic Lyme Disease symptoms are more serious, as it starts to break down the body and people may begin having issues with autoimmune and inflammatory issues, and even drooping of the facial muscles known as Bell's Palsy. Symptoms of ALS, MS, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions, etc. often parallel symptoms of chronic Lyme.
Who is Affected?
In my clinical experience, it is mostly only in people who have lowered immune function from nutritional deficiencies, chemical or mold exposure, heavy metals, parasites, and even overexposure to EMFs, who experience the awful symptoms of chronic Lyme. Thus, it is important to use a holistic approach that not only reduces the pathogen load, but also strengthens the body's inherent capacity to cope with invaders!
There are between 300,000 to 375,000 new cases of Lyme every year in the US alone.
Testing For Lyme Disease
Currently, there is no testing available that is extremely accurate. Traditional Lyme testing looks for the presence of certain antibodies, which may not have been produced if the Borrelia is hiding in biofilms. There are labs called DNA Connexions, Vibrant Labs, and IGenex that I utilize in my clinic.
Co-infections
One thing that makes Lyme so dangerous is the possible presence of co-infections such as Babesia, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, etc. that may be simultaneously transmitted with the Borrelia from an insect. For example, up to 40% of Lyme patients have a co-infection of the parasite Babesia.
Working With Lyme
In my clinical experience, the best approach to addressing Lyme disease is a holistic program that includes:
- Opening all drainage pathways first
- Addressing parasitic infections
- Addressing mold toxicities
- Addressing heavy metals
- Targeting the Lyme bacteria and co-infections with specific herbal protocols
- Supporting the nervous system and rebuilding the body
Supplements I use for Lyme include IS-BORR, IS-BOOST by Cellcore Biosciences, A-L Complex by Bryon White, and Cistus Tea by BioPure.
If you believe you are dealing with chronic illness, please contact a functional provider. Dr. Jaban Moore, a functional medicine provider, can help you if you are experiencing chronic symptoms.