This year there has been an increase in the tick population and tick bites. Early treatment helps reduce the incidence of the progression to more severe symptoms. Fifty percent of patients treated in our clinic throughout the year present with Tick-borne diseases. They arrive from Maine and other states. Many have been to numerous specialists in search of a diagnosis as most never recall having a tick bite or a bulls-eye rash (erythema migraines) that may erupt 3 to 30 days past the bite. The appearance of the rash varies widely and may be found in any part of the body.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people may contract Lyme disease annually in the United States. Although Lyme disease is the most reported tick-borne illness in the Unites States, the incidence may be higher as there are many unreported cases. It is caused by the Borrelia bacteria that is injected into the host and its various effects depend on the extent and stage of the disseminated spirochete. If Lyme disease goes untreated soon after a host is infected, patients may develop chronic illness. Aside from the typical initial rash, they may present with non-descript flu-like symptoms (fevers, fatigue, joint pain, headaches), facial nerve palsy, and other neurological symptoms. A more serious manifestation of this disease is cardiac complications referred to as Lyme carditis. A single tick can be infected with and transmit several other bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens (co-infections).
For many patients, there are various challenges to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of Lyme disease and co-infections. These tick-borne diseases can mimic other chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), depression, anxiety, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. Most patients visit various providers without successfully finding a diagnosis or a treatment. After prolonged suffering, those infected may become overwhelmed by their multiple debilitating symptoms.
Most people who have been “undiagnosed” and present in our clinic for Lyme disease and/or co-infection evaluation and treatment, often have multiple overlapping factors causing them to remain ill. They may develop hormonal imbalances, thyroid disease, nutritional deficiencies, and dysfunction of their autonomic nervous system which regulates breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion, etc. Occasionally, we see a reactivation of other viruses such as: EBV, CMV, and HHV-6. For this reason, it is not enough to just treat the infections. We must also work on repairing the overall damage that the infections have caused in order to get a patient back to baseline or close to it.
The number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the Northeast alone has quadrupled since 2005. A great deal of research has focused recently on improving early diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease and are interested in an evaluation, please call to schedule an appointment. We offer in-office or Telehealth visits. Both testing and treatment options will be discussed during the visit. Most heath insurances are accepted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people may contract Lyme disease annually in the United States. Although Lyme disease is the most reported tick-borne illness in the Unites States, the incidence may be higher as there are many unreported cases. It is caused by the Borrelia bacteria that is injected into the host and its various effects depend on the extent and stage of the disseminated spirochete. If Lyme disease goes untreated soon after a host is infected, patients may develop chronic illness. Aside from the typical initial rash, they may present with non-descript flu-like symptoms (fevers, fatigue, joint pain, headaches), facial nerve palsy, and other neurological symptoms. A more serious manifestation of this disease is cardiac complications referred to as Lyme carditis. A single tick can be infected with and transmit several other bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens (co-infections).
For many patients, there are various challenges to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of Lyme disease and co-infections. These tick-borne diseases can mimic other chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), depression, anxiety, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. Most patients visit various providers without successfully finding a diagnosis or a treatment. After prolonged suffering, those infected may become overwhelmed by their multiple debilitating symptoms.
Most people who have been “undiagnosed” and present in our clinic for Lyme disease and/or co-infection evaluation and treatment, often have multiple overlapping factors causing them to remain ill. They may develop hormonal imbalances, thyroid disease, nutritional deficiencies, and dysfunction of their autonomic nervous system which regulates breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion, etc. Occasionally, we see a reactivation of other viruses such as: EBV, CMV, and HHV-6. For this reason, it is not enough to just treat the infections. We must also work on repairing the overall damage that the infections have caused in order to get a patient back to baseline or close to it.
The number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the Northeast alone has quadrupled since 2005. A great deal of research has focused recently on improving early diagnosis and treatment. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease and are interested in an evaluation, please call to schedule an appointment. We offer in-office or Telehealth visits. Both testing and treatment options will be discussed during the visit. Most heath insurances are accepted.