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Select your question about Lyme below.
Lyme disease is a multi-systemic infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria, a spirochete, is known for its corkscrew shape that allows the bacteria to burrow deep into the tissue, including joints, muscles, and the brain, and evade detection by the immune system and tests.. Over one hundred strains have been found in the United States alone, and three hundred exist worldwide.
First recognized as a prevalent disease in 1975 in the town of Lyme, Connecticute (after which it's named), cases of Lyme disease have been confirmed in every state in the United States and is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the country. With over 476,000 confirmed cases annually (up from 330,000. when LymeBrave was founded in 2017), this epidemic is on par with—if not exceeding—the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Lyme disease is a vector-borne illness most commonly transmitted by a tick bite; however, there is growing evidence that other vectors may also transmit the infection, such as mosquitoes and flies. Additionally, recent studies have shown that Lyme disease can be transmitted in utero and passed from mother to child. Research as recent as 2014 also suggests that Lyme disease can be sexually transmitted, as the Lyme bacteria shares the same shape as syphilis, also a known spirochete.
Ticks are members of the arachnid family, with 8 legs similar to spiders. They're most commonly found near woodland areas, fields, meadows, parks, and even suburban backyards. Preferring dark and damp spaces, ticks may hide in leaf litter, wood piles, and garden beds. Although they're unable to jump or fly, when a host brushes against them, ticks can easily latch on and attach themselves by embedding into the skin.
Ticks in the nymph stage of their life cycle may appear no larger than a speck of dust or poppy seed, making them difficult to identify and remove. When a tick attaches, it releases an anesthetic so the host is unaware they've been bitten. When the infected tick begins to feed, it releases the pathogen back into the host's bloodstream via regurgitation.
Contrary to popular belief, ticks may begin transmitting within hours of attachment. To lower the risk of Lyme disease, perform tick checks often and remove embedded ticks as quickly as possible.
Put simply, a co-infection is an infection that's transmitted at the same time as another infection. In medical terminology, a co-infection is the presence of multiple pathogens simultaneously infecting a host. When we talk about Lyme disease, we're really speaking of all tick-borne diseases, including other infectious organisms that are transmitted alongside the Borrelia bacteria.
Common co-infections include:
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Babesiosis (Babesia), a malaria-like parasitic disease that infects the red blood cells;
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Bartonellosis (Bartonella), a disease also known as Cat Scratch Fever caused by an intracellular parasite;
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Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia), a bacterial disease that infects the white blood cells;
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Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma), an infection of the white blood cells;
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Rickettsia), a potentially fatal infection hallmarked by a high fever and rash.
Ticks can carry pathogens for one or more of these co-infections alongside Lyme disease( Borreliosis), which makes
the risk of infection that much more dangerous. With symptoms that regularly overlap in their manifestation, diagnosis and treatment become increasingly complex.
In its early stage, Lyme disease often presents itself as a "summertime flu," with fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and joint pain. With swift diagnosis and proper treatment, Lyme disease in this stage may be more easily cured.
Symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease may occur months or years after the initial infection and may be more difficult to diagnose. Lyme disease is known as "The Great Imitator" for its ability to mimic other illnesses in its presentation, including: Fibromayalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ALS, Lupus, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other psychiatric disorders. If not properly treated, Lyme disease may cause irreparable damage to the nerves, joints, and organs.
Additional symptoms may include:
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Severe fatigue
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Joint pain
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Sleep disturbances
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Neurological changes (nerve pain or numbness, burning sensations in extremities, balance or coordination disturbances)
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Cognitive changes (poor word recall, poor concentration, dyslexia, memory loss)
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Psychiatric changes (irrational anger, oversensitivity with periods of crying, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, mood swings)
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Cardiovascular changes (palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath)
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Headaches, stiff neck, or migraines
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Gastrointestinal changes (nausea, vomiting, bowel changes, abdominal pain)
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Vision changes
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Tinnitus or hearing changes
It's important to note that the above is by no means an exhaustive list of Lyme disease symptoms. Additionally, symptoms from the presence of co-infections may overlap.
Lyme disease is diagnosed through standard blood tests. However, these blood tests are notably inaccurate, particularly in later stages of illness. It's for this reason that Lyme disease often requires a clinical diagnosis in additional to testing.
Currently, there is a two-tier model for testing in place: the ELISA test and the Western Blot test. The ELISA test is typically used by primary care physicians to determine whether or not a patient has Lyme disease. However, it's important to note that this test was never designed to be used as a diagnostic tool, as its reliability is faulty. The ELISA test has a 65% sensitivity, resulting in false-negatives and leading to misdiagnosis.
The Western Blot, the second test in this two-tier screening model, is commonly used to confirm a diagnosis after the ELISA screening is completed. Most Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMDs) will proceed directly to this test, as it's the more reliable of the two. The Western Blot tests for specific proteins and their antibodies using immunoblotting technique. According to the CDC, five bands on the test must be positive in order for Lyme disease to be confirmed. However, many LLMDs will treat patients if any of the bands specific to Lyme disease are positive in conjunction with a clinical assessment.
Both of these tests measure the immune system's response to infection rather than testing for the infection itself, which is why a clinical diagnosis is often necessary. Other tests for Lyme disease exist; however, they also maintain a high rate of false-negatives.
Testing and clinical assessment for co-infections should also be performed when considering a diagnosis of Lyme disease.
If diagnosed early, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with a course of antibiotics. However, it's important to note the complex nature of the bacteria when considering treatment options.
The bacteria's corkscrew shape allows it to burrow through the system and into the body's tissue, where it can protect iself by forming cysts and biofilms (a thin, slimy substance in which cells stick together, making them more resistant to antibiotics). A combination of antibiotics is often necessary to break through these barriers and fully eradicate the bacteria.
Contrary to other bacterial infections, Borrelia burgdorferi replicate on a 21-28 day cycle, which may warrant additional care. The presence of co-infections may further complicate treatment plans.
While most physicians and researchers continue to follow the IDSA guidelines for a 2-4 week course of antibiotics, these guidelines were removed from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse as treatment recommendations for physicians and insurance companies because they were considered outdated and ineffective. As of 2016, the ILADS treatment guidelines for patient-centered care remained the only guidelines listed on the NGC federal database.
As the disease progresses to the late stage, further treatment options may be necessary, including combination antibiotic care, additional therapies, and nutritional and supplemental support.
HERXHEIMER REACTIONS
It's a common refrain during Lyme treatment that a patient gets worse before they get better. This is due to the Jarisch-Herxhaimer reaction, otherwise known as a herxheimer reaction or a "herx." A herxheimer reaction is a detoxification reaction that occurs during the treatment of Lyme and other tick-born infections.
Simply put, when the bacteria die off, they release endotoxins faster than the body can expel them. These endotoxins exacerbate a patient's symptoms, making them feel worse even as they're getting better. It's for this reason that detox and immune-system support are essential.