AN EMERGING EPIDEMIC

Lyme Disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases and is one of the most difficult to diagnose. Experts in the medical and scientific community, as well as key legislators, have deemed Lyme Disease an epidemic … a national public health crisis … and a growing threat.

Lyme disease has been a known disease for several decades, but only in the past five years has it forced its way into medical relevance and became significant.

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.

If diagnosed in its early stage, Lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. But, delayed diagnoses can make treatment and recovery more difficult.

It is characterized by persistent, debilitating symptoms that last for years and are extremely difficult to treat effectively.

THE GREAT IMITATOR

The Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) spirochete is an evasive organism which can penetrate virtually any organ or system in the body, including the brain and central nervous system, joints, muscles, and heart. Lyme disease symptoms may be similar to other medical conditions, making diagnosing a challenge. For this reason, Lyme disease and syphilis have both been coined “the great imitator.”

Lyme disease has been mistaken for multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, it is estimated that 5% – 10% of patients presumed to have MS suffered from other conditions including Lyme disease.

Neuropsychiatric presentations, including depression, anxiety, and aggressiveness are commonly seen in both acute and chronic Lyme disease.

Lyme disease has also been mistaken for polymyalgia rheumatica, sports-related injuries, and common medical conditions such as sinusitis, Epstein-Barr syndrome, rotator cuff tear, meniscus tear, edema, cellulitis, and pericarditis.

There are three stages:
• Localized disease
• Rash
• Disseminated early disease
• Disseminated later disease
• May take as long as 15 years to manifest

• Lyme disease has been misdiagnosed as many other diseases
processes including:
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Subclinical hypothyroidism
• Multiple Sclerosis
• ALS

Signs and Symptoms of Disseminated Early or Late

Lyme Disease

•   Unrelieved fatigue
  • A headache
  • Weakness
  • Muscle aches and pain
  • Back pain
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Chills

Most Common Symptoms Related to Lyme Disease
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Stiffness of the neck or back
• Joint pain or swelling
• Tingling, numbness, burning of the extremities
• Confusion
• Difficulty in concentration
or reading
• Forgetfulness, poor short-term
memory
• Disturbed sleep
• Difficulty with speech or
writing
Lyme Disease can be a Contributing Factor to Other
Diseases
• ALS
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Fibromyalgia
• MS
• Bipolar disorder
• Neurological disease
• Heart disease (Lyme carditis)
• Autism

Treatment 

We at Freedom age Functional & Regenerative medicine clinic do extensive diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause of the manifested symptoms and provide you with a treatment protocol.

1.Dietary guidelines:

Foods to be  avoided completely:
• Wheat
• Alcohol
• Rye
• Peanuts
• Corn
• Barley
• Sugar
• Hard cheeses

2. Antibiotics where necessary

3. Detox therapies

4. Nutraceuticals

Dr. Kalpana Shekhawat MD

Functional Medicine Specialist

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