Lyme disease treatment
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete—a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme is called “The Great Imitator,” because its symptoms mimic many other diseases. It can affect any organ of the body, including the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, and the heart.
Patients with Lyme disease are frequently misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and various psychiatric illnesses, including depression. Misdiagnosis with these other diseases may delay the correct diagnosis and treatment as the underlying infection progresses unchecked.
How do people get Lyme disease?
Most people get Lyme from the bite of the nymphal, or immature, form of the tick. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed. Because they are so tiny and their bite is painless, many people do not even realize they have been bitten.
Once a tick has attached, if undisturbed it may feed for several days. The longer it stays attached, the more likely it will transmit the Lyme and other pathogens into your bloodstream.
Additional information
Where is Lyme disease found?
Lyme disease has been found on every continent except Antarctica. It is found all across the United States, with a particularly high incidence in the East, Midwest, and West Coast. Rates have increased significantly over time. Some of this increase may be because of disease spread, but it is also likely that it reflects growing public awareness of the disease.
Not all ticks are infected. Within endemic areas, there is considerable variation in tick infection rates depending on the type of habitat, presence of wildlife and other factors. Tick infection rates can vary from 0% to more than 70% in the same area. This uncertainty about how many ticks are infected makes it hard to predict the risk of Lyme disease in a given region.
The risk of getting Lyme disease is often reflected in risk maps. Some maps show the number of human cases of Lyme disease reported for surveillance. These maps may not accurately reflect risk because only 10% of reportable Lyme cases are currently captured by CDC surveillance. Other risk maps show the number of infected ticks that researchers have collected in a certain area. These maps are often not accurate because many states and counties have done little or no testing of ticks in the area. The best maps of risk may be canine maps. This is because dogs are routinely screened for Lyme disease through a nationwide program as well as the close association of dogs with humans.
Could Lyme Disease Be Contributing to Your Symptoms?
Lyme disease is often called “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms can resemble many other conditions. Symptoms may come and go, change over time, or affect multiple body systems at once. Some individuals experience symptoms shortly after a tick bite, while others may not recognize signs until months or years later.
At Empowered Health & Aesthetics, we take a comprehensive, root-cause approach to evaluating persistent or unexplained symptoms. If Lyme disease is suspected, we may recommend a thorough health history, advanced laboratory testing when appropriate, and an individualized treatment plan.
Common Symptoms Associated with Lyme Disease
The following symptoms are adapted from the symptom categories used in Dr. Richard Horowitz’s MSIDS (Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome) questionnaire and are intended to help identify patterns that may warrant further evaluation.
General Symptoms
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
- Daytime sleepiness
- Poor stamina or exercise intolerance
- Unexplained fevers, chills, or sweats
- Weight changes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Swollen lymph nodes
Pain & Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Migrating joint pain
- Muscle aches or cramps
- Neck stiffness
- Back pain
- Heel pain
- Foot pain
- Rib or chest wall pain
- Jaw pain
- Morning stiffness
Neurological Symptoms
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Word-finding difficulty
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Balance problems
- Tremors
- Numbness or tingling
- Burning sensations
- Facial numbness or weakness
- Sensitivity to light or sound
Sleep Disturbances
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Night sweats
- Vivid dreams
Mental & Emotional Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Increased emotional sensitivity
Eye & Vision Symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Eye pain
- Floaters
- Increased light sensitivity
Ear, Nose & Throat Symptoms
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Hearing changes
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
Heart & Circulation
- Heart palpitations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Episodes of feeling faint
Digestive Symptoms
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Acid reflux
Hormonal & Autonomic Symptoms
- Heat or cold intolerance
- Excessive sweating
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Hormonal imbalances
- Menstrual irregularities
Skin Symptoms
- Rashes
- Unexplained itching
- Increased skin sensitivity
- History of a bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans)
When Should You Consider Lyme Testing?
You may benefit from further evaluation if you:
- Spend time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas.
- Have had a known tick bite.
- Have persistent symptoms without a clear explanation.
- Have symptoms affecting multiple body systems.
- Continue to experience symptoms despite previous treatment or normal routine testing.
Our Root-Cause Approach
Lyme disease is complex and often requires looking beyond a single laboratory test. Our comprehensive evaluation may include:
- Detailed symptom assessment
- Advanced Lyme disease testing when appropriate
- Evaluation for nutritional deficiencies
- Inflammation markers
- Hormone testing
- Thyroid assessment
- Immune system evaluation
- Genetic testing (including MTHFR when indicated)
- Personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations
Our goal is to identify contributing factors that may be affecting your health and develop a personalized plan focused on supporting your body’s healing and recovery.
Disclaimer: Symptoms listed above are not specific to Lyme disease and can occur with many other medical conditions. A diagnosis should be based on a comprehensive clinical evaluation, medical history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing.