Lyme Disease
In addition to mimicking other illnesses, Lyme disease symptoms can be hard to diagnose. This is problematic since Lyme disease rates have been on the rise recently.
Thus, news of a new test to detect the disease is such a positive development. Researchers confirmed in October that they developed a test that can actually detect Lyme DNA rather than antibodies associated with the disease. In a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, this new testing method will detect Lyme disease bacteria weeks earlier than current tests, allowing patients to begin treatment sooner.
As it stands with current antibody-based Lyme testing, a person would have to be infected for approximately three or more weeks before the test would register as positive for Lyme disease. And not to mention these tests are often criticized for missing a significant number of cases, too.
“Lyme disease can have multiple outbreaks, function is often undiagnosed, and standard FDA-approved tests today cannot differentiate between an active, ongoing infection and an infection that has healed in the past. So these in-person tests are needed, "a doctor-scientist at Ratgas New Jersey Medical University said in his statement," the problem is only getting worse as Lyme disease is increasing to 300,000 people annually in the United States and spreading across the country and the world. .", Newly developed test methods are more accurate. Dr. Schutzer and his team say it wouldn't be surprising to see these direct DNA-based tests for Lyme disease approved for use.
Lyme disease, which is spread by ticks, is more prevalent in woodland regions, although it can also occur elsewhere, such as in city parks or even your home. According to new research, it appears that even if a tick is attached to a human body for just 15 minutes, that may be enough to transmit a variety of microbes to the victim. Previously, doctors thought that a tick must remain inside your body for at least 24 to 48 hours for you to contract Lyme disease.
Chronic Lyme disease is brought on by an immune response to a particular type of bacteria that is spread through ticks and perhaps insect bites. The two species of insects that transfer Lyme disease most frequently are black-legged ticks and deer ticks, generally known as Ixodes ticks. Spirochete, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium named Borrelia burgdorferi, is carried by both of these ticks.
But in February 2016, the CDC, the Mayo Clinic, and public health authorities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota announced the identification of a new bacterial species named Borrelia mayonii that also contributed to human Lyme disease.
The following are the most typical Lyme disease signs and symptoms:
1. A recognizable "butterfly" rash that develops where the tick bite happened to the skin called Erythema Migrans. Many people acquire an EM rash that looks like a bulls-eye and has a red core with a clear ring around it. Despite not always manifesting, this is thought to be a feature of Lyme disease. Sometimes different rashes take their place. Some even resemble the bite of a spider. According to a recent CDC report on Lyme disease, between 30 and 80 percent of persons who contract the illness exhibit a visible rash. However, other studies place the figure closer to 70 percent.
2. Flu-like symptoms, particularly soon after contracting the infection. These include chills, sweats, weariness, neck pain, fever, and muscle aches.
3. Lack of sleep, ongoing weariness, and sluggishness
4. Digestive problems, such as nausea and appetite loss
5. Joint discomfort and aching joints. The CDC discovered that roughly 30% of Lyme patients experience arthritic symptoms
6. Long-term mood changes, such as depression and anxiety, may occur in people.
7. Long-term symptoms of cognitive abnormalities include headaches, brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and misplacing things.
Lyme disease can occasionally lead to irreversible damage and consequences if it is not treated at an early stage (which happens much too frequently because Lyme disease symptoms mirror other ailments). Like other autoimmune or infectious disorders, Lyme disease can affect nearly every organ in the body.
Patients who continue to experience symptoms 6 months or longer after undergoing treatment for Lyme disease are frequently referred to as having "post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome" or (PTLDS). Some individuals refer to this as "chronic Lyme disease" or "post-Lyme disease syndrome" (PLDS).
Co-infection types:
The bacterium Borrelia is the cause of Lyme disease. However, if you have Lyme disease, it is not the only infection that might develop in your body. In addition to your primary infection, you may also have other infections that were typically spread together with the Lyme bacterium by the tick bite. At least two co-infections occur in 30% of people with chronic Lyme disease
You might be startled to learn that ticks can potentially spread more than 200 different bacterial, viral, and parasitic illnesses. The following co-infections with Lyme are the most typical, according to research:
Babesia
A parasite that is not closely linked to malaria is called babesia. 32.3 percent of those with chronic Lyme disease are impacted by it. Although there are more than 100 species of this, Babesia microtia is the one that most frequently affects people. Although it is typically spread by ticks, it can also be acquired through organ or blood donation.
Your cell membranes are harmed by babesia's attack on your red blood cells. It can quickly alter the expression of its genes, making it challenging for your immune system to identify and combat it. It may result in cardiac problems, liver failure, and renal failure.
Babesia symptoms include:
Chills
Cough
Fatigue
Headaches
Sweats Muscle and joint pain
Nausea
lack of appetite
Bartonella:
A bacteria called Bartonella affects 28.3% of people with chronic Lyme disease. About 20 strains are present. The most prevalent ones are Bartonella Quintana found in lice, Bartonella bacilliformis spread by certain sand flies, and Bartonella henselae carried by infected cats. Red ants, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, spiders, mites, and fleas can all transmit the Bartonella virus.
Your lymph nodes, red blood cells, and blood vessels are all impacted by Bartonella. Your immune system is weakened, which causes a range of symptoms from moderate to severe, symptoms include:
Headaches, Depression or Anxiety, Vision Blur Memory Loss, Skin Rashes Muscle and Joint Pain, persistent low-grade fever, enlarged lymph nodes, Anemia, Intolerance to Taste, Touch, Sounds, or Other Stimuli
Ehrlichia
Ehrlichia is a bacterium that belongs to the same family as and is frequently associated with the Anaplasma bacterium. 14.5 percent of people with chronic Lyme disease are affected by it. Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, also known as Ehrlichia phagocytophilum, are the three primary types of Ehrlichia that typically afflict persons with chronic Lyme disease.
A lone star tick, blood transfusions, and organ transplants can all spread it. Your lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and white blood cells are all impacted. It is a deadly pathogen because it can conceal from the immune system, symptoms include Body Pains Cold, Tiredness Cough Muscle Pains, Headaches, Rashes, and High Fever.
Rickettsia
The bacteria rickettsia has 26 distinct species. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is the most typical infection it can cause. 5.6% of those with chronic Lyme disease are affected by it. It spreads by way of ticks. The lining of your blood vessels is impacted by a rickettsia, which also causes inflammation and problems in your limbs. It may occasionally result in amputation, symptoms include: Fatigue, Confusion, Headaches, muscles hurt, sensitivity to light, nausea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, Rashes, and fever
Adversarial Pathogens
The co-infections we discussed typically enter your body from a tick bite together with the Borrelia bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Opportunistic infections, on the other hand, can be brought on by some other bacteria and viruses. Your chance of contracting other infections may arise as a result of chronic Lyme disease, which may also make any existing infections worse.
Pathogens with the potential to cause infections in addition to chronic Lyme disease include: the virus Epstein-Barr (EBV), Parvovirus in humans, pneumonia Chlamydia, Pneumocystis pneumonia, Cytomegalovirus, Coxsackievirus, and these co-infections are problematic because of how opportunistic they are. They might impair your immune system, bring on new signs of the illness, and make it harder for your body to fight it.
Top Testing Techniques:
Working with a practitioner who is knowledgeable about Lyme disease and who is familiar with the most effective testing and treatment options is crucial if you suspect that you might have the condition. Direct testing that examines the disease-causing bacteria and co-infections should be used in addition to relying on your body's antibody response to germs.
Igenex: provides excellent testing for Rickettsia, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and co-infections with Borrelia burgdorferi. With a higher sensitivity rate than conventional testing techniques, it provides thorough, efficient, and exact diagnostic testing for Lyme disease and diseases transmitted by ticks.
Both indirect and direct testing solutions are included in these testing kits. Direct tests search for B. burgdoferi antigens and nucleic acids, whereas indirect testing looks at how the patient's immune system reacts to B. Burgdorfer.
The Value of Boosting Immune Performance:
As was already established, fighting Lyme disease requires having a robust immune system. Because the body's immune system reacts to many Lyme symptoms, the severity of your symptoms will depend on how well your immune system is functioning.
By enhancing your general immunity and health, you can naturally help prevent and treat Lyme disease in the following ways:
1. Treat any infections or allergies that may be causing your symptoms: It's possible that your health is being affected by more than just Lyme disease.
2. Monitoring your signs: Find out what triggers’ symptom flare-ups. Lack of sleep, infections, tense situations, and eating poorly are a few of these.
3. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
4. Use of supplements under supervision
5. lowering emotional stress: Stress impairs immunity and increases the likelihood of problems. Engage in frequent deep breathing, meditation, writing, reading, and exercise as well as seek out the support of family and friends.
RESOURCES:
https://www.nature.com/nrneurol/
2022. NP. Malika Katrouche All Rights Reserved.
