Naturopathic Medicine for Lyme’s Disease
Naturopathic Medicine for Lyme’s Disease
About Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria known as Borrelia – note there are over 300 strains of Borrelia, Borrelia burgdorferi is one of the most common. It is found in North America and Europe and is endemic (prevalent) in the U.S. primarily in the Northeast and upper Midwest. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S.
A vector is a living organism that can transmit infectious pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) to humans. Ticks are the major vector for Borrelia, and most cases of tick bites are reported between April and September. So, what does Lyme have to do with it? Lyme disease takes its name from Lyme, Connecticut, where the first case was identified in 1975.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The most common symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, chills, and a bullseye rash. The medical term for this rash is erythema migrans (EM) and it is the most characteristic symptom of Lyme disease – it typically appears as a single rash 7-14 days after the tick bite, although multiple rashes or no rashes at all are possible.
If left untreated, the infection can become more serious and spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system – arthritis (inflammation of the joints), carditis (inflammation of the heart), and various neurological problems. Symptoms can vary widely and Lyme disease can mimic many different illnesses – a keynote of Lyme is the involvement of multiple body systems.
Prevention of Lyme Disease
- Avoid exposure to ticks in endemic areas with appropriate insect repellant
- Wear protective clothing and perform tick checks while visiting wooded areas
- Promptly remove tick with tweezers, pull straight up with steady pressure, cleanse area
How to Diagnose Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (EM), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Lab testing is also available such as immunoassays and western blots. If you suspect you or someone you know has Lyme disease – please seek medical care for diagnostic testing, such as one of our naturopathic doctors at LIVV!
Lyme’s Conventional Standard of Care
The conventional treatment involves antibiotic therapy and specialized care for heart and neurological manifestations. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. However, many people do not improve with standard treatment and may struggle with symptoms and complications of Lyme for several years.
Lyme’s Naturopathic Treatment Elements
- Treat infection – including Borrelia, co-infections, opportunistic infections, and overcome resistance from biofilms (a sticky matrix that houses infections)
- Reduce inflammation – chronic inflammation occurs as a result of constant immune activation (and release of inflammatory molecules) from the chronic infection(s)
- Support immunity – chronic infection(s) weaken the immune system over time leading to immune suppression (which decreases our ability to fight off pathogens)
- Detoxify – toxicities (such as metals, mold, chemicals) are common with Lyme disease and often hinder treatment progress
- Manage symptoms – naturopathic medicine offers the least invasive approaches to provide natural symptom relief
A naturopathic treatment may involve nutrition, lifestyle, support, and supplementation. Specific therapies for treating Lyme disease include:
IV therapy – ozone, ALA, high dose vitamin C, glutathione, NAD+
Frequency based therapies – rife, PEMF, bioresonance
Herbal protocols – for detox and antimicrobial action
Mental health – addressing trauma and emotional disturbances
LIVV is proud to offer several targeted IV bags including LIVV immune, LIVV energy, LIVV revive, LIVV detox, LIVV glutathione, LIVV anti-inflammatory, LIVV high dose vitamin C, LIVV ALA, LIVV chelation, and more! Give us a call today to schedule an appointment and start winning the battle against Lyme disease!
Written by Jordan Valdez, RDN
References
DynaMed
CDC
Dr. Poinani, ND
