Phase Three Later Months To Years
Also called late disseminated infection
Many infectious disease specialists believe that chronic Lyme disease does not exist, and that Lyme disease from a tick bite can be cured with a short course of antibiotics. It is possible that those who have undergone antibiotic treatments are suffering from the side effects of antibiotics, but more and more experts are coming around to the idea that Lyme disease can survive and cause long-term autoimmune symptoms when antibiotics dont work. We all know that antibiotics do not always work and can cause more problems.
- Arthritis symptoms swollen, painful joints
- Neurological symptoms numbness, tingling, shooting pains
- Cognitive symptoms brain fog, short-term memory deficits, confusion
- Mood disturbance depression
- Abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure
Facial paralysis sometimes occurs in this stage or stage two.
Foods That Support Glutathione Production
A variety of whole foods have been found to support glutathione production. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale are rich in sulforaphane, a phytochemical that augments glutathione production. Plants from the Allium genus, including garlic, onions, and leeks, induce the activity of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, critical enzymes in the glutathione system.
Antibiotic Treatment Of Patients With Late Or Chronic Lyme Disease
Patients who have previously been diagnosed as having Lyme disease who have relapsing symptoms are often given the diagnosis of post-treatment Lyme disease, the implication being that they no longer have the infection, but this assumption is not based on any specific diagnostic criteria. The assumption is primarily based on the lack of improvement in a treatment trial that used a regimen consisting of one month of intravenous ceftriaxone followed by two months of oral doxycyline . That regimen did indeed seem to be ineffective, but the reasons for the lack of efficacy were not adequately addressed, especially the lack of consideration that there may be other regimens that might be effective. B. burgdorferi is sensitive in vitro to various antibiotics, including the penicillins, tetracyclines, and macrolides, but there are a number of mitigating factors that affect the clinical efficacy of these antibiotics. Not all antibiotics are equally effective in treating various infections, so it should not be surprising that there might be other successful regimens. Indeed, based on pharmacologic considerations, there appear to be highly effective regimens consisting of either tetracycline itself, or the combination of a macrolide anitibiotic with a lysosomotropic agent such as hydroxychloroquine .
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Treatment Of Lyme Disease
Getting the right treatments for Lyme disease is important. You want to get the antibiotics as soon as possible to make the recovery speedy. Likely the doctor will prescribe amoxicillin, axetil or doxycycline to treat Lyme disease. Some people, if they have cardiac complication or neurological issues may take penicillin intravenously.
Several studies by the National Institutes of Health reveal most people are cured within a few weeks of taking the antibiotics orally, but some symptoms like fatigue will linger for months after treatments. In this case, taking the vitamin B12 will help the patient to get back to speed.
Vitamin D and Vitamin B-12 deficiencies are common in patients who have Lyme disease. However, B12 will put back what is lost from the body. People who have Lyme disease may have digestive issues. Some digestive issues may prevent vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the body and as well slow specific drugs like Metformin and those in the cycline family. If this is the case, we can certainly recommend NutriNerve.
On that note, a vitamin B12 deficiency is similar to the symptoms of Lyme disease. For this reason, its critical you get tested before diagnosing yourself and panicking. A vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency is easy to cure. By taking the NutriNerve supplement, you will add the vitamin B12, vitamin D and more. Over time, it may help solve other dysfunctions you could be experiencing.
Lyme Disease Natural Treatment Safety
If you decide to explore natural treatments for Lyme disease, talk to your doctor about the risks beforehand. Natural treatments, just like traditional treatments, can still be toxic or dangerous. But in combination with medical treatment, a complementary approach might improve health.
For example, a product called bismacine contains an injectable form of bismuth. This is a type of metal thats a common ingredient in some digestive aids. But bismacine contains a higher dose of bismuth thats injectable. Injecting a high dose of bismuth can cause bismuth poisoning, which can lead to heart and kidney failure.
Other natural treatments may interact with other medications or supplements you take. Your doctor can help you confirm whether any medications you currently take will interact with treatment youre interested in trying.
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Patients Turning To Herbal Remedies
Because patients are currently turning to herbal remedies to fill the treatment gaps left by antibiotics, this research is a critical step in helping clinicians, as well as patients, understand which ones may offer the most potential benefit.
According to this study, carried out by Prof. Ying Zhangs group at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the seven herbal medicines that have the ability to kill B. burgdorferi in test tubes are:
- Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
- Uncaria tomentosa
- Cistus incanus
- Scutellaria baicalensis
It is important to note that each of these products have the potential to produce significant side effects in patients, and should be taken only under advisement of a clinician knowledgeable of their capabilities and toxicities.
Of these products, the Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract caused complete eradication, while doxycycline and cefuroxime and other active herbs did not. This extract has been used for the treatment of malaria as well as the tick-borne infection Babesia, a malaria-like parasite.
This study is believed to be the first time this extract has been documented to have a potential impact on B. burgdorferi, and additional laboratory and clincial studies should be conducted to investigate the potential role Cryptolepis sanguinolenta could play in the treatment of Lyme disease.
How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed
The presence of any of the following may help lead to a Lyme disease diagnosis: a bull’s-eye rash, muscle aches, facial palsy, heart palpitations, joint pain, or other flu-related symptoms.
The diagnosis of Lyme disease can be very difficult. Its estimated that 30% of people who have the disease dont show signs of the characteristic rash, known as erythema migrans. This sometimes leads to missed or late diagnoses.
Your general care practitioner may diagnose and treat Lyme disease, or refer you to a rheumatologist, neurologist, pediatrician, or infectious disease specialist. Some doctors may order blood tests to diagnose Lyme disease. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test detects antibodies to B. burgdorferi. The western blot test is sometimes run after a positive ELISA testing to confirm a diagnosis.
A doctor may ask the following questions to help confirm a diagnosis:
- Have you recently been bitten by a tick or been in wooded/grassy areas?
- How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
- What have you tried to treat your symptoms with so far?
- Are you currently taking any medications?
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Related Resources For Lyme Disease
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
Humans And Lyme Disease
Ticks are parasites that are common in wooded areas, and parents and pet owners should always check their human and fur babies after a romp in the woods, to remove ticks before the burrow in. In humans, black-legged tick bites can cause infection if the tick carries bacteria, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Early symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- fever and chills
- achy muscles and joints
- swollen lymph nodes
It is not uncommon for ticks to burrow in areas of your body that are not readily visible, like your scalp, behind your ears or in your armpits. Many people who contract Lyme disease are not aware they are carrying a parasite, and misdiagnosis is common. If your infection goes undetected for an extended timespan, serious symptoms may emerge that affect your joints, heart and nervous system.
Symptoms of advanced Lyme disease may include:
- Severe headaches and stiff neck
- Rash on areas throughout your body
- Facial palsy on one or both sides of your face
- Severe pain and swelling of knees and/or other large joints
- Pain in bones, joints and soft tissues
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Brain and spinal cord inflammation
- Nerve pain
- Numbness, tingling and shooting pains in the extremities
In rare cases, Lyme disease can even cause death.
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Lyme Disease And Nutritional Deficiencies
It is common for people suffering from Lyme disease to experience nutritional deficiencies. These may vary from person to person and depend on the progression of the disease, but when they do occur, nutritional deficiencies can make fighting off the infection much more difficult.
Common deficiencies found in people with Lyme disease include:
- Glutathione
- Vitamin B12
- Magnesium
This list is not exhaustive some people will also experience deficiencies of other nutrients such as vitamin D3 and vitamin C. Without these vital nutrients, the body can fall even further into illness, and coping with the symptoms of nutritional deficiency on top of a Lyme disease infection can hinder recovery.
Image by on : Research has found that essential oils could be a helpful aid in the naturopathic treatment for Lyme disease.
How Good Nutrition Can Help You Recover From Lyme Disease
Your immune system, brain, and gastrointestinal system, not to mention the rest of your body, require optimal nutrition to function properly.
Improving nutrition can help your body fight Lyme disease, allow your immune system to work optimally and reduce the adverse effects of Lyme disease on the gut, brain, musculoskeletal system, and hormones.
Unfortunately, nutrition is often placed on the back burner and sometimes wholly overlooked in Lyme disease treatment protocols
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How To Manage Inflammation In Lyme Disease
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterial cause of Lyme disease, and co-infections causes the immune system to launch a profound inflammatory response. While antibiotic treatments, such as doxycycline and cefuroxime, can destroy B. burgdorferi, these drugs do little to mitigate the inflammatory response launched in response to these microbes. Left untreated, Lyme-induced inflammation damages cells, tissues, and organs, inducing widespread bodily dysfunction.
While the CDC offers recommendations for Lyme disease treatment from the antimicrobial perspective, it makes no recommendations as to how affected individuals should manage the inflammatory side effects of the illness. Functional medicine, on the other hand, offers a unique set of tools for managing Lyme-associated inflammation, including nutrition changes, lifestyle changes, and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. These holistic interventions can significantly improve Lyme disease inflammation, creating a strong foundation for healing.
Lyme Disease Nutrition Tips For Optimal Immune Function
byLindsay Christensenon February 18, 2022
Part 2: GLA’s Lyme and Nutrition Series. Lindsay Christensen is a Clinical Nutritionist and a Certified Functional Health Coach. She’s sharing information on what foods are optimal for those living with Lyme disease.
In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed why eating an anti-inflammatory diet is an essential first step for supporting Lyme disease recovery. In this blog, we will discuss the crucial effects of micronutrients on immune function and how to acquire these nutrients through a whole-food diet to support your Lyme recovery process.
A Brief Primer on Your Immune System and Lyme Disease
Having a basic understanding of how the immune system functions with Lyme disease is essential to understanding how nutrition can be used to support it.
Your immune system is a complex system that works through the coordinated efforts of various cells, antibodies, and other chemicals to protect our bodies against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make us sick. The immune system can be broken down generally into two branches: The innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.
The Innate Immune System
Once the innate immune system is activated, it can trigger the second primary branch of immunity, the adaptive immune system.
The Adaptive Immune System
Lyme Disease Can Trick the Immune System
Nutrition May Support Healthy Immune Function in Lyme Disease
Vitamin D3
Vitamin A
Zinc
Selenium
Glutathione
Recommended Reading: How To Get A Tick Tested For Lyme Disease
Can You Beat Lyme Disease Without Antibiotics
The only way to treat Lyme disease is through a course of antibiotics. If left unchecked, the bacterial infection will continue to make its way throughout the body, taking up residence in tissues and lymph nodes. This is how chronic Lyme disease develops.
There is no cure for Lyme disease, and if antibiotics do happen to leave some of the bacteria left behind, it can be even more difficult to treat. Supplementation can be a helpful aid in improving the often debilitating symptoms that go along with a chronic Lyme disease infection.
Support Your Gut Health
Many individuals with Lyme disease have gone through multiple rounds of antibiotics. While antibiotics can offer significant benefits to many Lyme sufferers, they also reduce levels of beneficial microorganisms in the GI tract. This allows less desirable opportunistic and pathogenic organisms, including various yeasts and bacteria, to proliferate.
The resulting imbalance in the gut microbiota can compromise immune function, digestion, and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, preliminary research suggests that Borrelia may directly infect the gastrointestinal tract. It is thus crucial to support the health of your gut if you have Lyme disease.
A growing body of research indicates that diet profoundly impacts gut health. There are certain foods you should prioritize to support your gut health, including:
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Why Antibiotics May Not Work For Lyme Disease
These days, early treatment is typically successful, according to the latest science, but most patients go undiagnosed for years. At least 20% of those who are said to be successfully treated for Lyme will experience the same symptoms after treatment, which as mentioned, can easily be attributed to a depleted immune system leading to Candida overgrowth or other fungal pathogens, opening the door for many other infections as well.
Antibiotic resistance occurs at a high rate with spirochete bacteria. Borrelia , will respond slowly to antibiotics. They will develop resistance. The bacteria that survive antibiotics can become completely antibiotic resistant. This is why doctors are starting to use multiple antibiotics at once seems, and this does lead to better chance of defeating Lyme, and depleting the immune system. If the medication fails, the bacteria that have survived will not only become resistant, but it will also become much more entrenched in the host.
Nutritional Support Of Lyme Disease
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Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is usually treated with tetracycline antibiotics. Clinical signs of Lyme disease can be vague and include lameness in multiple legs, enlarged joints, fever, and behavioral changes. The diagnosis of Lyme disease can be difficult and involves testing for high antibody levels against B. burgdorferi. Nutritional support aims to promote the immune response, reduce inflammation, and offset possible adverse gastrointestinal effects from antibiotics.
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been detailed extensively. Boosting immunity is just one advantage of supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, so this seems a natural choice for an immune-suppressed horse. Another advantage is a reduction in inflammatory responses. In fact, omega-3 fatty acids reduce arthritic pain and can potentially reduce the dose of anti-inflammatories used for joint pain. Select an omega-3 product that has been derived from fish oil, as these contain direct sources of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid , two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. For maximal palatability, marine-derived products such as fish oil should be deodorized and flavored. Check with the manufacturer to be sure the product has undergone these processes. One such product is EO-3, manufactured by Kentucky Equine Research .
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Try A Recipe From My Book
Sesame Chicken Salad
This refreshing salad manages to be both sweet and savory, with a lovely crunch thanks to the addition of slivered almonds. It requires very little prep time, especially if you make the shredded chicken ahead of time in a slow cooker.
The short amount of prep time required is perfect it youre short on time or energy for cooking. This salad contains several functional food ingredients beneficial for those with Lyme disease, including vitamin C-rich oranges and lime juice, folate-rich leafy greens, and anti-inflammatory extra-virgin olive oil.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 4 ounces cooked chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
- 1 cup fresh orange segments
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh ginger root
- 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ΒΌ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
An Overview Of Medical Treatment For Lyme Disease
Medical treatments for Lyme disease include antibiotics, herbal antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical drugs besides antibiotics. Combinations of antibiotics are typically used for Lyme disease treatment because the three types of Borrelia bacteria that cause Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi for short, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii, morph into different forms that must be targeted with different antibiotics. Antibiotics that are commonly used to treat Lyme disease include penicillins , cephalosporins , macrolides , and tetracyclines .
The natural world is filled with botanicals with antibiotic properties. Herbal antibiotic protocols incorporate many of natures most potent antibiotic plants. Two of the most popular herbal antibiotic protocols for Lyme disease include the Buhner and the Cowden protocols. A few notable herbs in these protocols include Japanese Knotweed , which, in addition to being antibacterial, contains phytochemicals that alleviate Lyme-induced inflammation, and Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a bitter botanical with potent anti-Borrelia activity.
Several non-antibiotic drugs are also used in Lyme disease treatment, including artemisinin, an antimalarial drug, and low-dose naltrexone , an immune system-modulating drug. You can read more about the applications of LDN for Lyme disease in my article, Low Dose Naltrexone for Lyme Disease Treatment.
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