Is There A Link Between Veterans Suicides And Lyme Disease
According to many medical experts, the largest cause of death from Lyme disease is suicide. According to Dr. Robert Bransfield, a psychiatrist who has studied the link between Lyme disease and suicide, as many as 1,200 suicides each year may be attributed to Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses.
Ruben Lee Sims is just one example of the countless veterans who have Lyme disease. For 34 years, he went undiagnosed and untreated until he finally found a doctor who specializes in Lyme disease and tick-borne diseases. Misdiagnosis can make life even more difficult for struggling veterans.
The Relief Of A Diagnosis
Editors Note: During Lyme Disease Awareness Month, were revisiting a story from NEXT magazine about lifechanging research happening on the MCV Campus at VCU Health that is giving hope to those who suffer from the disease.
The average Lyme disease patient sees five doctors over two years before they finally find a diagnosis Craig Suro is one of those patients.
In June 2015, Craig spent an afternoon archery hunting underneath the Huguenot Bridge on the James River. Two days later, he found two ticks on his waistline and removed them.
In the following weeks and months, he experienced symptoms ranging from a persistent cold and pain in his neck to cognitive impairment, exaggerated emotions and a severe lack of confidence.
He went to his general practitioner, who ran a full panel of bloodwork everything came back normal, including a test for Lyme disease.
By the end of August, I was unable to function as a human being, Craig told us. I could not leave the house. I was diagnosed as having a midlife crisis by my general practitioner, and he said nothing was physically wrong with me.
This is the story of countless Lyme disease patients. One day everything is fine, and then suddenly life is drastically altered. And the worst part is, many of these people are told that nothing is medically wrong with them.
Craig had an MRI that September that showed everything was normal. He asked his doctor to run the Lyme disease tests again, and the results came back negative.
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What Is Lyme Disease
First recognized in the United States in 1975 after a puzzling and unexplainable outbreak of debilitating health issues near Lyme, Connecticut, it was not until 1982 that doctors identified the correlation between deer ticks and Lyme disease.
The disease is caused by several strains of the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Once a tick emerges from an egg, it frequently becomes infected during its larval or nymph stage, as it feeds off small animals like squirrels, mice, or birds that carry the Lyme-causing bacteria. During the ticks subsequent feeding cycle, it passes the bacteria to a human, or another animal.
What Steps Should You Take When A Tick Bites You
As soon as you notice a tick on you, try to remove it. If you’re lucky, the tick won’t be buried in your skin. In this case, you can pull it off you and flush it down the toilet bowl. Don’t drop it on the floor or try to crush it because the tick could survive and bite you.
If the tick has already bitten you, proceed with caution. You need to remove the entire tick, which requires you to use tweezers and have a gentle touch. As you pull the tick out, avoid jerking or twisting the tweezers and do not puncture the body of the tick.
Once you remove the tick, flush it down the toilet bowl. If you notice the site of the bite becoming red or irritated, call a doctor. You may also want to check yourself for more ticks and look for ticks on your children.
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Lyme Disease And Tick
Lyme disease patients have difficulty finding doctors with experience treating Lyme disease. For the past 25 years, LymeDisease.org has been connecting patients with Lyme-literate practitioners who specialize in caring for patients with Lyme disease.
We are happy to connect you with your nearest Lyme literate practitioners contact information. Please note, however, we are not privy to the status on each individual offices payment/insurance practices or if they are accepting new patients, with that said, we do encourage you to use the information available to contact the offices directly.
Watch For Symptoms Of Disease
Removing the tick isn’t the only step you should take. After the tick is gone, keep an eye out for symptoms of illness. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can spread after a tick has been attached for at least four hours. The symptoms are usually a headache, fever, aches, and vomiting. For some, the symptoms are flu-like and appear two to 12 days after the tick bite.
This disease can also result in a rash on your wrists and ankles. Eventually, it may spread to your wrists and ankles. Fortunately, a doctor can treat Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever with antibiotics.
The symptoms of Lyme disease are different. Typically, this disease starts with a rash that resembles a bulls-eye. It tends to be at least two inches in and has a clear center around the tick bite. With Lyme disease, you develop flu-like symptoms. Consult with a doctor if you suspect any tick-borne disease.
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Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a serious illness that can majorly impact your health. The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash that resembles a bulls eye. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, and a skin rash called erythema migrans.
Doctors commonly identify Lyme disease by signs and the patients history of exposure to tick-infested regions.
Delaying Medical Treatment Can Be Dangerous
As we move from spring into summer, and into the peak period of tick activity in much of the Northern Hemisphere, time spent outdoors will increase, as will risk of tick-transmitted disease.
In some cases, there are key symptoms of a tick-transmitted disease that can help with diagnosis. For example, early Lyme disease, which is caused by the bite of an infected black-legged tick, sometimes called the deer tick, is commonly associated with an expanding bulls-eye rash.Seventy percent to 80% of patients have this symptom.
However, other symptoms of Lyme disease fever, head and body aches and fatigue are less distinctive and can be easily confused with other illnesses, including COVID-19. This can make it more difficult to diagnose a patient who did not notice a rash or was unaware that they ever had a tick bite. As a result, Lyme disease cases can be misdiagnosed. Nationally, Lyme disease may be undercounted to the point that only one in 10 cases is reported to the CDC.
A student plucks samples off a drag cloth used to collect ticks.Jory Brinkerhoff/University of Richmond
If Lyme disease is identified and treated quickly, two to four weeks of antibiotics can usually knock out Borrelia burgdorferi, the species of spirochete bacteria that causes it.
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Same Day And Affordable Testing For Lyme Disease Locations Nationwide
Known as “The Great Imitator,” Lyme disease can mimic the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Request A Test offers convenient and affordable Testing For Lyme Disease in Richmond, VA.
A Lyme Disease Antibodies Test or Lyme Disease PCR Test can confirm the presence of the bacteria responsible for this disease. The CDC recommends that a positive result for either of these tests be followed up with a Western Blot Test for confirmation. In the event of a positive or indeterminate result of a Lyme Disease Antibodies test, a confirmatory Western Blot test will be automatically run at no additional charge. For those monitoring their treatment, the CD57 is available.
You Have Absolutely Nothing To Lose
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Our Treatment Success Stories
âI am incredibly grateful for Dr. Fong and the entire team at Sierra Integrative Medical Center for helping me get my life back. After 10 years of searching for answers, and being dismissed by countless doctors, Dr. Fong took the time to really review my story and was the first doctor to see me, believe me, and help me get a diagnosis. Dr. Fong showed me that you CAN get better and have symptom free days again! Thank you, Dr. Fong, for everything!â
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“The Doctors are western trained and practice alternative medicine, so I feel like we have the best of both worlds here. I would definitely encourage anyone to checkout the clinic because it has given us hope where we’d had none before.”
– LaJean, Lyme Disease Patients Mother
“It’s a great clinic. I really appreciate the perspective of the treatment. Dr. Fong is an internal medicine specialist, he’s focused on causes. With us he was able to go through and identify every single thing that is compromising the function of our immune system. I noticed a big improvement having the detox treatment… By the time we left a year ago there was a real sense of a depth of energy.”
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Can You Prove Lyme Disease
There is no single test that can definitively diagnose Lyme disease, and the diagnosis is often made based on a combination of symptoms, lab tests, and clinical examination.
As a result, some people may question whether Lyme disease is real. However, the evidence clearly shows that Lyme disease is a serious condition that needs to be taken seriously.
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Lyme Disease Surveillance Specialist Pay Faq In Richmond Va
The average salary for a Lyme Disease Surveillance Specialist is $38,984 per year in Richmond, VA. Salaries estimates are based on 1 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Lyme Disease Surveillance Specialist employees in Richmond, VA.
The highest salary for a Lyme Disease Surveillance Specialist in Richmond, VA is $62,215 per year.
The lowest salary for a Lyme Disease Surveillance Specialist in Richmond, VA is $24,427 per year.
Lyme Disease Isnt The Only Tick Problem
Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast and North Central U.S., but that does not mean that people in areas without Lyme disease are free from worry about tick-transmitted disease. Ticks throughout North America can spread a wide range of diseases, many of which also present with flu-like symptoms, leading to the potential for misdiagnosis, especially when these diseases are not especially common in the general population.
A closeup of a ticks head under an electron microscope.Fernando Otalora-Luna/University of Richmond
Spotted fevers are another group of tick-transmitted diseases. The most severe of these is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be fatal. Spotted fevers, as the name suggests, are typically associated with a rash. But the rash may not show until after fever and other flu-like symptoms, creating the same risk of being mistaken for COVID-19. Like Lyme disease, spotted fevers can be treated with anitibiotics, and early treatment can head off more severe infections, so quick, accurate diagnosis is critical.
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What To Do If Bitten By A Tick In Richmond Va
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as a hike on a sunny day. But, no matter how much you have a spirit for adventure, you probably don’t like the risk of running into a tick. Even as you enjoy your own backyard, you could be the next victim of this dangerous parasite. Find out what you should do when you experience a tick bite in Richmond.
Why Your Reaction Matters
If you’re bit by a mosquito or ant, there’s not much you can do to change the outcome. Regardless of the type of cream you put on the bite, you’ll probably experience itching and discomfort. And although a mosquito bite comes with the risk of a disease, there’s not much you can do other than monitor for symptoms.
With a tick bite, you need to be more proactive. There are several ticks in Richmond, and they all can burrow into your skin. One of the least dangerous ticks is the brown dog tick because it’s not known to carry diseases. However, the lone star tick and American dog tick both have the ability to transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Meanwhile, the deer tick is known to spread Lyme disease. Any tick that digs into your skin needs to be safely removed, or you could develop an infection. If you don’t react quickly and properly to a tick bite, your health could be in danger.
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Lyme Disease In Relation To Invasive Cervical Cancer And Hiv Related Illness
In some cases, Lyme disease can also lead to more serious problems such as invasive cervical cancer, HIV-related illness, and immune disorders.
Lyme disease is particularly dangerous for people with HIV as it can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off other infections. In addition, Lyme disease can mimic the symptoms of other HIV-related illnesses and HIV-related constitutional symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose.
Lyme disease can lead to serious complications, including neurological problems, heart problems, and even death if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing serious health problems in people with HIV infected with Lyme disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The Tick
- RMSF is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected American dog tick.
- The infected tick must be attached to a human for only about four hours to transmit the bacteria.
Symptoms:
- RMSF is characterized by a sudden onset of moderate to high fever , severe headache, fatigue, deep muscle pain, chills and rash.
- The rash begins on the legs or arms, may include the soles of the feet or palms of the hands and may spread rapidly to the trunk or rest of the body.
Treatment
- Certain antibiotics such as tetracycline or chloramphenicol may be effective in treating the disease.
- RMSF can be fatal, so if you are concerned about symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
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What Does The Va Do For Suicidal Patients
The VA has a unique mission for suicide prevention. As the largest provider of mental health services to veterans, the VA is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive support and treatment to those at risk for suicide.
The VA has implemented several initiatives to prevent suicide among veterans, including providing 24/7 crisis counseling, establishing Veterans Crisis Lines, and partnering with local crisis centers. In addition, the VA has created a dedicated suicide prevention team that works to identify veterans at risk for suicide and connect them with appropriate resources.
Is Autoimmune Disease A Va Disability
Autoimmune diseases are difficult to live with under any circumstances, but they can be especially challenging for veterans.
In addition to the physical symptoms, many sufferers also experience anxiety, depression, and long-term fatigue. These conditions can make it difficult to work and maintain meaningful relationships.
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A Disease Or Condition Treated By Functional & Integrative Medicine
Our Team
Aaron Hartman, MD is board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine in addition to his active board certification in Family Medicine. Dr. Hartman started Virginia Research Center in 2010 and is a Key Opinion Leader for Novum Nordisk in diabetes research. He is an assistant clinical professor of Family Medicine at VCU and physician with Family Practice Associates in Midlothian, VA.
Aaron Hartman, MD is board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine in addition to his active board certification in Family Medicine. Dr. Hartman started Virginia Research Center in 2010 and is a Key Opinion Leader for Novum Nordisk in diabetes research. He is an assistant clinical professor of Family Medicine at VCU and physician with Family Practice Associates in Midlothian, VA.
Christian Jenski, MD joined Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in October of 2018. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine.
Christian Jenski, MD joined Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in October of 2018. He is dual board certified in Emergency Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine.