Lyme Disease Illness & Diagnosis

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Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is a serious health concern in North America, with an estimated 300,000 new cases in the United States and 2,851 new cases in Canada each year (based on 2021 statistics). However, it is believed that the actual number of cases may be higher due to underdiagnosis, particularly in Canada where a political controversy surrounding the disease has led to challenges in accessing regular diagnostic channels. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks and if left untreated, can lead to serious complications including joint pain, heart problems, and neurological issues. To prevent infection, it is essential to take preventive measures such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing tick checks. If you suspect you have been bitten by a tick and are experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

How Does Someone Get Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. However, it is also possible to contract the disease through other forms of transmission, including flea and mosquito bites, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Additionally, consumption of unpasteurized milk or sexual contact can also be a mode of transmission. It is important to be aware of the different ways Lyme disease can be contracted and take preventive measures such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing tick checks to reduce the risk of infection. If you suspect you have been exposed to the disease, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?

iagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging as the symptoms can mimic those of other illnesses and the tests available may not be sensitive enough to detect the infection. At Ananta Health, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing Lyme disease by considering the patient's symptoms and medical history, performing BioScan SRT testing, and recommending additional testing with Armin Labs in Germany. This multi-faceted approach helps to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis and ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of this complex illness.

What Are the Initial Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

After an infection occurs a rash can develop as either a characteristic target rash (Erythema Migrans) or a different rash. Although the rash is considered a classic symptom, it is actually estimated that it only displays in 10% of patients. Traditionally the rash would be followed by fever and possibly joint pain, but unfortunately not everyone has an immediate obvious response to the infection. This can cause the infection to go undiagnosed for a long period of time.

What Are The Stages Of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a multi-system illness that can progress through several stages. The four stages of Lyme disease are:

Early Localized Lyme Disease: In this stage, the bacteria have not yet spread throughout the body and symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.
Early Disseminated Lyme Disease: In this stage, the bacteria have begun to spread throughout the body and symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and multiple erythema migrans rashes.
Late Disseminated Lyme Disease: In this stage, the bacteria have spread to joints and can affect the nervous system. Symptoms may include joint pain and neurological problems such as numbness, tingling, or Bell's palsy.
Late Persistent Lyme Disease: If Lyme disease is not promptly or effectively treated, damage to the joints, nerves, and brain may develop months or years after the initial infection. This is the last and often the most serious stage of the disease.

It is important to be aware of the different stages of Lyme disease and seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect you have been infected. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the progression to later stages and reduce the risk of serious complications.

What are the Symptoms of Chronic Persistent Lyme Disease?

Chronic Persistent Lyme Disease, also known as Late Persistent Lyme Disease, is the last and often the most serious stage of the disease, characterized by long-term symptoms and complications that persist despite treatment. Many individuals with Chronic Persistent Lyme Disease do not remember having a tick bite.

Symptoms of Chronic Persistent Lyme Disease can be diverse and can include neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or Bell's palsy, pain symptoms, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and many others. Some patients may only have a few symptoms, while others may have a wide range of symptoms. In some cases, the number of symptoms can be as high as 120, as seen in the case of Dr. Risk.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of Chronic Persistent Lyme Disease and seek medical attention if you suspect you may have the disease. To review further please see our complete Lyme symptom list. Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how to diagnose and treat this complex illness.

What Illnesses can be linked to Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a complex illness that can mimic the symptoms of other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. Some illnesses that are often misdiagnosed as Lyme disease include:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Parkinson's disease
Neurological disorders
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Alzheimer's disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus
Sjogren's Syndrome
Raynaud's Disease
Crohn's/Colitis
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Interstitial Cystitis
Meniere's Disease
Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

It is important to be aware of these conditions and their symptoms, and to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have been misdiagnosed. Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how to diagnose and treat this complex illness and the misdiagnosed conditions. With the right diagnosis, you can receive the right treatment and get on the path to recovery.

What Are Lyme Disease Co-Infections?

Lyme disease is not just a single infection, but often accompanied by other infections known as co-infections. These co-infections are also transmitted by ticks and can occur simultaneously with Lyme disease. The types of co-infections that can occur can vary depending on the geographic location and what the tick is specifically carrying.

Examples of Lyme Disease Co-Infections include Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These infections can cause a wide range of symptoms, and it is important to identify which co-infections are present in order to properly diagnose and treat the patient.

It is important to note that not all patients will have all infections and complications, but what is affecting each person needs to be identified as these infections will all intermingle together and can create a confusing plethora of symptoms. Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how to diagnose and treat these co-infections in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

Common Lyme Co-Infections are:

Some of the common Lyme co-infections include:

Babesia: A parasite that can cause severe anemia, fever, and flu-like symptoms.
Bartonella: A bacteria that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and neurological problems.
Ehrlichia: A bacteria that can cause fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
HPV (Human Parvovirus B19): A virus that causes a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
Mycoplasma fermentans (and other species): A bacteria that can cause flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and neurological problems.
Powassan Virus: A virus that can cause fever, headache, and neurological symptoms
Q Fever: A bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, and pneumonia.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: A bacterial infection that can cause fever, headache, and a rash.
Tick Paralysis: A condition caused by neurotoxins released by tick saliva, which can cause muscle weakness and even paralysis.
Tickborne Relapsing Fever: A bacterial infection that can cause fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
Tularemia and others: Other tick-borne diseases that can occur in conjunction with Lyme disease.

It is important to be aware of these common co-infections and their symptoms, and to seek medical attention if you suspect you have been infected. Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how to diagnose and treat these co-infections in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

What Are other Complications that Can Come with Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a multi-system illness that can cause a wide range of complications, not just from the infection itself, but also from other infections or conditions that can develop as a result of a weakened immune system or poor detox pathways. Some of the potential complications associated with Lyme disease include:

Biofilm: A protective barrier that the bacteria can form, making it more difficult to treat.
Parasites: A wide range of parasites can infect a person with Lyme disease.
Candida: A type of fungus that can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Neurotoxicity: Damage to the nervous system caused by the toxins released by the bacteria.
Heavy Metal Toxicity: Exposure to heavy metals can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Mold Toxicity: Exposure to mold can cause a wide range of symptoms
Adrenal Fatigue or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Viruses: A wide range of viruses can infect a person with Lyme disease.
Other Bacteria: A wide range of bacteria can infect a person with Lyme disease.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: A condition that causes the immune system to overreact to certain triggers.
The Patient's own Genetics and Specific Situation: Every person's situation is unique and can vary.
Diet: A poor diet can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections.
Exposure to Chemicals, Wi-Fi, radon and other irritants
Cavitations and other dental complications

It is important to be aware of these potential complications and to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have been infected. Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how to diagnose and treat this complex illness and its complications in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

What is the Treatment for Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a complex illness that requires a multi-faceted approach for treatment. Conventional medicine often ignores the disease or does not offer adequate treatment options, leaving many patients in pain and with a poor quality of life.

Treatment for Lyme disease can be complicated and individualized, as each case is unique and requires a specific approach. At Ananta Health, antibiotics are not used as the primary treatment for Lyme disease, instead, anti-microbial herbs, Chinese Medicine, supplements, and other treatments are used to address the infection and its complications.

The treatment process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's history and testing with BioScan SRT. It is important to identify physical causes or contributors and other complications such as parasites, candida, post-viral syndrome, food sensitivities and allergies, heavy metal toxicity, and environmental sensitivities need to be determined.

Dr. Risk at Ananta Health takes a personalized approach to treatment, ensuring that each patient's specific needs are addressed, and that they leave with a full understanding of their care. It is important to take the treatment slower to prevent neurotoxicity.

Ananta Health provides a holistic approach to Lyme Disease, and its complications, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

How Can Acupuncture Help Treat Lyme Disease?

Acupuncture is a complementary therapy that can be used in conjunction with other treatments to help manage the symptoms of Lyme disease. Acupuncture can help to reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep, alleviate digestive complaints, and aid in the body's natural detoxification process.

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body, known as acupoints, using thin needles. This stimulation can help to regulate the body's natural healing response, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.

Acupuncture can also help to relieve pain and improve overall well-being. Many patients with Lyme disease may experience chronic pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that can greatly impact their quality of life. Acupuncture can help to alleviate these symptoms and improve overall functioning.

Additionally, Acupuncture can help to strengthen the immune system, allowing the body to better fight off the infection.

Ananta Health can provide you with more information on how acupuncture can be used to help treat Lyme disease and its symptoms. It is important to consult with a practitioner who has experience treating Lyme disease and its complications to get the best results.