LYME DISEASE is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It is causes by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to human through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks but more research reports transmission by fleas, mosquitoes, lice, fleas and bed bugs. Another common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash (referred to as “Erythema migrans”. As many as 80% of infected people may develop a rash, and roughly 20% of the time the rash has a characteristic “bull’s-eye” appearance. When left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
The Most Common Tick-Borne Diseases?
Some of the most common tick-borne diseases – particularly in the United States include:(2)
- Lyme Disease (more formally known as Borrelia Burgdorferi)
- Babesiosis
- Bartonella
- Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis
- Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Symptoms include (partial list as there might be up to 150 different symptoms and they could vary by
individual):
Fever
Headache and /or neck stiffness
Confusion, disorientation
Joint pain and/or muscle pains
Rashes and skin issues
Loss of appetite and or weight loss
Extreme fatigue
Heart palpitations or irregular heart beat
Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
Nerve pain
Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands and feet
Digestive issues: gastroparesis, leaky gut syndrome, SIBO
The key to being healthy is a robust immune system. Testing is essential but is limited to a small piece of
a much larger segment of unknown. These microbes are stealth pathogens and opportunistic. Testing can uncover the presence of other vector borne diseases (babesia, ehrlichia, rickettsia, anaplasma), or viral reactivation of a herpes-type virus for which prescription medication may provide a benefit.
Testing: the total microbiome of the body consists of many thousands of microbe species which majority can be stealth and opportunistic. There are no absolutes when it comes to testing stealth microbes and a negative test does not rule out the presence of a vector borne disease present.
Insurance policies are highly variable in coverage for out of network labs. Most in network labs only perform basic level testing, which often carries a low probabilit if actually diagnosing the mircobe.
See Dr. Rawls Complete Guide to Lyme Disease and co-infection tests Dr. Rawls Complete Guide to Lyme
Disease and Coinfection Tests | Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine (faim.org)
Treatment is often best coordinated by a Functional Medicine practitioner. This can include antibiotics, herbal protocols, Nutrition and supplementation, sleep promotion. Other modalities including Intravenous ozone, Vitamin C, peptide therapy etc. Monarch’s treatment program can vary based on length of infection, prior treatment, combination of symptoms, lifestyle, family history and more. We follow CDC guidelines and proper medical testing guidelines.
References
1. Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease | CDC
2. Clinicians | Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) | CDC
3. Signs and Symptoms | Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) | CDC
4. CDC – Babesiosis – Disease
5. CDC.gov/lyme/diagnosis testing/index.html
6. Rawls, B MD 2023, January 17 Dr Rawls Complete Guide to Lyme Disease and Coinfection Tests
https//www.rawlsmd.com
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product
mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The
information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your
physician. Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.
Franca Gardner
ANP-BC, DiHom