Lyme Disease (Lyme Borreliosis)

Definition 

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme Borreliosis, is the most prevalent vector-borne illness in the United States. It is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and, less commonly, Borrelia mayonii, transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Lyme disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and a unique skin rash known as erythema migraines. If not treated quickly, it can progress to affect joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms, physical signs like the rash, and potential exposure to infected ticks, with laboratory testing being a useful adjunct.

While about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported annually in the U.S., actual numbers are likely higher, with estimates suggesting around 476,000 people may contract the disease each year. However, Lyme disease is not limited to the U.S., with data indicating that roughly 14% of the world’s population either has or has had the disease.

Causes / Risk Factors

• Tick bite (from a tick carrying the borrelia bacteria; deer tick in North America)
• Region (Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic USA, throughout Europe)
• Habitat (wooded, shrubby or grassy areas)
• Time of year (greater risk of infection during the spring, summer and fall)

Symptoms & Signs

Lyme disease can lead to a variety of symptoms, which differ based on the stage of infection and can be either acute or chronic.

Early Signs and Symptoms (3 to 30 days post-tick bite):

• Erythema Migrans Rash: This is the most recognizable symptom, occurring in about 70 to 80% of infected individuals. It usually starts at the tick bite site, gradually expanding over several days, and can reach over 12 inches across. The rash may feel warm, often resembles a bull’s-eye, and can appear anywhere on the body.
• General Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes are common. These symptoms may occur even without the rash, often resembling flu-like symptoms.

Later Signs and Symptoms (days to months post-tick bite):

• Neurological Symptoms: These include severe headaches, neck stiffness, facial palsy (drooping of one or both sides of the face), and nerve pain. Some people experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
• Musculoskeletal Symptoms: Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees, along with intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones.
• Cardiac Symptoms: Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, known as Lyme carditis.
• Sensory Symptoms: Episodes of numbness, tingling, or shooting pains in the hands or feet.

Acute vs. Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms:

• Acute Symptoms: These are similar to early-stage symptoms and often misinterpreted as flu-like illnesses. They include the erythema migrans lesion, fatigue, headache, sweats, chills, migrating muscle and joint pain, and neck pain.
• Chronic Symptoms: Chronic Lyme disease can mimic other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. Symptoms include neuropsychiatric issues (depression, anxiety, sudden aggression), cognitive dysfunction (brain fog), sleep disturbances, neuropathy, chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, and chronic fatigue.

Diet and Lifestyle Considerations for Lyme Disease

• Eliminate inflammatory foods
• Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods
• Support the immune system
• Support gut health
• Focus on a balanced diet

Integrative Treatments Overview

An effective approach to Lyme disease treatment prioritizes early and appropriate antibiotic intervention to halt disease progression. Integral to this is an integrative methodology that encompasses the identification of co-infections and triggers, as well as bolstering the immune and detoxification systems. This approach is crucial in directly targeting the infection. In functional medicine, the treatment of Lyme Disease involves a comprehensive plan that not only focuses on the direct management of the disease (including addressing erythema migrans, neurologic Lyme disease, Lyme carditis, and Lyme arthritis) but also emphasizes optimizing the individual’s immune response and detoxification processes. This typically includes managing co-existing infections that may be present due to tick bites carrying multiple diseases.

Nutritional & Environmental Medicine Overview

An integrative strategy for Lyme disease treatment emphasizes early and proper antibiotic therapy to prevent disease progression and late-stage complications like erythema migrans, neurologic Lyme disease, Lyme carditis, and Lyme arthritis. This approach goes beyond conventional treatment, focusing on identifying co-infections, enhancing the immune and detox systems, and directly targeting the infection.

It is recommended that a patient consult a certified practitioner to assess their symptoms and case history and explore their individual needs.

Comprehensive Treatment Strategy

• Identify Co-Infections: The most common co-infections include Babesiosis, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsia rickettsii, and Anaplasma.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics are fundamental for acute Lyme disease. Integrative medicine complements this with herbs, supplements, and natural therapies to support the immune system and reduce inflammation.
• Nutritional Support: A nutrient-rich diet tailored to individual needs strengthens the immune system and mitigates inflammation.
• Detoxification: Lyme disease can lead to toxin accumulation, necessitating support for the body’s natural detoxification pathways.
• Herbal and Botanical Therapies: These offer antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties and are tailored to combat Lyme bacteria effectively.
• Mind-Body Practices: Techniques like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and biofeedback are crucial for stress management and balancing the nervous system.
• Mental Health Support: Given the increased risk of suicide and neuropsychiatric issues in Lyme patients, mental health is a critical aspect of treatment.

Nutritional and Botanical Approaches to Lyme Disease

• Diet: Dietary choices are pivotal in managing Lyme disease. Emphasis is placed on anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, known for its whole, fresh foods while limiting processed foods, dairy, and gluten. This approach is customized based on individual needs, considering factors like the microbiome, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation levels, and medications.
• Essential Oils: Oils like garlic, allspice, myrrh, hydacheim, Litsea Cubeba, and cinnamon bark oil show activity against B. burgdorferi. (A study in 2018 identified ten essential oils that had better activity against B. burgdorferi cells at the stationary phase than current antibiotics for treating Lyme disease: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2017.00169/full)
• Botanical Medicines: Plants such as “yellow dye root” (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta), “eastern American black walnut” (Juglans nigra), “Japanses knotweed” (Polygonum cuspidatum), “cat’s claw” (Uncaria tomentosa), “sweet wormwood” (Artemisia annua, Cistus creticus), “pink rock rose” (Cistus creticus) and “Chinese skullcap” (Scutellaria baicalensis) demonstrate promise in treating Lyme disease.
• Nutritional Supplements: Customized supplementation can enhance immune function. Practitioners may conduct nutritional assessments to personalize supplement regimens.
• Spore-Forming Probiotics: Have strong clinical support to warrant NIH investment in large scale research.

In conclusion, an integrative approach to Lyme disease treatment aims to not only address the infection but also support the patient’s overall health and well-being, underscoring the importance of a multi-faceted treatment strategy. Consulting healthcare professionals experienced in Lyme disease is vital for developing a personalized treatment plan.