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What is Lyme Disease
The Borrelia organism is evasive. These bacteria have a spiral shape which allows them to burrow or transport themselves more easily than other bacteria. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and “hide” in the central nervous system for weeks, months or even years before activating or causing symptoms.
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Testing for Lyme disease
Because of the variety of symptoms associated with tick-borne illnesses, it is essential you get tested as soon as symptoms appear. With a proper diagnosis along with a holistic treatment for Lyme disease, you can fully recover from a tick-borne illness.
The CDC recommends two step testing, sometimes referred to as a 2 tiered test for Lyme disease. The first is ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). This blood test is for antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria. Because it can take some time for your body to produce antibodies, this test isn’t always accurate soon after a person is infected.
There are 2 options for the second test. Once is called a Western blot, which looks at how your antibodies react to specific parts of the Lyme disease bacteria. The Western blot has been part of the 2 step testing system since 1994 and is commonly used.
The other option is to do a second ELISA test, which measures antibodies to a specific protein found on Lyme disease bacteria. Because these tests are newer, not all doctors have experience with them and not all labs have access to them.
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Natural Medicine
Typically Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. The research shows that antibiotics do not kill the Lyme bacteria but do prevent it from reproducing/multiplying. It is the immune system and overall health of the person with Lyme disease that helps with the symptoms. Using supplements and herbs that boost the immune system specific herbs that have been proven to kill Lyme bacteria, has shown to be most effective. Because the symptoms experienced from a case of Lyme disease can vary from person to person, an individualized approach to the treatment of Lyme disease is essential.
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What patients are saying
I want to thank you for all the help you have given me. I remember the day I met you when I was having one of the worst days of my life. You were patient with me and did more to improve my health than any other medical professional I have ever seen. You used a holistic approach to get my health to where it should be and I certainly appreciate this. I would not be where I am without your help!