Lyme Disease
Lyme is a common vector-borne disease that tick and insect bites transmit. It can cause a rash or flu-like symptoms, but can also result in a large variety of illnesses including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, mood disorders and anxiety, arthritis and chronic pain, neurological disorders, and the autism spectrum. William Billica, MD, and the team at Tri-Life Health in Fort Collins, Colorado, offer Lyme disease evaluations and treatments to address cognitive or neurological impairments, inflammatory conditions, and other serious complications. Call the office to get tested for Lyme disease if you’re exhibiting symptoms.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a disease caused by bacteria, transmitted by the bite blood-sucking insects and ticks. You can get Lyme disease from just about any area of the country now, and the diagnosis is often difficult to establish, which means it is often missed. Lyme is often associated with multiple other co-infections that need to be addressed at the same time. Detecting and treating Lyme disease helps prevent serious medical complications.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary based on how long you’ve had the disease:
Early stages
In the early stages of Lyme disease (within 30 days of an infected bite), you might notice a rash or red area that looks like a bull’s eye pattern. However, the rash only shows up a small percentage of the time. You may also experience chills, fever, body aches, joint inflammation, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Late stages
If left untreated, additional symptoms of Lyme disease can appear over the next few weeks or months. You might develop a rash on other parts of your body, joint pain, and neurological problems like meningitis, numbness, weakness, impaired muscle movements, and paralysis on one side of your face. It can also cause anxiety, mood disorders, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and can mimic many other illnesses.
Complications associated with Lyme disease are Lyme disease co-infections, arthritis, impaired memory, autoimmune and neurological disorders, and heart rhythm problems.
What are the risk factors for Lyme disease?
Your chance of developing Lyme disease increases if you spend time outdoors in grassy or heavily wooded areas. Your risk also increases if your skin is exposed when you’re outdoors, so wear protective clothing or use insect repellent when you’re in wooded areas. Check your skin for ticks regularly if you live in an area with ticks.
How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
To diagnose Lyme disease, your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history and may complete a physical exam. They can use lab tests to confirm or rule out Lyme disease and other diseases spread by ticks.
How is Lyme disease treated?
Your personalized treatment at Tri-Life Health might include oral antibiotics for Lyme disease in its early stage (acute Lyme disease), or intravenous antimicrobials to treat chronic Lyme disease.
Lyme disease can be totally and successfully treated if a comprehensive strategy is used. This may include dealing with digestive and immune imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, addressing the co-infections and co-existing mold or parasites, and dealing with the biofilm and toxins created by the infections.
The providers at Tri-Life Health have years of experience and very good success in dealing with the complications and challenges of recent or chronic Lyme.
Don’t let Lyme disease go undetected and cause long-lasting symptoms. Call Tri-Life Health to schedule an appointment today.
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