What is lyme disease

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Lyme disease is a bacterial infection most commonly contracted through a tick bite. It can initially cause flu-like symptoms that persist, often accompanied by a distinctive "bullseye" rash around the bite site. However, not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash, and in some cases, the infection can go unnoticed for years.

The bullseye rash, known as erythema migrans, is a hallmark sign of Lyme disease. It typically forms at the site of a tick bite, expanding into a red ring with a clear center, resembling a target. While this rash is a key indicator, it does not appear in every case, leading to confusion and misdiagnosis for some individuals.

“I personally never saw a tick on myself or had the classic bullseye rash. What I found is that many healthcare providers believe you must have a known tick bite and the characteristic rash to have Lyme disease. This felt misleading. How could I test positive for Lyme but not have the so-called 'hallmark' symptoms? Could I have been bitten unknowingly, or perhaps years ago, with the bacteria lying dormant in my body? These were the questions I had.”

Unfortunately, while there are answers to some of these concerns, practical solutions for Lyme disease treatment remain scarce. I've heard others dismiss Lyme disease entirely, claiming "there's no Lyme here" or that "Lyme doesn't exist in Ontario"—which seems odd, considering ticks don't respect borders.

The primary infection in Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia bacteria, but ticks also transmit several co-infections, including Ehrlichia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and Babesia. These pathogens, rather than the tick itself, are responsible for the illness. Borrelia is known as the "Great Imitator" because its symptoms overlap with more than 100 other diseases, making it challenging to diagnose. Due to its spiral shape, Borrelia can infiltrate nearly every organ in the body.

Lyme disease is the fastest-growing tick-borne illness in North America and Europe, with cases rapidly increasing to epidemic levels. It is one of the most underdiagnosed and politically debated diseases, particularly in Canada, where inadequate testing and delayed treatment can lead to chronic, debilitating illness.

Acute Lyme disease is typically recognized when a person experiences flu-like symptoms following a known tick bite, often with the appearance of the bullseye rash. Other symptoms may include joint pain and swelling (especially in children). Standard treatment usually consists of a 2-4 week course of antibiotics. 

Chronic Lyme disease, however, is far more complex and often misunderstood by healthcare professionals. Inadequate testing, especially in Canada, leads to misdiagnosis, with Lyme disease being mistaken for conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), ALS, colitis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis (in children) or even autism. Chronic Lyme can cause a wide range of symptoms that affect many different bodily systems.

Treatment options for Lyme disease include antibiotics, (at S.L we do not administer Antibiotics)  bio-resonance therapy, herbal remedies, and various nutritional therapies, though effective care can often be elusive, especially for chronic cases.

For more information on Lyme disease and its symptoms, please refer to the resources available at ILADS.org.