ticked off
While many consider summer the best time of the year, it comes with a myriad of challenges. Heat, humidity, allergies and poor air quality all ramp up in spring and peak in the summer months. The seasonal issue with the most severe and possibly long-term effects, however, are illnesses caused by ticks.
Ticks live in grassy, bushy or wooded areas, preferably shady and moist. They are attracted to animals and humans and may either bite right away, which you typically don’t feel, or attach to skin or fur. If a tick is attached, it is advised that you remove it using tweezers, straight up with no twisting, and seal it into a container or jar. Disinfect the area with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
What illnesses are caused by ticks?
LYME DISEASE: This is the number one illness associated with tick bites. Lyme Disease is caused by the tick transmitting the borrelia bacteria via a bite. (Not all ticks carry this bacteria.) It affects almost 500,000 people in the US annually, with symptoms including fever, headache, chills, fatigue, joint pain, a circular rash around the bite, and swollen lymph nodes. For most people, the rash is the first sign of the illness as it starts 3-30 days after getting the bite. A lab test would determine a diagnosis. About 90% recover after a 2-4 weeks course of antibiotics. Herbs such as Ghanaian quinine and Japanese knotweed, in a 7-day course of treatment, have been shown to hinder the bacteria from proliferating as well as kill entire microcolonies of the bacteria.
About 10% of those who have Lyme experience ongoing symptoms known as Chronic Lyme Disease. A lot is unknown about Chronic Lyme, including whether it is caused by lingering bacteria or immune system dysfunction resulting from the infection. Symptoms of Chronic Lyme include persistent fatigue, joint or muscle pain, brain fog, neuropathy and sleep disturbances.
In some cases, people do not know they have Lyme at all. It may appear weeks, months or years later, often coinciding with other immune system insults such as mold. Signs of untreated Lyme Disease include neurological issues, heart rhythm irregularities and chronic joint inflammation.
Chronic Lyme is often not recognized by traditional medicine, and patients can be mistakenly diagnosed with other conditions. (These may include neurological disorders or even cancer.) A test for Lyme can help rule out whether this is the cause of your chronic symptoms. Lyme Serology IgG and IgM tests determine if antibodies are present; a Western blot test provides more specific information. These tests are not completely accurate in both positive and negative results.
While traditional medicine uses antibiotics for Lyme, functional medicine focuses on reducing inflammation associated with it. Natural support for Lyme includes:
Omega 3s for joint pain and overall inflammation.
Cat’s Claw for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and help with balancing the immune system.
Garlic helps boost the immune system and has antibacterial properties. It also helps with oxidative stress.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, immune-supporting and white-blood cell boosting benefits.
B vitamins have cell-boosting properties that support the mitochondria and help with neurological issues.
Melatonin and Theanine help with calming and support sleep.
Vitamin D is important to supporting the immune system.
Andographis is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and neuroprotective.
Glutathione helps the body detoxify to help support healing.
Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt is recognized as one of the pioneers of Lyme treatments. See his protocol: https://klinghardtinstitute.com/dr-klinghardt-biological-lyme-protocol/
BARTONELLA: Bartonella is also known as “Cat Scratch Disease.” While it can be transmitted by cats, it is most commonly acquired via ticks, mosquitos, lice and fleas. Symptoms of bartonella infection include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, headaches and skin rash. In more rare, advanced cases, it has been associated with partial paralysis, hallucinations, weight loss and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Bartonella may occur as a co-infection with Lyme, which exacerbates symptoms of both. It is typically diagnosed with a lab test. The infection may be treated with antibiotics, with best results usually occurring with a combination of herbals and antibiotics.
Bartonella bacteria can be covered in biofilms, which protect the bacteria from antibiotics and an immune system response. It also has “persister” cells, a hibernating form of the germ that ignores antibiotics. In addition, the germs may attach to fibrins which then form nests, which block antimicrobial activity. These make bartonella a difficult infection to eradicate.
Lumbrokinase has been shown to successfully break up fibrins. Oregano oil has been found to be effective in attacking the bacteria, the biofilm and persisters. Clove and cinnamon oils also help for the persister cells.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER: This is yet another and lesser-known illness caused by a tick bite. RMSF causes the cells to rupture, leading blood and cellular waste to leak into different tissues of the body. Symptoms include persistent high fever, headache, chills, extreme fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and neurological symptoms. Its name, unfortunately, is not indicative of where it occurs: RMSF has been on the upswing and cases have been reported across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. A diagnosis is made via blood test or skin lesion culture. Since this illness moves quickly, a diagnosis should be made as soon as possible. Treatment typically includes antibiotics such as doxycycline.
Obtaining a diagnosis of any of these diseases can be difficult, as they are not on the radar of many general practitioners. It is even more challenging when these symptoms manifest into “chronic” symptoms and persist for years. (i.e. most doctors do not think of testing for Lyme when they see neurological symptoms.) It is important to be your own advocate. If a doctor will not order a test, you may do so yourself via an online testing service. (See the “Resources” page of my website for more information.) If you have a positive diagnosis for Chronic Lyme or Bartonella, you can seek out a physician with expertise in the field.
Of course, the best path is to avoid these illnesses altogether, which is not too difficult:
Avoid grassy or wooded areas.
Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes/boots and a hat when outside.
Use bug spray.
Wear light colored clothing, so it is easier to spot the ticks.
Check your hair and clothing once you come inside.
Check your pets after they have been outside. You may want to use a lint roller on them to remove anything you can’t see.
