Lyme Disease
About Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is a tick-borne disease and according to the CDC, “is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States”. It is a bacterial infection caused by a spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). This organism is able to use the body’s own proteins to encapsulate itself and go into a dormant state. It can also enter the body’s cells, which allows it to prevent some or all antibiotics and the immune system from reaching it. When the Bb organism resumes an active state, they are able to resume reproduction, reestablishing the Lyme infection. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms, report of possible exposure to infected ticks, and at times, lab tests. If Lyme Disease is not treated, it can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. Patients with Lyme Disease may also experience co-infections.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
- Bull’s-eye rash
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
- Rash (erythema migrans)
- Swollen lymph nodes
Complications from Lyme Disease
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Joint pain and swelling
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- Nerve pain
- Shooting pain, numbness, tingling in the hands and feet
If untreated Lyme Disease may cause:
- Arthritis
- Heart abnormalities
- Bell’s Palsy
- Memory Loss
- Confusion
- Psychiatric problems
Our Approach to Lyme Disease
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Traditional treatment for Lyme Disease involves antibiotics, either oral, injections, or IV. Co-infections frequently require a different treatment plan than antibiotic therapy as they are not always effective for Lyme Disease. The bacteria associated with Lyme Disease are very sensitive to oxygen and are debilitated in a highly oxygenated environment. Research shows a significant improvement when HBOT is used to treat Lyme Disease, even with patients who have not been successful with antibiotic therapy. HBOT decreases inflammation, oxygenates the entire body, stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and releases stem cells, up to 800% more after twenty sessions. Research shows that the efficiency of antibiotics in the case of Lyme Disease is increased as new blood vessel growth allows the medication to penetrate deeper into tissues.
QEEG & Neurofeedback Therapy (NFB)
A Quantitative EEG shows us electrical activity of the brain. We will be able to see if inflammation is present, if there are any areas of hyper- or hypoactivity, and any areas of disconnect. Patients with Lyme Disease may experience Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and may have pain, neurocognitive or fatigue symptoms, headaches, brain fog, and sleep disorders. PTLDS seems to occur more frequently after Lyme that has caused neurological involvement. Research suggests that the brain becomes more sensitive to pain signals and does not reset after the infection, causing the increased sensitivity to continue. Using the information from the QEEG, we can focus on the area(s) of the brain most affected and bring those areas back into balance using Neurofeedback Therapy.
Our Approach to Lyme Disease
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Traditional treatment for Lyme Disease involves antibiotics, either oral, injections, or IV. Co-infections frequently require a different treatment plan than antibiotic therapy as they are not always effective for Lyme Disease. The bacteria associated with Lyme Disease are very sensitive to oxygen and are debilitated in a highly oxygenated environment. Research shows a significant improvement when HBOT is used to treat Lyme Disease, even with patients who have not been successful with antibiotic therapy. HBOT decreases inflammation, oxygenates the entire body, stimulates the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and releases stem cells, up to 800% more after twenty sessions. Research shows that the efficiency of antibiotics in the case of Lyme Disease is increased as new blood vessel growth allows the medication to penetrate deeper into tissues.
QEEG & Neurofeedback Therapy (NFB)
A Quantitative EEG shows us electrical activity of the brain. We will be able to see if inflammation is present, if there are any areas of hyper- or hypoactivity, and any areas of disconnect. Patients with Lyme Disease may experience Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and may have pain, neurocognitive or fatigue symptoms, headaches, brain fog, and sleep disorders. PTLDS seems to occur more frequently after Lyme that has caused neurological involvement. Research suggests that the brain becomes more sensitive to pain signals and does not reset after the infection, causing the increased sensitivity to continue. Using the information from the QEEG, we can focus on the area(s) of the brain most affected and bring those areas back into balance using Neurofeedback Therapy.