Tick Talk - Understanding the Complexities of Lyme Disease

Understanding the Complexities of Lyme Disease

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and together as a Community, we're committed to raising awareness and increasing education about this serious and growing concern. May also marks when ticks, the carriers of Lyme Disease, become active again across many parts of the United States. We're here to share the information you need, the symptoms to watch for, practical prevention tips, and how Knew Health's Medical Cost Sharing approach can provide peace of mind if Lyme affects someone in your family.

Lyme Disease develops from the bite of a black-legged tick (also known as a deer tick) carrying Borrelia bacteria. While these ticks can be found throughout the US, they're most commonly encountered in the upper midwestern states and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions. They tend to be most active during spring, summer, and fall months.

The disease can occur when you're bitten by an infected tick. The Lyme-causing bacteria can be transmitted to its host in approximately 24 hours, though many researchers continue to explore whether transmission might occur sooner. It's essential to remove a tick immediately if you discover one. Make sure you use the proper removal method to extract it completely, ensuring no parts remain embedded in your skin.

Sometimes, detecting a tick bite can be straightforward. If a tick has burrowed into your skin and created an itchy bump, that's typically a clear indication you've been bitten. While not all tick bites lead to Lyme Disease, there's usually no question about whether you've been bitten when you have visible evidence. Consider saving the tick and sending it to a laboratory for testing—this can provide valuable information for your healthcare journey.

However, detecting a tick bite can also be incredibly challenging. Some ticks are so tiny they're barely visible unless you're specifically looking for them. If the tick falls off before you notice it or is well-hidden on your body, a tick bite can easily be overlooked or mistaken for another insect's bite. Many Members of our Community who've been diagnosed with Lyme Disease don't even remember experiencing a tick bite.

What makes identifying Lyme Disease particularly tricky is that symptoms often mimic other conditions. It's common for individuals to be misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or lupus because the symptoms overlap significantly. Additionally, early Lyme blood work can be imperfect, sometimes providing false results. Blood work often won't detect Lyme Disease positively for six weeks, which can lead to many misdiagnosed symptoms during that crucial early period.

According to the Global Lyme Alliance , the symptoms of Lyme Disease manifest in stages. An early diagnosis can greatly improve your wellness outcomes. Symptoms vary significantly from person to person—over a hundred different symptoms have been recorded, making Lyme even more challenging to diagnose. Here's what you might experience at each stage:

At the early stage of Lyme Disease, symptoms are acute (or localized) because the bacteria hasn't yet spread throughout your body. This stage can begin days or weeks after the bite. Here's what you might notice during the early stage:

• A bullseye rash at the tick bite site
• A rash appearing on other parts of the body
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Flu-like symptoms

The next stage of Lyme Disease, though different for each person, happens weeks to months after the infected bite. The bacteria has started to spread further than in Stage 1. Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Extreme headaches
• Neck stiffness
• Lyme Arthritis (affecting larger joints)
• Muscle pain
• Heart palpitations or shortness of breath (known as Lyme carditis)
• Facial paralysis (known as Bell's palsy)
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Severe fatigue

Late Stage Lyme Disease occurs months to years after the initial bite. At this point, the bacteria has fully spread throughout the body. The symptoms now are similar to those in Stage 2 but may be more severe and longer lasting. Additional symptoms may also include:

• Neurologic or cognitive impairment (such as vertigo)
• Memory impairment
• Insomnia
• Brain fog
• Difficulty processing information (such as having conversations with others)

Being intentional about preventing ticks can significantly reduce your chances of contracting Lyme Disease. During tick season, check your body, clothing, and pets regularly for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas. Remember that ticks are most active in spring, summer, and fall. They like to crawl once they're on your body, so checking your entire body is crucial. Pay special attention to hidden places like underarms, behind ears, belly buttons, and throughout your hair. Your beloved pets can unknowingly bring ticks into your home, too.

If you regularly spend time outdoors, consider using a tick repellent. There are powerful repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that are very effective (just avoid spraying your face, and don't use repellents on children aged three or under). After outdoor activities, removing your clothing and running it in a hot dryer for 10 minutes is an excellent way to eliminate any possible ticks.

To prevent ticks from infesting your yard, you can hire professionals to apply repellent to your lawn, ensuring ticks stay far away from your home. If you're open to a more natural approach, chickens or guinea fowl can be wonderful additions to your yard and are known to be excellent at tick control.

For those who prefer natural tick repellents, consider scents like lemon eucalyptus, rosemary, cedar, lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, and geranium. These natural options can provide protection while aligning with your wellness values.

Lyme Disease treatment isn't always straightforward. Multiple approaches are often needed for an individual to achieve remission. Treatment can differ significantly from person to person—what works wonderfully for one Member might not work for another. It also depends on the stage of the disease, its severity, the age of the patient, and other individual factors. Most importantly, you should consult with a Lyme-literate physician who can help you with both diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Untreated Lyme Disease can spread to other body parts, potentially leading to nervous system complications. Here are treatment options you might explore with your healthcare provider:

Antibiotics – A 2-3 week antibiotic course is the most common treatment for early-stage Lyme Disease. Antibiotics are also used to treat later-stage Lyme but for longer courses. Intravenous antibiotics may be recommended for later-stage Lyme Disease.

Herbal Therapy – Many Members choose to incorporate herbs with antimicrobial properties into their wellness plan. This can be a safe and non-toxic approach to alleviating Lyme Disease symptoms. Herbs can be an excellent alternative or complement to long-term antibiotic use, especially for those seeking more natural healing pathways.

Lifestyle Support – Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly , and reducing stress have been known to keep Lyme Disease symptoms at bay by optimizing the immune system. These foundational wellness practices can make a significant difference in your healing journey.

Other Holistic Treatments – There are numerous treatment options available, each offering unique benefits. Because everyone responds differently to treatments, finding what works best for you is a personal journey best navigated with your healthcare provider. Some holistic treatment options include:

• Ozone Therapy
• Whole Body Hyperthermia
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation
• Peptides
• IV Therapy
• Detoxification protocols
• And many more integrative approaches

One of the reasons so many health-conscious individuals are choosing Knew Health is the reassurance and confidence it provides in healthcare choices when facing a diagnosis like Lyme Disease. As a Member of our Medical Cost Sharing Community, you have the freedom to seek treatment from conventional or naturopathic doctors, empowering you to make decisions that best support your wellness journey. This flexibility is especially valuable when navigating complex conditions like Lyme that often benefit from integrative approaches.

Knew Health also offers a straightforward and affordable blood work process through our partnership with quality laboratories. Members can get answers quickly, enhancing their confidence in health management decisions. Your medical needs related to Lyme Disease may be eligible for sharing through our Community, providing peace of mind without the constraints of traditional insurance models. With up to 3 IUAs (Initial Unshareable Amounts) available per year in amounts of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000, you have flexibility in managing your healthcare expenses.

If you ever have questions about how we can help you optimize your health and wellness through blood work, herbal supplements, diagnosing new illnesses, or preventive healthcare, we encourage you to speak with a member of our care team or email us with your questions. Remember, Knew Health is not health insurance—we're a Community of Members supporting each other's wellness journeys through Medical Cost Sharing. With Knew Health by your side, let Lyme disease be a hurdle, not a roadblock, on your path to living well.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

Sources

"About Lyme Disease." Global Lyme Alliance , www.globallymealliance.org/about-lyme/.

"Lyme Disease." Mayo Clinic , 10 Feb. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651.

"Lyme Disease Symptoms." Global Lyme Alliance , www.globallymealliance.org/about-lyme/diagnosis/symptoms/.

Rawls, Bill MD. "My Chronic Lyme Disease Journey." Rawls MD , 22 Jul. 2022, rawlsmd.com/health-articles/my-chronic-lyme-disease-journey.