By Dr. Wally Taylor
Everything from the name to the treatment of this disorder that seems to be affecting more and more Texans seemingly creates disagreement.
In an effort to be able to better evaluate and help the ever-increasing number of people who seek out my integrative medicine services for persistent chronic disease that is not responding adequately to conventional medical treatment, I will be traveling to Ft Lauderdale, Florida, to attend the International Meeting of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) later this month.
“One area that all groups seem to agree upon is the fact that Persistent Lyme 
Borreliosis can mimic a number of other better known diseases including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease. It has been called “the Great Masquerader”.
Controversy continues in regard to the exact diagnostic criteria and treatment. The ILADS providers contend that persistent Lyme is greatly underdiagnosed (estimates of as many as 90% of cases going undetected) and undertreated. This continues to cause suffering and ultimately increasing disability. Experts at the meeting will be presenting the latest information on new and improved diagnostic tests and treatments to help control this mysterious yet debilitating disease.
Recent studies in Texas and in many other parts of the USA have demonstrated that the ticks that carry the Borrelia germ that causes Lyme and a number of other associated germs like Babesia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia are known to be fairly common in wooded areas.
It is broadly appreciated among health care providers that the earlier the infection by tick-borne germs like the Lyme-causing Borrelia are treated, the greater the likelihood of complete eradication of the disease and the less the chance of persistent disease and disability. The longer the disease persists, the harder it is to get rid of.
Treatment depends not only on antibiotics to kill the disease-causing germs, but also treatment to reduce inflammation, remove bacterial toxins, and improve the function of the immune system which is disrupted by the presence of the germs.
Suspect infection any time a tick is found attached to the body. Even a fairly short period of tick attachment can lead to infection by the germs involved. The classic rash associated with early infection called a “Bull’s Eye Rash or Erythema Migrans” is only appreciated in less than half of confirmed cases. If you are concerned about Lyme disease or persistent undiagnosed disease I would like to help you get to the root cause of your disease process. Contact us for an appointment.
