Comprehensive Care for Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illnesses

Comprehensive care for Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses includes accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and ongoing symptom management for both short-term and chronic recovery. Meet Dr. Nicole Anderson MD, FAAP, IFMCP, LLMD, CPAAM, and Dr. Kelly Blundy DC, IFMCP, DNM, at The Functional Medicine Center of New Jersey to learn more about Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses. Contact us for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 70 East Allendale Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458.

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses represent a complex and often elusive group of infections that can significantly impact your health and quality of life. In the United States, Lyme disease is a major concern, with over 476,000 new cases reported annually according to the CDC. It is reported that 14.5% of the world’s population has now been exposed to Lyme disease- one in every seven people. However, the true incidence may be even higher, as many cases remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to the limitations of standard diagnostic tests.

Lyme Disease is often referred as “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms can overlap with many other illnesses and conditions. Patients with Lyme disease are often misdiagnosed as having autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, dementia and psychiatric conditions amongst others.

Understanding Lyme Disease and Its Co-Infections

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. While a characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash can be a sign, it is not present in all cases. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches, which can easily be mistaken for other illnesses.

Progressive Symptoms: As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe and diverse, potentially affecting multiple systems in the body. Patients may experience joint pain, neurological issues such as memory problems or peripheral neuropathy, and more severe manifestations like Lyme carditis (heart inflammation) or Lyme arthritis (severe joint inflammation). These symptoms can appear weeks to months after the initial tick bite, and the absence of a rash does not rule out Lyme disease.

Late-Stage Lyme Disease: If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to chronic symptoms that persist for months or even years. These symptoms can include debilitating fatigue, chronic pain, cognitive difficulties, and ongoing joint issues. The hallmark symptom of Lyme disease is migratory pain which can present as migratory joint pain, muscle pain or nerve pain (neuropathy). The other common presenting characteristic of Lyme disease is that the symptoms come and go.

Co-Infections Complicating Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is often accompanied by other tick-borne infections, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment. There are about 2 dozen tick borne diseases that we know about to date. Some problematic ones are:

• Babesiosis: Caused by a protozoan parasite, babesiosis may initially be asymptomatic or present with flu-like symptoms. Other more defining symptoms of Babesia include day or night sweats, shortness of breath or “air hunger”, frontal pressure/headaches, brain fog or cognitive issues, poor focus, and depression, anxiety or mood swings.
• Bartonella: Bartonella species can cause a range of symptoms, from chronic fatigue, headaches, sensitization to light, touch, sound, smells, foods, chemicals, and EMFs, emotional instability, panic attacks and anxiety, numbness or tingling, heartburn, reflux, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain, pelvic or bladder pain and joint and muscle pain. Bartonella also presents with a distinct rash that resembles stretch marks which can present on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, breasts, and/or upper shoulders.
• Tick Borne Relapsing Fever: TBRF is caused by another Borrelia species- Borrelia hermsii. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and a rash. As denoted by its name, this infection is characterized by relapsing fevers which may come and go, lasting 12 hours to 2 weeks.
• Anaplasmosis: This bacterial infection presents with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle pain. It can escalate to more severe complications, particularly in those with weakened immune systems.
• Ehrlichiosis: Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria, ehrlichiosis often manifests with fever, headache, and rash. It can lead to severe outcomes if not treated early, affecting multiple organ systems.
• Alpha Gal Syndrome: Alpha Gal Syndrome is thought to be caused when an individual is bitten by the Lone Star Tick. When bitten, the tick releases a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into a person’s bloodstream. In some individuals, this triggers an immune reaction causing mild to severe allergic reactions to red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb. It can also cause allergic reactions to other foods that come from animals such as dairy products and gelatin.

The Challenge of Diagnosis and Treatment

Standard diagnostic tests for Lyme disease and its co-infections often fall short. Due to the diverse and overlapping symptoms of Lyme disease and its co-infections, traditional testing methods may not detect all instances of these infections. Consequently, patients may receive a multitude of erroneous diagnoses based on what may appear to be unrelated symptoms resulting in a delay in treating the tick-borne infections.

Our Comprehensive Approach

At our center, we address these challenges with a holistic and thorough approach. We offer:

• Diagnostic Testing: Diagnosing based on symptoms, physical findings, and possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Using the validated Horowitz-MSIDS Questionnaire along with specialized laboratory testing to screen and further support an accurate diagnosis. ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your health condition.
• Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailoring treatment strategies to your unique symptoms and health needs, combining conventional medical treatments with holistic therapies for optimal results.
• Holistic Therapies: Integrating nutritional support, stress management, and lifestyle modifications to support your body’s natural healing processes and improve overall well-being.
• Root Cause Focus: Aiming to identify and address the underlying causes of your symptoms, rather than just managing them, to provide lasting relief and improved quality of life.

We are dedicated to offering compassionate, expert care that goes beyond conventional methods. Our approach ensures that you receive not just symptom management, but comprehensive support tailored to your individual needs. We’re here to help you navigate your journey to health with confidence and hope.

If you’re struggling with Lyme disease or tick-borne illnesses and need a thorough, empathetic approach to your care, visit us today. Let us help you achieve relief and renewed vitality. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 70 East Allendale Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458. We serve patients from Saddle River NJ, Wyckoff NJ, Ramsey NJ, Montvale NJ, Paramus NJ, Franklin Lakes NJ, Waldwick NJ, and surrounding areas.