LYME 101

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE ANYWAY?

It is nearly impossible to concisely explain this disease. There is not one thing straight forward about LD. It is an extremely complex disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat and to complicate matters further there exists a great medical divide and a political furor over it that prevents patients from accessing the life saving treatment they so desperately need.

This page only reflects a very brief overview with the very basic facts about LD. I urge you to take a few moments out of your day to watch the following the 2 videos about LD. 

LYME DISEASE 101 WITH DR H

W5: OUT OF THE WILD - Why are crippling LD cases in Canada being ignored 

These broadcasts are far more interesting and informative than anything contained on this page. They also feature the American doctor that is providing the primary care and treatment of Shannon, Taylor and Parker.




THE LYME DISEASE BASICS

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. LD is a spirochetal bacterial infection that results in multi-system infection.
LD is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus in utero and can be past through breast milk.

LD is complex bacteria that hides in the muscles, the brain, the central nervous system, the blood and all other organs and tissues. It makes people immune-compromised, can cause multi-organ failure and damages their detoxing pathways.

If LD isn't first treated when first infected, it burrows into the body and wreaks havoc. The results are devastating and debilitating. 


People die from chronic Lyme infections.


EARLY SYMPTOMS OF LD

Early symptoms of LD manifest as a variety of ailments including:

Headaches, fatigue, fever, joint and muscle pain, sinus infections and heart palpitations




 LATE STAGE SYMPTOMS OF LD


Late stage or chronic LD can be much more serious and can include:
Cardiac and central nervous system irregularities, meningitis, encephalitis, facial paralysis, neurological complications, arthritis, vision abnormalities and endocrine disorders



DIAGNOSIS OF LD

LD is known as the "Great Imitator" and can manifest in multiple areas of the body. As such, it can be difficult to diagnose. One of the problems with the proper diagnosis of LD in BC and Canada is the fact that doctors rely on blood test to diagnose the disease. Because there is no gold standard blood test for LD diagnosis is supposed to be based upon clinical presentation of symptoms. Unfortunately in Canada, doctors continue to rely on the results of these blood tests in order to make a diagnosis. Clinical studies have shown that the blood tests for LD catch less than 50% of 


TREATMENT OF LD


If caught early, LD can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Late stage disseminated or Chronic LD is much more difficult to treat and can sometimes prove resistant to antibiotics.



For more information about LD, Ticks, Prevention and Awareness please visit:


Canlyme.com (Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation Website)
Dr E Murakami Centre for Lyme
ILADS.org (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society)