Ticks cannot hear or see but the tips of their front legs are very sensitive to the warmth of a body and the carbon dioxide in the breath. In 1/10th of a second the tick can hitch a ride from a blade of grass and because they hate the sun they will crawl into places not easily noticed. As they bite, their saliva emits a chemical to reduce the pain felt in the host. Once they start to feed, contents within the stomach of the tick are injected into the human blood stream. Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and associated co-infections are now able to invade. If not caught early enough they can have a potential to reside in the body for years causing multiple health complaints which are typically misdiagnosed as several different disease states.
The deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) lives from two to four years and only needs to feed once per year. There are three stages in a tick’s life beginning with the larvae. This is the only true disease-free state, where they primarily feed from mice. Next is the Nymph, reportedly responsible for a majority of tick borne infections due to their small size making them virtually undetectable. Finally, the adult tick is easier to spot due to its larger size, however still very small.
The bacteria’s goal is to penetrate your tissues in places hard to find, thus making it difficult to treat once it gets a hold. Lyme disease is a complicated constellation of symptoms which does not get the respect it deserves. It is under-reported, minimally researched, politically charged and an incredibly misunderstood condition. Patients with this disease have disrupted sleep, constant pain, cognitive impairments, debilitating neurological symptoms, mental emotional strain, digestive disturbances, repeated infections due to immune compromise and the list goes on. These symptoms come and go even after months to years of treatment. Most suffering could be avoided by treating immediately upon the discovery of an implanted tick.
What if you get a tick bite?
If you are lucky enough to see a tick, the following steps are important in reducing the chances of long term infection. Many Lyme disease patients have no recollection of a tick bite. Instead of wondering if you have been infected, get a definitive answer by having the tick tested. If a tick is attached to you, immediately have a doctor remove it or take a pair of tweezers as close to the skin as possible to completely remove the entire insect. Take whatever was removed, alive or dead; place it with a moistened cotton ball in sealed container such as a Ziploc bag.
You can send this in yourself for a minimal fee to Igenex Labs (www.igenex.com). Then contact your medical doctor (MD), or osteopathic doctor (DO) to be treated with a course of antibiotics as soon as possible. Be aware that many conventional practitioners will not be in favor of such an immediate response without waiting for a grace period of up to two weeks. However, these bacteria are stealthy and the effects of short term antibiotics given within 24-48 hours of a bite are minor compared to risking long-term suffering and multiple medications in the future.
Naturopathic Doctors can prescribe a wide scope of antibiotics for the treatment of acute and chronic Lyme disease as well as for the treatment of other tick borne infections in both adults and children. Naturopaths are trained as primary care providers who specialize in botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutrient therapy, intravenous therapy, and are skilled at balancing conventional medications with natural treatments to enhance the immune system while minimizing potential side effects due to the medication. There are many factors which need to be addressed with every condition. We look at nutrition status, lifestyle factors, stress level, the ability to eliminate properly, and other infections compromising the immune system. We also can support recovery when entering remission and help prevent relapse.
Lyme disease is an epidemic in the Northeast, however it is also a national as well global problem with many cases being found throughout Europe. People are suffering from this condition all around us. If you know someone dealing with this please give them a hug and acknowledge their struggle. With proper treatment the effects of this devastating disease can be minimized or eliminated.
Julia Greenspan is a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and founder of Greenhouse Naturopathic Medicine, 18 Ash Street, Hollis, New Hampshire. Her focus is in family medicine, women’s health, tick borne infections, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. She currently serves on the New Hampshire Board of Naturopathic Examiners. For more information please contact (603) 465-2895 or greenhousemedicine.com.
