With the solstice in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the approaching summer days filled with endless sun, backyard barbecues, and dirty bloodsuckers looking for a meal. But when the topic turns to ticks, and especially
Chronic Lyme Disease, the controversy brews like that perfect iced tea on the porch.
First, to understand what chronic Lyme disease is, you have to understand that
many doctors are still confounded by the idea . . . if they don’t outright oppose its existence. It’s misunderstood and has no established cure, but the severity of this condition can put sufferers through hell for years. According to lymeinfo.net, it is a systemic and debilitating illness that persists through antibiotics, and the symptoms – combined with the secondary issues caused – can leave any patient feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
The reason some doctors don’t buy into it is because CLD has a range of effects that can be attributed to almost anything. It can be mistaken for IBS, heart conditions, or even migraines and arthritis; which makes it tough to diagnose and even harder for insurance guidelines. Because the response can be different for each patient, some are prescribed antibiotics for years, some are given antibiotic combos, and others are given co-infection treatments . . . although many turn to natural remedies to ease the pain.
The problems don’t stop, either. According to Dr. Joseph Annibali, M.D. of Amen Clinics in Virginia, psychiatric symptoms can arise from the result of Lyme disease. Among those possible challenges are
ADHD-like cognitive issues, learning disabilities, language and speech abnormalities, OCD, depression, and others. And since the CDC points out that it is one of the fastest growing diseases in the nation, those psychiatric episodes could affect an extremely large number of people.
For now, there doesn’t appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel. A good portion of medical professionals don’t believe in the evidence that Dr. Annibali and others point to, making any conclusion a theory at best. Because the disease mimics psychological problems so easily and because finding a tick bite the size of a pinpoint is near impossible, Lyme disease will probably continue to go under-diagnosed throughout our country.
So it’s important that if you are exhibiting any symptoms of Lyme disease – especially if you live in an area where ticks run rampant like New England – you get it checked out with a doctor.
And don’t take no for an answer, because the only lime you ought to be experiencing this summer is the one hanging from your glass.
Cited Sources"CHRONIC LYME DISEASE."
Chronic Lyme Disease & Post Lyme Syndrome. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2012. <http://www.lymeinfo.net/chroniclymedisease.html>.
"Many Psychiatric Symptoms May Result From Lyme Disease."
Many Psychiatric Symptoms May Result From Lyme Disease, Says Joseph Annibali, M.D. From Amen Clinics. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2012. <http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9409837.htm>.
