Category: Lyme Disease

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Environmental Medicine, Infections, Lyme Disease

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a spirochetal infection cause by Borrelia hermseii, Borrelia miyamotoi, and several other less well known bacterial species. Tick-borne relapsing fever is found in Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Canada, and the western United States. Rodents are the primary reservoir and ticks are the likely vector for this disease. Tick-borne Relapsing … Read More “Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever” »

Recommendations for Infected Patients

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Environmental Medicine, Lyme Disease

Recommendations for Infected Patients with Tick-Borne Disease DO NOT donate blood.  You have been infected with a bacteria that can live in the blood, and therefore can be passed onto someone else. Carry a card in your wallet indicating that you have Lyme Disease (and co-infections if applicable) and the drugs that you are taking.  … Read More “Recommendations for Infected Patients” »

Spirochetes

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Environmental Medicine, Infections, Lyme Disease

Spirochetes are unique bacteria that include Borrelia species.  They are likely to be some of the first bacteria inhabiting the earth roughly 4 billion years ago. Spirochetes may have evolved from the sea and adapted to a terrestrial environment to capitalize on warm blooded mammals.  There are probably more than 300 species and at least 101 of … Read More “Spirochetes” »

Herxheimer Reaction (HERX)

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Environmental Medicine, Lyme Disease, Treatments

The Herxheimer reaction (HERX) was originally noted in 1895 by Dr. Jarisch who worked with Syphyllis (a spirochete) patients.  In the 21st century, we observe Herxheimer reactions in tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease, also caused by a spirochete.  A Herxheimer reaction (Herx) typically occurs hours to days after antimicrobial administration and is thought to … Read More “Herxheimer Reaction (HERX)” »

Autoimmune Disease

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Lyme Disease

Frequently we see autoimmune diseases associated with Lyme Disease and coinfections such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Scleroderma, Graves Disease, Celiac Disease, etc. Essentially any tissue in the body can fall prey to autoimmune disease if the autoimmunity is driven by infection. When pathogenic infections invade tissues, the bacteria produce LPS (lipopolysaccharides) which are … Read More “Autoimmune Disease” »

Dr. Marra’s Philosophy

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Environmental Medicine, Hormones, Infections, Lyme Disease, Mold Exposure, Nutrition, Treatments

Dr. Marra’s Philosophy In the last two decades, the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and other areas of the world, have experienced a rapid emergence of zoonotic diseases at an alarming rate. Multiple factors including global climate change, escalating deer and grey squirrel populations, human urban development encroachment on feral animal habitats, pollution, excessive EMF … Read More “Dr. Marra’s Philosophy” »

Systemic Inflammation and Cytokines

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Environmental Medicine, Lyme Disease

Historically, the defining features of inflammation include rubor (redness), calor (warmth), tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain), and there is a distinction between acute and chronic inflammation.  Acute inflammation compromises the early response to an injurious agent and is a defensive response that fosters repair of the damaged site.  Chronic inflammation results from stimuli that are persistently … Read More “Systemic Inflammation and Cytokines” »

Resources for Lyme Disease and Chronic Illness

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Lyme Disease

Helpful resources for Lyme disease and Chronic Illness When dealing with chronic illness, the more information, and support that you have the better. Below, you will find some resources for Lyme disease, chronic illness, and more that may be helpful and provide a lot of additional information. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Bastyr University Bryan Rosner’s Website … Read More “Resources for Lyme Disease and Chronic Illness” »

Menopause & Lyme Disease

Posted on By Susan L. Marra
Lyme Disease

Women who have had or have Lyme Disease often have a difficult time during Menopause.  They may experience a “flare” in their symptoms due to the declining levels of estradiol and progesterone primarily, but also thyroid hormone, cortisol, DHEA, pregnenolone, testosterone, and growth hormone.  Weight gain around the midsection is common for women in perimenopause … Read More “Menopause & Lyme Disease” »