Tag: Lyme disease
In the 18 years that Dr. Marra has been practicing tick-borne disease illness, there has been great controversy over the use of antibiotics in the treatment of these stealth and persistent infections. She doesn’t think the answer to this controversy is any easier today than it was 20 or 40 years ago. However, over the … Read More “The Antibiotic Controversy” »
Inflammation – Lyme Disease Dr. Susan Marra talks the importance of understanding inflammation and Lyme Disease.
Dyslipidemia and Lyme Disease Dyslipidemia is abnormal lipid metabolism. Patients who have had or have Lyme Disease often have significant abnormalities in their lipid metabolism. This results from chronic inflammation and prolonged activation of the proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, and LDL are commonly … Read More “Dyslipidemia” »
Ketotifen Use in Tick-Borne Illness Ketotifen is a second-generation noncompetitive H1 antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer with probable anti-inflammatory properties. It may also have anti-cholinergic and anti-serotonergic properties that contribute to its overall beneficial effect in certain patients. It is an oral compounded capsule taken with meals and may be useful in the treatment of … Read More “Ketotifen” »
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in Tick-borne Illness Naltrexone is an old drug originally used to help patients wean off of alcohol and heroin and other opiate medications. However, low dose Naltrexone (LDN – 3-4.5mg) has been found to be very helpful to some patients with chronic pain and low immune function, in particular chronic Lyme … Read More “Low Dose Naltrexone” »
Lyme Disease and Osteoporosis Patients who have had or currently have Lyme Disease often experience an increased likelihood of developing osteopenia and/or osteoporosis (conditions of progressive bone loss, particularly in women). This may, at least in part, be due to the fact that calcium is sequestered from the bone by pathogenic organisms in order to … Read More “Osteoporosis” »
Oxalate Intolerance can mimic Lyme Disease symptoms. Oxalates are molecules found in foods which can accumulate in the body. Vitamin B-6 deficiency, magnesium and thiamine deficiency can also increase oxalate synthesis. Additionally, there appears to be a genetic predisposition for sequestering oxalates as well. Symptoms of oxalate intolerance include: Joint inflammation Muscle stiffness Kidney stones … Read More “Oxalate Intolerance” »
Lyme Disease: A Hidden Epidemic Dr. Susan Marra
Gestational Lyme Disease – Exposure to Lyme Disease and Co-infections Unfortunately, there is great debate within the medical community regarding the existence and prevalence of the transmission of Lyme disease, co-infections, and parasites to the unborn fetus. The medical community already recognizes that certain infections cross the placental barrier and they are known as “TORCH … Read More “Gestational Lyme Disease” »