Seattle Bartonella, Lyme Disease & Environmental Illness Doctor
Topical pain relievers can help reduce the pain associated with inflammation. Here are a few options that Dr. Marra frequently recommends to patients. Arnica Montana 6x Bengay Pain Relieving Cream -Especially for MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) Cobroxin Uncle Herb’s Icy Pot Medicated Salve
Exercise and Chronic Illness can seem overwhelming to many at first. Frequently in chronic illness, patients are plagued by exercise intolerance and chronic fatigue, however, exercise is essential to healing. Exercise can help you manage symptoms, decrease discomfort, improve daily function, and enhance overall health. It is important to move and perform the light exercise … Read More “Exercise and Chronic Illness” »
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a late 20th-century buzzword used to convey a constellation of symptoms that patients experience, but it is a not formal diagnosis. Extreme exhaustion, poor stamina coupled with difficulty concentrating, and poor memory render patients nearly completely disabled. Additionally, CFS may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, joint and muscle aches, unrefreshing … Read More “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” »
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that may have genetic (APOE4) and environmental influences on its manifestation in 60-70% of cases. The loss of cognitive function generally starts slowly and progressively gets worse with time and age. The disease is characterized by the development of amyloid plaques in the brain, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degradation … Read More “Alzheimer’s Disease” »
Morgellons disease is an uncommon, poorly understood manifestation of Lime D2 and Bartonella that is characterized by small fibers and particles emerging from the skin that are often colored (i.e. red, green, blue.) Patients are traditionally diagnosed with delusion parasitosis, however when they find a Lyme literate doctor who does the appropriate lab testing, frequently … Read More “What is Morgellons Disease?” »
The brain is encased in a membrane called, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which helps keep certain molecules and toxins from affecting the brain. However, chronic infection and inflammation increase the semi-permeable membranes flood gates, so that unwanted molecules can enter the brain leading to a leaky brain. A leaky brain blood-brain barrier allows toxins such … Read More “What is Leaky Brain?” »
Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is caused by the spirochete, Borrelia recurrentis, and is largely transmitted from person to person by lice. This bacteria is unique because it can alter the proteins expressed on its surface which causes the “relapsing” characteristic symptoms. It initially infects the mucus membranes and then moves into the bloodstream. Symptoms can … Read More “What is Louse-Borne Relapsing Fever” »
There are many neurological manifestations of tick-borne illness. Spirochetes, the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, have a particular affinity for the brain because they feed on the fats located in the myelin sheath, as well as sugars. These substances are found in abundance in brain tissue, and therefore, it should come as no surprise, that … Read More “Neurological Manifestations of Tick-Borne Illness” »
Q Fever is a vector-borne disease caused by the bacteria, Coxiella burnetii, and is found in cattle, sheep, goats, cats, and dogs. Humans can get infected by inhaling endospores, ingesting the milk, urine, or feces of an infected animal, or from a tick bite. Patients with Q Fever generally develop fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle … Read More “What is Q Fever?” »
In the 22 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” »
