Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Combatting Chronic Inflammation

Lyme disease is a complex, chronic condition when not addressed and treated early. Most cases of Lyme disease are caused by a corkscrew-shaped spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria has a unique ability to evade the immune system. That is why, if not treated with antibiotics immediately, the Borrelia burgdorferi can cause systemic harm to the body.

How Does Lyme Disease Affect The Body?

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Lyme disease can affect any organ or system within the body, including the brain, nervous system, muscles, joints, and heart. When a tick punctures the skin, its saliva is able to protect the spirochete from the immune system, meaning the body fails to produce antibodies to destroy.  

Not only can the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete essentially cloak itself when it enters the body, but it also has a unique inner structure, called a flagellum, that enables the organism to pass through thick mucus and tissues that would typically stop and eliminate other invaders. However, this flagellum is what finally triggers the body’s immune system. But while the body can now see the bacterium, it changes form, leading the body to launch an inflammatory attack on itself, harming the body’s tissues rather than the Lyme bacteria.

This results in chronic, systemic inflammation in Lyme patients, which can compromise the health of the brain, heart, joints, gut, and virtually every vital organ system. This is what results in the wide range of symptoms experienced by Lyme patients. Lyme disease is often called the “Great Imitator” because it mirrors nearly every chronic illness. Symptoms include:

• Leaky gut syndrome
• Digestive issues
• Skin problems
• Brain fog
• Memory loss
• Insomnia & sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Chronic joint pain
• Weight gain and/or loss
• Mood disturbances (anxiety, depression, & others)

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The Problem With Standardized Lyme Disease Testing

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Standard Lyme disease testing misses approximately 90% of chronic Lyme cases. Standard blood tests for Lyme disease are often inaccurate, which is in part because the guidelines around a “positive test” are hard to solidify. The CDC identifies a positive Lyme diagnosis as at least five out of ten total markers from a standard blood test. This means that someone could be exhibiting the three most common markers and still not be diagnosed with Lyme.

Receive the in-depth testing you deserve with the Next Health Tickborne Diseases Panel. This Test is designed to detect Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through both antigen testing and PCR recognition of microorganisms at a highly accurate level for definitive data in making diagnostic decisions.

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Combatting Inflammation With Lyme

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As touched on above, after receiving an accurate diagnosis, it is critical to address the chronic inflammation that is linked to a wide range of symptoms. Below are some of the most effective ways Lyme patients can combat inflammation and improve their overall quality of life:

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Start With Your Diet

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The gut is linked to virtually every aspect of wellness and is easily affected by inflammation. When the gut is inflamed, the junctions of the intestinal lining become loose and toxins, food particles, and bacteria can leak into the bloodstream. This worsens the body’s inflammatory response, causing further issues as the immune system is already incredibly strained. This condition is called leaky gut syndrome and is very common amongst Lyme patients.

Therefore, it is best to avoid inflammatory foods such as processed foods, refined sugar, trans fats, gluten, and dairy. Experts also strongly recommend receiving food sensitivity testing in order to find out which foods may trigger your unique immune response.

The Next Health Food Sensitivity Test checks your reaction to 96 commonly reactive foods, providing insight into which foods might be contributing to inflammation and suboptimal health and well-being. Food sensitivities can cause a wide range of symptoms, similar to those exhibited with Lyme, such as skin issues, headaches, indigestion, bloating, and even chronic pain.

By testing your unique sensitivity to foods, you are empowered to start healing your gut and resolving Lyme disease symptoms.

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Peptide Therapy

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Thymosin Alpha 1 or “The Immunity Peptide” is a safe and effective way to enhance your immune health and minimize inflammation. This peptide is naturally made in the thymus, the center of immune system regulation. Thymosin Alpha 1 is a critical protein messenger that is involved in the proliferation of your T cells (which combat pathogens and viruses). In fact, this peptide is often prescribed to prevent viral, bacterial, and even fungal infections.

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In addition to combatting inflammation and infections, Thymosin Alpha 1 has powerful effects on cell communication and has also been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-aging properties.

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Although many think peptides are a new advancement in the medical community, peptides are actually naturally occurring in the body. Peptides are chains of amino acids that act as precise messenger signals in the body that improve cellular function. There are over 7,000 known naturally occurring peptides that are produced in the human body that aid in cellular function, and they can now be produced at an advanced compounding pharmacy.

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Thymosin Alpha 1, along with other Next Health peptides, can ship straight to your door. Peptide therapy does not require the assistance of a medical professional. Our easy-to-use method can be done from the comfort of your home.

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Cryotherapy

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Cryotherapy is the fastest way to reduce inflammation. In just three minutes, the -150 degree temperatures trigger blood vessels to constrict and decrease circulation, limiting the ability of immune cells to inflame tissue throughout the body. This is why cold therapy and ice baths are known to be great for post-workout recovery.

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Plus, after you may experience a variety of benefits including:

• Supported immunity
• Promoted collagen production
• Enhanced energy
• Improved mental clarity
• Stress relief
• And so much more

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Ozone Therapy

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Ozone Therapy is a next-level option for those looking to support their immune function and detoxification pathways.

What is ozone? Ozone is the “supercharged” form of oxygen that consists of three oxygen atoms bound together. It is the addition of this third atom that gives ozone its incredible health benefits.

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Because all pathogens die in the presence of oxygen, it has been utilized in the medical community for hundreds of years (it was originally used to disinfect medical instruments).

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Ozone Therapy is considered a whole-body healing treatment that encourages bio-rejuvenation, which can create feelings of revitalization. Research shows bio-rejuvenation has the potential to stimulate the immune system, combat inflammation, support detoxification, promote circulation, and even reverse signs of aging.

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The benefits listed above can be incredibly valuable when combatting Lyme as the immune system is incredibly strained with this condition (due to the inflammation) and the detox pathways are overworked.

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Whole-body healing is key when combatting chronic inflammation and dealing with a constant assault of bacteria or toxins as is the case with Lyme disease.

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At Next Health, we offer 10 Pass Ozone Therapy. 10 Pass refers to the vacuum-sealed technique that safely delivers ozone into the body, which is repeated approximately ten times per session (hence, 10 Pass Ozone Therapy).

Ozone Therapy sessions are performed from the comfort of a private room at one of our locations and are administered by one of our board-certified nurse practitioners. Each session takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

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Starting Your Journey As A Lyme Warrior

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Lyme disease can be an incredibly debiliating condition that is difficult to receive effective treatment for. Consider starting your journey of healing from Lyme with the Next Health comprehensive Tick-Borne Disease Panel.

For any of those who have already received an accurate diagnosis and are looking for powerful anti-inflammatory treatments such Ozone Therapy, call or text us today at: (310) 295-2075