The Basics of Lyme Disease:
We begin with a quick review of the history of Lyme disease, which was first identified in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in the 1970s. Researchers eventually identified the pathogen causing the symptoms as Borrelia burgdorferi and means of transmission as bites from a black-legged tick (aka deer tick). Even though it was originally thought to be limited to New England, epidemiologists now recognize that Lyme disease is widespread across the country. Half a million people will come down with Lyme disease this year. Many others will suffer symptoms from other pathogens transmitted through tick bites.
Persistent Symptoms of Lyme Disease:
For much too long, doctors thought that any symptoms persisting after a course of antibiotics were psychosomatic. Patients were understandably distressed by this dismissal of their suffering. Many people report fatigue, body aches and brain fog. Some have difficulties with balance or feeling weak or faint when they stand and have been diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Headaches, rashes, heart palpitations and joint pain may also be part of the picture. If you think some of these symptoms ring a bell, you are right. Many people with long COVID or even chronic fatigue suffer with similar problems.
Avoiding Lyme or Treating It Over the Long Term:
One of our expert guests, Dr. John Aucott, does research on Lyme disease and directs the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center. His study utilizing functional MRI was very revealing. When regular imaging studies are done on people with persistent Lyme disease symptoms, the results are not particularly striking. But functional MRI results, when people are asked to do cognitive tasks while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, show a different picture. These people’s brains are not functioning normally. No wonder they are upset about brain fog or struggling to concentrate!
There are several possible explanations for why Lyme disease symptoms may persist. The spirochete responsible for these symptoms does not require oxygen and is very good at “hiding out” within tissues. When reactivated, it could cause symptoms. On the other hand, the immune system may become hyper-activated and have a hard time calming down. That too could contribute to symptoms. Non-governmental organizations have funded the Study of Lyme Immunology and Clinical Events (SLICE). In this trial, researchers have identified some ri