Lyme Disease

What is Lyme Disease?

Caused by the bacteria Borrelia spp., Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that is transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged deer tick (no bigger than a poppy seed) in heavily grassy and wooded areas. 

Lyme Coinfections: 

Same ticks frequently carry other bacteria that also cause chronic illness, babesia and bartonella. 

Why Choose OWM Integrative Wellness for Treatment?

OWM Integrative Wellness combines its extensive knowledge of integrative and naturopathic medicine, and experience with Lyme and CIRS illness, with a large set of sophisticated treatment options to guide our clients through this complicated illness to recovery. 

What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease and Lyme coinfections?

The earliest signs of a tick bite will be evident by a small, red bump, similar to a mosquito bite. Tick born disease can spread to other parts of your body over months and years after the infection, causing long term arthritis and nervous system issues. 

Symptoms can be separated into acute and chronic disease categories. 

Acute Symptoms can occur within a month of the bite:

1. Rash can spread to an area 12 inches across
2. Rash can be itchy and warm to the touch. (Note: Lyme disease can occur without this rash)
3. Fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, neck stiffness, headache and swollen lymph nodes
4. Rash in other areas of the body
5. Severe joint pain and swelling (especially in the knees) 

Chronic symptoms (Now called CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome))

1. Neurological problems (weeks, months or even years after infection)
1. Numbness or weakness in limbs
2. Impaired memory, brain fog
3. Bell’s palsy
2. Severe fatigue
3. Diffuse muscle and joint pain
4. Multiple chemical sensitivity 

The Experience: 

Testing: 

OWM combines basic laboratory work up with the latest free standing genetic and immunological tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

As a physician who has treated Lyme disease extensively, OWM Integrative Medicine naturopath, Dr. Kim Howes understands that a negative test does not exclude the possibility of having Lyme disease. A thorough evaluation and understanding of symptoms in conjunction with lab testing is essential to understand if the individual has been exposed to Borrelia. 

Treatment Lyme Disease with Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine

Dr. Kim Howes is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ilads.org), the leading international medical society devoted to treatment of Lyme and Associated tick-borne diseases with evidence-based medicine. Her extensive knowledge with tick-borne disease and naturopathic therapies allows her to expertly address the underlying immune, autoimmune, and detoxification dysfunction caused by Lyme disease. 

OWM Integrative Wellness’ approach combines integrative and naturopathic medicine to  support the body and stimulate it’s innate healing mechanisms. 

IV support

Infusions such as methylene blue, argentin, artemisinin, and high dose vitamin C  have been shown to reduce inflammation and autoimmunity caused by chronic tick-borne disease.

IV Ozone

IV Ozone modulates an overactive immune system, reduces inflammation, and stimulates mitochondrial energy production. It has antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Ultraviolet irradiation

Done concurrently with Ozone administration, it has additional antibacterial and immune modulating properties. 

Hyperthermia

Total body hyperthermia stimulates immune resilience, reduces autoimmunity and reverses chronic inflammatory states.

If you would like to learn more about how OWM’s approach and Dr. Howes’ naturopathic medicine skill set and experience with Lyme disease can help you overcome your illness, please call 716.453.2252 or request an appointment here.