By Dr. David Pollack

So many people suffer—knowingly and unknowingly—with chronic Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the name of the syndrome of complex symptoms resulting from infection of Borrelia species bacteria from the bite of a deer tick. The symptoms are very widespread and potentially complex. It is often called the “Great Mimicker” because it mimics so many other diseases and symptoms. A new case of Lyme disease can often be treated effectively with doxycycline. If treated within the first six weeks after the tick bite, the infection and subsequent symptoms can be eradicated. However, if the treatment was delayed—as is often the case—the situation ends quite differently. These are the people who find my office, as the long-term treatment prescribed by their conventional medical doctor—which often includes months of antibiotics and anti-malaria medications—has proven ineffective. 

One of many complications is that Lyme disease often comes with “friends” or co-infections that create even more complex symptoms with more difficult resolutions including other tick-borne diseases, babesiosis, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, cytomegalovirus, and many others. Some of my patients—who have often dealt with symptoms for years, even decades—are so in tune with their bodies, they can differentiate between the symptoms of their myriad co-infections. For those dealing with this chronic health issue, there certainly are ebbs and flows. Often, they’ve been told by conventional medical doctors that “it’s all in their heads” and are offered prescription mood stabilizers as a result. What is actually in their heads is that they are often so worn out, desperate for help, and frustrated that they feel completely out of options. And out of hope.

First off, there is hope as I’ve witnessed numerous patients with chronic Lyme disease and similar issues recover their health and well-being. In our clinic, we address chronic Lyme disease and similar chronic infections in different ways.  While many doctors throw every antibiotic they can at the situation—which may cause a short remission—many patients often report a strong resurgence of symptoms after the antibiotics wear off. 

In our office, we first assess the totality of what is going on in someone’s body and health. We give particular attention to digestion, hormones and inflammation control. These functions are often compromised in chronic Lyme disease. Counter-intuitively, we must improve these first as the body needs to heal to overcome the infection. 

Our digestive tract is home to most of the body’s immune tissues. It is paramount that the function of the digestive tract be optimized in preparation for dealing with chronic infections before using anti-microbial supplements. 

Hormone balance is also critical to a well-functioning immune system. Of particular concern is the function of cortisol, our body’s main natural steroid. It is the natural version of prednisone, the cure-all of the medical industry. Cortisol is part of a large system of steroid hormones all made by the adrenal glands. These small glands on top of the kidneys produce all the steroid hormones of the body and their precursors. This includes testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and dozens of others. While certainly those sex hormones are made in the gonads it is only of precursors made by the adrenal glands. These adrenals make up 15 to 20 percent of the body’s total testosterone and estrogen. 

Why are we discussing these sex hormones? As cortisol levels become out of balance, the body’s necessity for these “extra” hormones goes down and often crashes. People with chronic infections generally have poor libido and low fertility as a result. Whatever the exact situation, improving hormone balance can be critical in allowing for an improved healing process. 

Inflammation is the third major component we address. If the body is overwhelmed by chronic inflammation, it is nearly impossible to overcome a chronic infection. Ultimately it is our body’s immune system, and not any antibiotic or even natural anti-microbial, that must kill and suppress a chronic infection. By addressing these three important categories as well as many others, we can often create the possibility to get your life back and heal.