Lyme And Mold Mind-Body Guide

A GLIMPSE INTO CHRONIC ILLNESS

Chronic infections can be a real struggle that some people work with to differing degrees for years and years. Perhaps one of the most important things to know in regards to the treatment of chronic infections is the multitude of imbalances that are often involved. Chronic infection treatments work best when we do not work to simply eradicate the infection, but instead focus on restoring inner balance to all of the major body systems. The most common categories that we see involved with chronic infections include other hidden pathogens, hormone imbalance, immune dysregulation, gastrointestinal issues, impaired liver detoxification, nervous system irregularities, nutrient deficiencies, and mental / emotional imbalances. It is truly when we take a big-picture approach to restoring balance to all of these systems, as well as treating the infection, that we get the best results. We see a big connection between toxins, infections, and gut dysfunction with most chronic illness. Generally these are some of the main root causes for dysregulating the body and mind.

THE ORIGINS OF LYME DISEASE AND MOLD ILLNESS

Lyme disease typically occurs through a tick bite, though likely can also be transmitted through placenta from mother to child and there may be other methods of transmission as well. Despite common thought, most people that have Lyme disease never found a tick on them. They also have never presented with the typical target lesion rash that is so common with Lyme disease. Mycotoxin illness differs in that it does not have as immediate of a vector. Research suggests that approximately 1 in 7 people worldwide show a positive test for Lyme Disease. In the experience of many Lyme literate doctors, conventional Lyme testing by most of the big laboratories misses a significant percentage of Lyme positive test results. Only specialty labs with alternative interpretation criteria tend to find the number of positives that many Lyme literate docs believe are more accurate. The research looking at Lyme testing also does not include co-infection testing for other tick-borne infections (some transmitted by other insects as well) such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, etc. When accounting for conventional testing not testing as many of the species and variants of Lyme bacteria, the interpretation criteria being overly strict, and considering co-infections, it may be a much more significant percentage of the population that are dealing with one or more systemic infections that are contributing to chronic illnesses.

Mold, endotoxin, and other biotoxin exposure and accumulation are also significant underappreciated issues that contributes to chronic inflammation and illness. Around 1 in 4 people have a genetic abnormality, which prevents mold and other toxins from being seen and removed appropriately by the body. For these people, even having a single exposure to mold can cause these toxins to circulate in the body causing many symptoms including fatigue, pain, and migraines / headaches.

The Snowball Effect of Chronic Illness

There are many common chronic infections that can cause the severity of symptoms someone is experiencing from Lyme disease or mold illness to spin out of control. The reverse situation is also a frequent occurrence - Lyme or mold illness can worsen imbalances that are already present. What came first (the chicken or the egg situation) is often difficult to parse out. Either way, Lyme, mold, and chronic infections produce molecules that are toxic to our body. These toxins are a significant player in the inflammatory process.

OBSTACLES TO TREATMENT

As mentioned previously, in order to treat Lyme and other chronic infections, we must address any imbalances that may be contributing to your immune system having difficulty addressing it. Many people are only focusing on eradication of the pathogen. We make much greater strides with treatment and prevention of recurrence when we also address the internal landscape of the body (as well as working on pathogen eradication).

Perspective and Presence

In working with all of our clients from a mind-body perspective, we have clearly seen that a patient’s perspective influences treatment outcomes dramatically. In chronic disease, identification with a disease process is common; we often hear our patients say things such as “my Lyme,” “my chronic fatigue syndrome,” or “my co-infections.” With this sort of language, a client identifies as their diagnosis. When instead, a client recognizes illness simply as something happening to them a type of disempowerment happens. This separation creates space for the strength, health, capability, and expansiveness that also exist in that individual.

In addition to creating separation from the disease process, being in the present moment is critical chronic infections. Being present and free from worry about the past or future is critical for maintaining balanced stress hormone levels. The perception of circumstances greatly impacts the production of cortisol and DHEA. Research clearly shows that when one’s perception is more positive and is less anxious and worried, we see these hormone levels normalize.

Sleep

Oftentimes for those with chronic infections, sleep can be disturbed. This occurs because MSH is an upper endocrine hormone that gets affected with toxin accumulation from infections. When MSH decreases, we see that many different hormones and neurotransmitters are affected. This can lead to some of the irritability, sleep disorders, and other hormonal imbalances seen with chronic infections. Since, sleep disorders are often detrimental to the deeper level healing that takes place in well rested individuals, they are often an integral part of a holistic treatment plan.

Genetics and Autoimmunity

Genetics can play a role in how badly chronic infections will affect someone. Individuals with certain genetic SNPs or mutations are likely to have a more difficult time overcoming Lyme, mold, and chronic illness. Commonly, autoimmunity and chronic infection are seen together.. This is because chronic infections contribute to the overall body burden that initiates the autoimmune process. Autoimmunity is a combination of three things. Firstly, there is a genetic predisposition. Secondly, there is an environmental trigger. Thirdly there is a leaky gut. Working on chronic infections, leaky gut, and any other environmental factors can reverse the autoimmune process in many clients and reduce the severity of Lyme disease and mold illness.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Infections in the gastrointestinal tract also contribute to Lyme disease and mold illness. Gastrointestinal infections will cause toxins to be released into the bloodstream that can worsen inflammation, headaches, and other Lyme symptoms. Around 70% of immune cells in the body are in the gut. Getting the gut to work well is extremely important for optimal immune functioning. Because Lyme and mold can compromise the immune system, getting an infection in the gut can be more likely. Part of effective treatment involves eradicating that which contributes to total body burden.

Co-Infections

With chronic infections, we often have a tendency to pick up many different infections and imbalances due to problems with the immune system. Oftentimes, a higher number of co-infections will cause more intense Lyme disease and mold illness. Co-infections can be viral or bacterial in nature and include mycoplasma, MARCoNS, Epstein-Barr, herpes, etc.

Hormones

Hormonal balance is another area that is compromised in the presence of Lyme, mold, and chronic illness. Lyme disease can cause secretion of biotoxins, which can bind to the pituitary gland and disrupt its function. Therefore many hormone imbalances such as thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones are common. Sex hormones can often become dysregulated with chronic stress and infection. Symptoms such as PMS and low libido are common in the chronic infection population. Additionally, many people with Lyme have adrenal dysregulation. These issues are worse for those with a genetic picture that makes the accumulation of biotoxins more likely.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DETOXIFICATION

Lyme, mold, and chronic infections produce molecules that are toxic to the body. These toxins are a significant player in the inflammatory process. Therefore, it is essential that the liver's detoxification process is working well whenever we are trying to get toxins out of the body.

Toxins will be stored in our fat cells. To get them out of the body, we must mobilize them. Since our blood is a watery substance, the liver must transform toxins into a molecule that is soluble in water if we are to rid them from the body. Phase I detoxification begins the process of converting the toxin to a water-soluble form, and phase II continues this process (most toxins will not leave the body before passing through both phases). It is important that both phase I and phase II of liver detoxification are working efficiently and effectively in order to rid toxins from the body.

NRF2 and MRP2

NRF2 and MRP2 are both affected in Lyme disease and mold illness. The NRF2 gene codes for a protein that helps with detoxification. Biotoxins from Lyme and mold can bind to this gene and Inactivate it. When this gene function is blocked, we often see an increase in an inflammatory molecule called NF-kB. One it is turned on, it opens the gates for all sorts of inflammation to reach our body. MRP2 is a protein that is responsible for the secretion of bile and toxins from the gallbladder. In Lyme disease, mold illness, and chronic infections it can get blocked and stop toxins from adequately leaving the body. In our treatment of Lyme and chronic infections, we commonly work to unblock this protein, allowing our detoxification to improve. This can greatly help to reduce the herxheimer reactions that are commonly talked about in the treatment of Lyme disease and mold illness.

TREATMENT OF LYME, MOLD, AND CHRONIC INFECTIONS

Lyme disease has three forms. This is part of what makes Lyme disease so virulent and able to resist the immune system. When under attack, Lyme can shape shift to a different form, which helps it evade our immune system. It is really important that we use protocols that address all three forms. This is done in conventional medication with three different antibiotics.

One of the most important things to know about the treatment of Lyme and chronic infections is that everyone is different. It is important that we stay open to al treatment possibilities. Very strong antibiotics are often prescribed for the treatment of Lyme and chronic infections.

If someone has acute Lyme (contracted less than 2 months ago), we see decent results by utilizing antibiotics. For chronic Lyme, we tend to use herbs and natural therapies more than antibiotics. We find that people respond very well to natural therapies, and they have less potential of long-term side effects. By working with antimicrobial herbals and immune system regulation, we find results far exceed the multiple long-term antibiotic treatments that are commonly prescribed.

Herxheimer Reactions

Herxheimer reactions are the name for negative reactions that the body may have while trying to eradicate a pathogen. Herxheimer reactions are very inflammatory and most people in the chronic infection scenario are already quite inflamed. With herxing, it is not a push through it and feel better faster scenario. Creating inflammation with a treatment protocol will not reduce treatment time and it will likely make clients feel worse. Clear client-practitioner communication is vital while treating Lyme disease, mold illness, and chronic infections. Each client will respond differently to treatment, many times the response will be more severe if genetic anomalies, autoimmunity, or the co-infections are present. Protocols can be modulated to each individual’s response to treatment.

Treatment Time

Most chronic infection treatments are one year long. For those who are really sick it may take two or very rarely even three years. On occasion, we do see people move through treatment in less than one year. However, 1-2 years is the most common and what you should likely anticipate. In addition, most people start to see their health shifting for the positive around the 3-6 month mark.

STAYING HOPEFUL IN THE FACE OF CHRONIC INFECTION

Lastly, stay hopeful. There are fantastic treatment options for Lyme disease, mold illness, and chronic infections. Keep working towards greater health and happiness. Never give up. And also accept what is as it as every step along the way. You don’t have to choose between acceptance and action towards making a change. You can hold both a peace for your present circumstances, however unpleasant, and work towards the life you would prefer. Contemplate this. If this guide has been useful to you, consider booking a discovery consultation in our clinic in order to find out what next steps would be for working together to further your journey towards greater health and happiness.

Working with the Medicine with Heart Clinic

If you want to see if we can help with your health situation you can call us at 720-722-1143 or book a free 15-minute discovery call with staff at our clinic here: https://medicinewithheart.com/discovery-consultation/

We work with people all over the world.

Medicine with Heart Functional Medicine Clinic

https://MedicineWithHeart.com (720) 722-1143

Wishing you our very best in your recovery, Dr. Miles and the Medicine With Heart Team