Lyme disease is a complex and difficult condition to diagnose, but it can have long-term effects on the patient’s health if left untreated.
While complex and potentially debilitating, Lyme disease does not have to be a lifetime sentence. Forum Health Greenville is dedicated to helping you find relief with an integrative approach that combines advanced testing, supplements, and lifestyle changes tailored specifically for your condition.
Even if tests come back negative or it has been years since the initial infection occurred – we believe in listening first before jumping into treatment plans so there are no surprises down the road!
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease condition is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the U.S., with the CDC estimating 300,000 diagnoses every year.
It’s transmitted by black-legged deer ticks infected with Lyme bacteria. Strains active in the U.S. are typically from the bacterial species Borrelia burgdorferi.
After a bite from an infected tick, B. burgdorferi microbes can latch onto blood vessels and travel through your bloodstream. This allows their spread to key destinations like your heart, joints, and nervous system. Once hidden throughout your body, Lyme bacteria can suppress your immune system — and survive acute treatment.
Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms vary widely, it’s called “the great imitator,” said to mimic several chronic conditions such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression and anxiety
- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
The difficulty of diagnosing chronic Lyme disease is compounded by a single fundamental problem: Many doctors believe it does not even exist. It’s important to understand that much of the controversy is driven by semantics.
