Looking Beyond the Prescription for Lyme Disease Therapy: If you are experiencing unexplained or persistent symptoms, consult a knowledgeable physician about Lyme disease, says Dr. Paul Stallone.

To conventionally address Lyme disease, a prescription for antibiotics is generally the first line of therapy. This prescription will vary, depending on the patient and the symptoms they are presenting. A patient with acute symptoms or a diagnosis that is fairly recent will generally start with a month-long course of antibiotics. Someone with a longer history could be on a prescription or numerous prescriptions for many months and/or multiple rounds.

This approach to Lyme disease has many experts issuing warnings because there are many antibiotic-resistant bacteria created by the overuse of antibiotics that can cause deadly infections and other serious complications. While antibiotics have their uses in the medical community, they can still be harmful. Some studies found that a single course of antibiotics can cause permanent changes to our beneficial gut flora, leading to intestinal and immune system problems. Some beneficial bacteria species can take more than six months to recover and repopulate the intestines.

After the conventional treatment by aggressive use of antibiotics, Lyme disease is supposedly cured. However, the bacteria causing Lyme is very clever; it learns to change its shape and hide in different tissues throughout the body. This adaption requires ever-evolving modalities to combat the infection and fully eradicate the disease. Conventional treatments are straightforward and may not be able to stay ahead of this morphing bacteria, so when the infection is allowed to progress, significant damage may be caused. Almost no part of the body is safe, but common complaints include joint pain, adrenal fatigue, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive issues and mood instability. The endocrine and neurological systems tend to suffer heavily. Antibiotic use will help address the infection, but not the damage the bacteria causes to the body. Conventional treatments often rely on short-term methods to relieve the symptoms, but don’t provide lasting solutions or repair to the body.

Before treating Lyme disease, a proper diagnosis should be obtained. Lyme disease is a spiral-shaped bacteria that is transmitted by a specific tick bite. Unfortunately, the tick can also transmit other bacteria, causing co-infections that may require different or additional treatments for proper treatment. Specialty lab tests should be ordered to discover these infections and determine whether they are acute or chronic in nature. However, physicians that are not well-versed in Lyme disease may not know which tests to run, delaying a diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Alternative treatments based on individual needs and symptom manifestation are proving worthy therapies to address Lyme disease. A combination of IV therapies, injections, joint treatments, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, minerals and herbal medicines are all part of treating this complex illness. The proper treatment of Lyme disease should consist of addressing both the infection and repairing the damage done to the system by the bacteria.

Anyone experiencing unexplained or persistent symptoms should seek out a qualified naturopathic physician for an evaluation. By ignoring these warning signs, considerable damage may be caused that takes years to reverse.

Paul Stallone, NMD, founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center, located at 8144 E. Cactus Rd., Ste. 820, in Scottsdale. He combines natural/alternative/conventional treatments to best fit and benefit each individual patient’s needs. For more information, call 480-214-3922 or visit DrStallone.com.