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Lyme Disease

Private Medical Practices & Sports Medicine located in Jack London Square, Oakland, CA

Lyme Disease services offered in Jack London Square, Oakland, CA

Premier Lyme Disease Care Center 

We specialize in understanding Lyme Disease and its varied presentations within our community.

Lyme disease, an ailment resulting from the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is a predominant vector-linked illness across the U.S.

Deciphering Lyme Disease Lyme disease, an ailment resulting from the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is a predominant vector-linked illness across the U.S.

Lyme Disease Transmission The primary culprits behind Lyme disease are ticks, specifically the infected black-legged ones. Yet, other insects might be potential carriers as well.

Its occurrences are most frequent from the onset of spring to the culmination of fall, with a pronounced rise during summer. In regions with mild climates, like California, the diagnosis of Lyme disease is consistent throughout the year.

The Scope of Lyme Disease Every year, the CDC identifies over 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease. According to the BMJ Global Health, approximately 14.5% of the world's population has encountered Lyme disease at least once. Most affected are children aged between 5-14 and adults between 45-65, with a marginal inclination towards males in the initial stages of infection.

Understanding Co-Infections in Lyme Disease Ticks, being carriers of multiple pathogens, can lead to co-infections alongside Borrelia burgdorferi.

Prominent among these co-infections are Babesia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma, to name a few.

Spotting Lyme Disease A significant fraction of those with Lyme disease can't pinpoint a tick bite. The small size of some ticks, like the nymph variety, makes them easy to miss.

Additionally, patients may present infections not directly associated with tick bites, including:

  • Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6)
  • Mycoplasma
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Parvovirus
  • Candida

It's pivotal to approach diagnosis holistically, considering a patient's medical history, manifesting symptoms, and possible tick encounters.

Lyme Disease: Common Manifestations

Lyme disease can present a myriad of symptoms:

  • Erythema Migrans rash (EM)
  • Profound tiredness
  • Symptoms resembling flu, elevated body temperatures, migraine, muscle, and joint discomfort
  • Neck rigidity
  • Altered sensations
  • Enlarged lymph glands
  • Potent migraines
  • Weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, sometimes mistaken for Bell’s palsy
  • Joint discomfort and swelling
  • Neurological symptoms like nerve discomfort, numbness, and thermal sensitivities
  • Cognitive lapses and memory glitches
  • Unexplained pain affecting sleep
  • Heart irregularities, chest discomfort, and breathing issues
  • Episodes of dizziness or fainting
  • Gastrointestinal challenges
  • Mental wellness concerns

Lyme Disease Diagnostic Methods

Many of the commonly utilized tests for diagnosing Lyme disease have proven to be inconsistent and lack precision.

In 1994, the CDC endorsed these antibody assessments for monitoring, employing IgM and IgG Western blots.

Subsequent studies have highlighted that ELISA (often referred to as Lyme titer) tests have a questionable accuracy rate, ranging between 33% to 49%.

Instances where ELISA tests yielded negative results, even after multiple antibody measurements, have been recorded, despite the evident presence of the disease.

Due to the unreliable accuracy of these tests, countless patients have either received incorrect diagnoses or none at all.

In our practice, we employ a more advanced and precise diagnostic method for Lyme disease that addresses the deficiencies of traditional tests.

Traditional Treatment for Lyme Disease

Prompt antibiotic intervention can effectively treat Lyme disease. Yet, numerous patients, as observed in clinical settings and research publications, don't revert to their pre-infection health state after short-term antibiotic regimens. Many might need extended courses of antibiotics.

Furthermore, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) posits that a significant fraction, 10-20%, of individuals treated during the early stages of Lyme disease continue to exhibit symptoms post-antibiotic treatment.

A Progressive Approach to Lyme Disease Treatment

Chronic Lyme Disease sufferers often face other concurrent health challenges that obstruct full recovery.

At Mint Medical Center, we prioritize tailored, patient-focused care. A holistic evaluation of the patient's health landscape is paramount to inform treatment plans.

We offer an array of innovative treatment alternatives for Lyme disease and its co-infections, bypassing the need for antibiotics. These potential treatments can be explored in consultation with our medical team.

Our goal is holistic: fortify the entire body, address concurrent health issues, and provide effective treatment for the Lyme infection.

Adopting this comprehensive strategy has enabled us to achieve notable success in treating Lyme Disease.