Lyme Disease Therapies

Antibiotic Therapy

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterial infection Borellia burgdorferi. Common co-infections include Babesia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. Antibiotics are often an important treatment for Lyme Disease.

Borellia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease, is a complex bacteria that requires strategic antibiotic therapy for effective treatment. When treating Lyme disease and co-infections with antibiotics the following principles may be applied:

• Extended antibiotic therapy may be required in Chronic Lyme Disease.
• Treat both the cell wall and intracellular form of the Lyme disease bacteria. This may require rotation through different classes of antibiotics, or taking more than one antibiotic in combination at one time.
• Treat the cystic form of B. burgdorferi. This can be accomplished with prescription or natural antiparasitic therapies.
• Treatment of any co-infections that exist. Depending on which co-infections a patient has, these may be require antimicrobial therapies before, during or after treatment of Lyme disease.
• It is important to note that prescription medication (including antibiotics) is out of scope for a naturopathic doctor in Alberta.

Herbal and Nutrient Therapy

One of the key therapies used by Naturopathic Doctors is herbal medicine and nutrient therapy. These therapies cover a very broad range of therapeutic targets, which is important when dealing with Lyme disease and co-infections. Herbal medicines can be used under the guidance of a naturopath to help treat the infection, in addition to antibiotic therapy or for patients who cannot tolerate antibiotics.

The Naturopathic Doctors at the Nardella Clinic in Calgary have the experience to use herbal therapies in conjunction with other therapies such as antibiotics, or as a stand-alone treatment based on the patient’s individual needs. Our Naturopathic Doctors use herbal medications and nutrients for a number of purposes including the following:

• Breaking down biofilm to increase efficacy of antimicrobials
• Natural antifungals
• Improving detoxification
• Increasing energy
• Enhancing mitochondrial function
• Regulating inflammation
• Improving immune function
• Improving memory and cognition
• Managing herxheimer reactions
• Healing neurological tissue

Intravenous Therapies

Lyme disease is a complex disease that impacts many systems throughout the body. Various intravenous therapies have the ability to address each of the affected areas. The administration of substances intravenously has the advantages of increased absorption and increased tissue saturation of the substances. Intravenous therapies can be used to support the immune system, manage symptoms, and improve detoxification.

Naturopathic Doctors Nardella and Haggarty have over twenty years of experience providing these therapies safely and effectively. Their expertise helps to guides patients as to which therapies are the most appropriate for each individual.

Detoxification

Naturopathic medicine has its roots in optimizing digestive health and detoxification. It is worth noting that many patients who suffer from chronic Lyme disease have issues with detoxification. It is the theory of many that a patient’s ability to detoxify properly many be one of the contributing factors as to why some people are affected more than others by the infection. Additionally, many patients with Lyme disease and co-infections may be affected by GI dysbioisis as a result of immune dysregulation and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Colonic hydrotherapy is the slow administration of warm water to aid with cleansing the large intestine. In addition to colonic hydrotherapy patients may also benefit from colonic reflorastation (rectal administration of probiotics) and rectal ozone. The Nardella clinic in Calgary has offered colonic hydrotherapy in Calgary for 20 years.

Optimizing detoxification is necessary for enhancing the recovery process when dealing with chronic Lyme disease. Our Naturopathic Doctors use a combination of naturopathic therapies to support proper detoxification.

Many Lyme disease patients have higher levels of heavy metals in their system due to a decreased ability to detoxify, it is more important to properly remove these metals due to the role they may play in decreasing a patients immune system and ability to fight infection.

Pain Management

Pain is one of the most common complaints of patients with Lyme disease and has one of the biggest impacts on a patient’s quality of life. Pain may present as joint pain, muscle pain, bone pain, nerve pain and headaches. Treating the underlying infections using various therapies is one of the most important keys to gaining control of the pain long-term, as this is the fuel on the fire that causes inflammation in the body. However, many in office naturopathic therapies can help with pain management until the time that infection can be adequately controlled.

Neurological Health and Rehabilitation

Another common group of symptoms affecting Lyme disease sufferers are those associated with neurological Lyme disease. These symptoms can range from nerve pain, to numbness and tingling, to difficulty with focus and concentration, and even disorientation. Naturopathic medicine has a large toolbox when it comes to neurological health. In addition to treating underlying infection, targeted in office therapies can help to support the nervous system to heal and repair.

Individuals are encouraged to consult our naturopathic doctor to determine what treatments are suitable for their health needs.