Baltimore functional medicine specialist, Eric Nager, M.D. offers treatments for lyme disease that focus on optimizing health for patients suffering from lyme disease in Baltimore - Washington DC Metro.

Warmer months means it’s time to enjoy nature. When the sun comes out, many of us venture into the wild for hiking, biking, camping and more. While it may be fun to get out and play, it remains vital to protect ourselves from the more harmful elements of outdoor activities.

Lyme disease is an illness spread by blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks) carrying a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. When bitten, Lyme disease may be transmitted to humans, causing a slew of symptoms that, if left unchecked, can progress through three stages. Luckily, Baltimore patients who are seeking care for Lyme Disease are re-discovering their optimal wellness with Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute.

Call functional medicine specialist, Eric Nager, M.D. at (443) 737-4456 if you are experiencing symptoms of lyme disease. The sooner you call the sooner Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute can help.

The Three Stages of Lyme Disease:

According to the CDC, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme Disease are reported each year, though it is estimated that a more accurate number of cases may be 476,000. Many times symptoms go unnoticed or ignored, allowing the disease to progress to stage two or three.

Stage one of Lyme disease is also referred to as early localized Lyme disease. This first stage may begin days to weeks after the initial infection and the symptoms may come and go.

Often, but not always, an indicator will be a rash, which will have a “bull’s eye” appearance and may expand to at least 7 inches in diameter over the course of several days. This rash may not be itchy or painful, but, if ignored, it may linger for several weeks and the rash may spread to other parts of the body.

In the absence of a rash, some infected individuals experience a swelling in their lymph nodes.

The affected party may also experience flu-like symptoms that include:

  • Joint and Muscle Pain
  • Headache
  • Fever and Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Neck Stiffness

Early Disseminated Lyme Disease, or Stage 2, will typically occur several weeks to months after the initial tick bite. As the bacterium spreads through the body, more symptoms may become apparent. Those reaching stage two may notice, in addition to stage one symptoms:

  • Changes in Vision
  • Chest Pain
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Additional Rashes
  • Dizziness
  • Nerve Pains
  • Swelling and Inflammation
  • Facial Palsy (paralysis, either partial or full)
  • Pain, weakness, numbness or ‘tingling’ in limbs

Stage 3 of Lyme Disease is also referred to as Late Disseminated Lyme Disease. It may occur months to years after the initial infection and is when the disease has spread throughout the body and nervous system.

During this stage, patients may experience more severe symptoms as well as increased stress to their existing neurological and cardiac systems. Symptoms of Stage 3 include all of the Stage 1 and 2 symptoms as well as:

  • Arthritis in Large Joints
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Aching and Painful Joints, Spine and Neck
  • Severe Migraines and Headaches
  • Inability to Concentrate
  • Cognitive Decline
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What Causes Lyme Disease?

The most immediate and well known cause of Lyme Disease is the bite of a Blacklegged, or deer, tick. Most often, it is the immature blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme after they have fed on infected animals.

A less discussed cause of Lyme Disease is when a pregnant woman is infected and she goes without treatment. Her placenta may become infected, which may lead to complications with the developing fetus.

Though very rare, there are reported cases of children being born with Lyme disease.

Preventative Measures

Lyme Disease is a more frequent occurrence during warm months, and these blacklegged ticks are most often encountered in areas with high grass. Ticks will go where the food is – so if you are going to an where you expect to see deer or small rodents, assuming ticks are there too is a best practice.

Here are a few tricks that can help you avoid tick bites.

  • Wearing long sleeves and long pants and tucking your shirt into your waistline and pant legs into your socks give ticks fewer access points.
  • Light-colored clothing provides a good contrast to the small black ticks, making them easier to spot and remove.
  • Apply insect repellents such as DEET to your clothing and exposed skin.
  • Walk in the center of trails, instead of near the tall grass.
  • Shower within two hours of coming indoors, be sure to do a tick check.
  • Don’t forget to check your children, pets, clothing, and gear for ticks.
  • Learn about ways to prevent ticks from infesting your backyard.

More information about tick prevention, and how to do body-checks for yourself and your pets can be found on the CDC’s website.

You Found A Tick:

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible. You can do this with a tick removal devise or a set of fine-tipped tweezers.

Should you opt for the tweezers, be sure to clean them first, then pull the tick upwards with even pressure, making sure not to twist or jerk the tick. Be sure to clean the bite area and your hands before disposing of the tick.

When to Talk to A Doctor

Unless the tick has been attached to you for an extended period of time (24 hours or longer) your chances of contracting Lyme disease is very small. However, be sure to watch the bite area for a rash, which will usually appear within 3 to 30 days.

Testing for Lyme Disease

If you detect a rash or symptoms, which usually occur around 3 to 30 days after the bite, go to see your doctor as soon as possible. Be prepared to answer questions about the likelihood or time of exposure as well as your general symptoms.

Your doctor may do a blood draw for antibody testing. If this is the case, they will go over the results with you and help you determine the best course of action from there.

Low Dose Antigen Therapy for Lyme Disease

Low Dose Antigen Therapy, or LDA is a customized treatment option for patients suffering from mild to severe allergies, and is now also used to treat Lyme Disease.

LDA combines small samples of the allergens (in doses that do not cause severe side effects) that are affecting an individual with an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which stimulates the immunologic response that reduces the body’s reactions to allergens.

This therapy stimulates an increase in the T-regulator cells, which are the regulatory cells that suppress immune responses, in other words: preventing your immune system from attacking benign intruders.

With Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute‘s help, Baltimore patients are rebalancing their immune response and are living symptom-free lives because of customized LDA Therapy.

Baltimore Lyme Disease Treatment

The Sooner We Catch It, The Sooner We Cure It

It’s important not to wait if you are exhibiting symptoms of lyme disease! Call (443) 737-4456 and schedule your appointment with Eric Nager, M.D. of OptiHealth Institute in Baltimore today.

Functional Medicine specialist at OptiHealth Institute treats men and women struggling with lyme disease using a functional regenerative medicine approach in Baltimore and Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Annapolis, Arlington, Baltimore, Bel Air, Bethesda, Bowie, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dover, Dundalk, Easton, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkridge, Elkton, Ellicott City, Essex, Frederick, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Glen Burnie, Greenbelt, Hagerstown, Hanover, Harrisburg, Havre de Grace, Lancaster, Laurel, Monmouth County, Morris County, Odenton, Owings Mills, Parkville, Pasadena, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Rockville, Severn, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Towson, Waldorf, Washington DC, Westminster, Wilmington, and York.