Analysis of Lyme: Attachment, Transmission, Stages, Challenges, and Treatment

In this analysis of the current literature and research on Lyme and tick borne illnesses by Dr. Ronald Stram and medical assistant, Ahn Vo. Starting with an overview of its history; tick attachment time and rate of transmission; stages of infection and related symptoms; challenges in Lyme and testing; and antibiotics versus combination therapy. This throughout analysis contains a wealth of information for those who want to expand their knowledge about Lyme and it's complexity. 

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Myth: A tick head needs to be removed completely if broken off in or under the skin.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 2020 and the Tick Bite, Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines 2020, it is recommended NOT to dig out the head of a tick if the tick breaks upon removal.  It is felt that more trauma to the surrounding skin can lead to a higher risk of infection or cellulitis of the area. Leaving the tick head in does not increase the risk of contracting a tick borne illness. The body will shed skin layers and the tick debris as it heals

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Remaining Vigilant while Transitioning Gracefully from Fall into Winter

One myth or misconception is that ticks are not present during the winter.  After seeing so many ticks in late spring into early summer and then again, but maybe less so, at the beginning of the fall, we must still remain vigilant all year round.  According to the SUNY Upstate Medical University website, “ticks don’t die in the winter, they go into dormancy around 35 degrees and hide in perfectly formed igloos under leaf litter. As soon as the frozen ground thaws and the ground temperature reaches 45 degrees, ticks will begin to emerge in seek of a host for blood feeding. And if the weather gets bad again, they seek shelter, but they don’t disappear.” 

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Myth: Bullseye Rash is Always Present in Lyme Disease

Many people believe that the bullseye rash, also known as erythema migrans (EM), is necessary for a Lyme disease diagnosis. While a bullseye rash is indeed clinically diagnostic, its absence cannot rule out either acute or chronic Lyme disease. However, a non-bullseye rash is more common...

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A Note of Gratitude

As we let go of 2023, with its shortcomings, pain, beauty, and resilience, we move forward to this new year. I will always encourage my clients to reflect and explore their year, progress, pain, and gratitude. I too encourage myself to do the same. My gratitude for my work, my clients, their willingness to be open, and my bearing witness to their pain, makes me ponder and reflect on how rare it is to do my job and only my job

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Recover Faster with HBOT

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has many beneficial uses due to oxygen’s uses in cells for energy and repair. HBOT is being used by many professional athletes to help them get back into action much quicker. Recently Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the NY Jets, suffered an achilles tendon rupture. He reportedly used HBOT as part of his rehabilitation plan. Other NFL quarterbacks, for example, Kirk Cousins is also known to use HBOT for recovery and recuperation after games. HBOT is great for any injuries but is often used for more severe injuries induced trauma or surgery...

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Lyme Myth: Everyone with Lyme or a Tickborne Illness Needs to Avoid all Gluten and Dairy

Truth/Fact: Gluten sensitivities are extremely common, in part due to the pesticides used on conventionally grown wheat (called glyphosate or Roundup). This is also found on GMO crops such as corn and soy and can irritate the gut lining, weakening our immune system and having other impacts on our overall wellness. While many common food sensitivity tests are ineffective, an elimination diet along with a GI Map stool test can offer answers as to how your body responds to wheat. 

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Updates from the LymeBytes Conference

The Stram Center team recently had the opportunity to attend the Lyme Bytes Symposium in Mystic, CT to enhance our knowledge and network with other professionals. We found several presentations to be helpful, especially one on mold and mycotoxins, another on PANS and PANDAS addressing psychiatric symptoms in pediatric patients, and more. We built on our understanding of the impact that infections have on hormonal balance and what tools to use to facilitate healing those imbalances. We learned more about how each sex hormone and stress hormone plays a role in treating chronic illness including how lower testosterone can increase risk for infection due to impairing the body’s immune response....

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Updates from the 2023 ILADS conference

The 2023 conference for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, ILADS, was held in Boston in September. I had the honor of attending 3 days of lectures all focused on the problems associated with diagnosis and treatment of patients with tick borne illness, long COVID and associated conditions such as PANS and PANDAS. The conference covered a wide array of topics from the foundations of antibiotic and herbal antimicrobial therapies, to the use of machine learning (AI) to help develop new testing for lyme.  One of the most exciting lectures of the conference was a research update on a new antibiotic called....

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How do we Approach Weight Loss?

For many individuals, feeling the best is feeling comfortable in their own skin. Most adults struggle with obesity and being overweight and for many this is one of the biggest barriers to feeling well. Our approach to weight loss at the Stram Center is one that goes against the diet industry. 

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