Lyme and PANS Newsletter – April 2019

In this issue

  • ANSWERS to our Most Frequently Asked Questions
  • Healing Foods Workshops
  • Meal Planning & Home Cooking Help Available
  • FREE Q & A Sessions
  • Mindfulness Classes for ALL Levels
  • Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Most Frequently Asked Questions

LPTC recently celebrated its 3 year anniversary. Below we provide answers to our most frequently asked questions from these 3 years.

Q: How can a health problem such as strep or Lyme lead to anxiety or academic problems?

A: Infections such as strep and Lyme trigger the immune system to release a cytokine cascade, basically, an attack on the infectious invader. If an infection goes undetected, untreated (or under-treated), the attack from the immune system can persist for a long time. This leaves the body with an excess of inflammatory attackers (e.g., antibodies). Over the last two decades, Dr. Sue Swedo at NIH (and many researchers since then), have shown that the immune system's attack on infections can inadvertently cause harm to parts of the brain responsible for processing emotions, cognitions, movement, and more. In some cases, people will develop PANS/PANDAS. Would you like to see research articles about this? Click here for over 100 published and peer-reviewed studies! http://pandasnetwork.org/research-articles-case-studies-reports/

Q: Why doesn't my regular doctor believe that Lyme disease is a big problem?

A: We can only guess. Based on what we have heard from doctors outside of the center, we suspect the issue is lack of education. There are literally thousands of published and peer-reviewed scientific studies about tick-borne illnesses now. Research shows that Lyme can evade antibiotic treatment, affect the brain, lead to heart problems (e.g., myocarditis), or trigger countless health problems. If your doctor does not believe that Lyme is a big problem, you can suggest that he or she attends a scientific Lyme disease conference. Particularly in the northeast where tick-borne diseases are an epidemic, it is well worth your doctor's time to learn about Lyme disease from the experts. Would you like to read research studies about this? Visit our website here for over 700 published studies: http://www.lymeandpanstreatmentcenter.com/persistent-lyme

Q: If my Lyme test from my PCP came back negative, am I in the clear?

A: No. Lyme tests are only one piece of the puzzle, and they are notoriously inaccurate. If you suspect you have Lyme disease due to your symptoms and/or exposure to ticks, a negative blood test from your PCP is not sufficient in ruling out Lyme disease. Educate yourself on the topic by reading "How can I get better" by Dr. Richard Horowitz or seek an evaluation from a Lyme-literate doctor.

Q: What is the difference between PANS and PANDAS?

A: Both PANS and PANDAS refer to misdirected immune responses that inadvertently inflame certain areas of the brain. In both cases, inflammation from a health problem (e.g., an infection) crosses the blood-brain-barrier and leads to symptoms that appear neuropsychiatric (e.g., severe anxiety, motor tics, obsessiveness, academic problems). In most cases, patients are labeled with a psychiatric or learning disorder. Stated simply, the difference between PANS and PANDAS is the source of the inflammation. In PANDAS, the source of inflammation (or immune condition) is from a current or past strep infection. In PANS, the source the inflammation (or immune condition) can be from any number of infectious triggers (e.g., tick-borne diseases, viruses, mycoplasma pneumonia, fungi, parasites), or even other sources of inflammation from the body such as foods.

Got more questions? The Lyme and PANS Treatment Center offers FREE Question and Answers sessions on the last Sunday of every month at 6:00PM. Call 781-923-7000 to schedule an individual appointment or to sign up for the free Q &A.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

At LPTC we encourage all-natural approaches to self-care. Facial Rejuvenation is a holistic approach to beauty that helps people look and feel younger. It has been touted as a non-surgical facelift.Facial Rejuvenation works by tightening pores, improving muscle tone, increasing collagen production and reducing facial stresses. It also restores balance to the skin’s moisture and color by increasing blood circulation to the face, which improves muscle tone. Facial rejuvenation may help reduce crow’s feet, double chin, lip lines, wrinkles, dark eye circles, and age spots. Call 781-923-7000 for an appointment with our Licensed Acupuncturist and Naturopath, Dr. Foss.

Mindfulness & Meditation Classes in April

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Loving-Kindness Meditation: 4/25/19 6:00-7:00PM

Develop your self-care. Enjoy this guided meditation. Must have prior meditation practice to register for this class.

Introduction to Mindfulness: 4/27/19 10:30AM-12:00PM

Learn the basics of mindfulness meditation in a relaxed setting. OPEN TO ALL

Call 781-923-7000 to reserve your spot. $25

Need Healthy Snack and Meal Ideas?

Want help in your own kitchen?

Need advice about healing foods?

Schedule a one-on-one appointment with our Health Coaches OR come in for a Healing with Anti-inflammatory Eating group workshop (only $40) on the first Thursday of any month at noon. Call 781-923-7000 for details.