Author: Angelica Bottaro

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Can Lyme Disease Give You Brain Fog?

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. The disease is transmitted through tick bites. When a tick with the bacteria latches onto a human host to feed on their blood, it transmits the bacteria into the bloodstream. From there, the bacteria have free reign over the entire body and can move into tissues long-term. But can Lyme disease give you brain fog or other cognitive symptoms?

Typically, Lyme disease presents with mild flu-like symptoms early on, alongside a bullseye rash around the tick bite. After those symptoms pass, the bacteria can cause other health issues as they freely roam into the joints, central nervous system, and brain. When the infection spreads, it can lead to many symptoms that affect brain health, including brain fog. But what is the connection between Lyme disease and brain fog, and can it be treated?

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Acute Vs Chronic: How Best To Apply ELISpot Results During Different Stages Of Illness

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease can be challenging to diagnose in some cases because of the way it affects the body. Initially, people may develop flu-like symptoms without realizing they have contracted Lyme disease. If that occurs, the bacterial infection will continue to take hold within the body, causing further health issues (acute vs chronic Lyme differ in the problems they may cause).

People who know they have Lyme disease early on can take a course of antibiotics, and there’s a good chance this will rid the body of bacteria.  That said, no two cases of Lyme disease are ever the same. The infection can progress at different stages depending on how long ago a person contracted it. Many times, the plethora of symptoms that develop because of Lyme disease mimic other health disorders and conditions. Called the “great imitator,” and sometimes undetectable by early signs alone, Lyme disease requires new testing is needed to ensure that when a person contracts it, they can be diagnosed and treated quickly and effectively.

One specific test, the ELISpot test, can be used in the diagnostic process for Lyme disease. But what is an ELISpot test, and can it detect Lyme disease at all stages? Let’s investigate.

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What Is The Human Microbiome?

Angelica Bottaro

The human body is a collection of organs, tissues, and systems that keep you functioning. This collection makes up the symbiotic function of life – meaning when one system isn’t working well, the others are negatively affected. In some cases, they’ll actually follow suit. This is why it’s essential to manage your health as a whole as opposed to one particular system at a time. One of the parts of the body that plays a significant role in overall health is the microbiome. But what is the human microbiome, and how does it affect your overall health?

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How Do Tick-Borne Infections Affect The Brain?

Angelica Bottaro

Whenever spring is just around the corner, you can be sure tick season is almost ready to begin, too. While many people know that ticks harbor diseases, not everyone may be aware of the severity of these infections until they contract one. The initial symptoms associated with tick-borne diseases are typically mild. Because of this, many people go untested after contracting a disease. But when treatment is not sought quickly, tick-borne diseases can spread through the entire body and cause severe health issues. Tick-borne conditions can be just as harmful to the brain as any other organ in the body – but how do tick-borne diseases affect the brain, exactly? Let’s find out.

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How Can Epstein-Barr Affect The Brain?

Angelica Bottaro

Viral infections come in all shapes and sizes. Some will take a light hold and cause mild illness, while others will dive deep into tissues and cause long-term disease and health issues. Viruses also affect people in different ways. For example, a young, healthy person may not experience any symptoms of a mild cold or flu virus, but an older adult with preexisting conditions could be hospitalized with the same infection.

When it comes to common viruses that are difficult to understand, Epstein-Barr is the leader of the pack. The virus has been around for a long time – people may commonly know it as “the kissing disease”, or mono. As much as 90% of the global population is actually walking around with the Epstein-Barr virus in their bodies without any knowledge of it!

Because of this, some people may suffer from long-term consequences of the disease, such as autoimmune conditions and an increased risk of developing certain cancers. But how does Epstein-Barr affect the brain? Let’s investigate.

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