Emily Johnson
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia bacteria, transmitted by a tick bite. While antibiotics are the standard treatment, some patients continue to suffer from Lyme disease after treatment. In such cases, medicinal mushrooms and herbal therapy have been used to treat chronic Lyme disease. While lime does not kill mushrooms, it can slow their growth and eliminate the fungus when used with other chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Will lime kill mushrooms? | Lime will not kill mushrooms but it can slow and eliminate the fungus when used with other lawn chemicals. |
| How does lime work against mushrooms? | Mushrooms prefer lower pH levels and will not grow well or produce fruit in alkaline soils. Lime raises the soil's pH levels. |
| What are some other ways to kill mushrooms? | Fungicides, nitrogen, and removing the organic matter that feeds the fungi. |
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What You'll Learn
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks
Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. The disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria, specifically from the spirochete family, which is spread through to people through tick bites. Many people infected with the Lyme bacteria do not exhibit any symptoms and may cure it on their own without treatment. However, for those who do show symptoms, the disease usually starts with a rash that is often described as a "bullseye". Other symptoms include flu-like symptoms, nervous system symptoms such as inflammation and weakness or paralysis of a facial nerve, heart problems, and eye problems. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics for 2 to 3 weeks in the early stages, and later stages may require up to 4 to 8 weeks of antibiotics.
While Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, there is no evidence that it will kill mushrooms. In fact, medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Lion's Mane have been studied for their potential benefits in treating chronic Lyme disease. These mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties and have been used to address pain-related symptoms associated with the disease.
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Lyme disease causes neuropsychiatric symptoms
Lyme disease is a multisystemic illness that can affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms. It is transmitted by a tick bite infected with Borrelia, a bacterium in the spirochete family. The infection often has no symptoms, but can sometimes lead to a disabling condition, including lasting joint pain, partial paralysis of the limbs, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Up to 40% of patients with Lyme disease develop neurological involvement of either the peripheral or central nervous system. Dissemination to the CNS can occur within the first few weeks after skin infection. Like syphilis, Lyme disease may have a latency period of months to years before symptoms of late infection emerge. Early signs include meningitis, encephalitis, cranial neuritis, and radiculoneuropathies. Later, encephalomyelitis and encephalopathy may occur.
Neurological Lyme disease, or Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), can affect any part of the nervous system, including the brain, if left untreated. It causes a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including facial nerve palsy (also known as Bell's palsy), anxiety, emotional disorders, and difficulties with attention and learning. In children, LNB can progress rapidly, leading to central nervous system disease before a positive diagnosis is made.
Cognitive deficits associated with Lyme disease include poor memory, slower speed of thinking, difficulty with word retrieval, and impaired fine motor control. "Brain fog" is a common term used to describe the patient's experience. Rarely, neuropsychiatric Lyme disease results in more severe manifestations, including paranoia, hallucinations, mania, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
While Lyme disease can cause a range of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, it is important to note that the pattern of symptoms and the progression of the disease vary from patient to patient. Treatment for Lyme disease, including herbal therapies and antibiotics, is most successful when started early.
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Lyme disease is also known as Lyme borreliosis
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis or borreliosis, is caused by the Borrelia bacterium, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The disease was first recognised in 1975 when a cluster of cases originally thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was identified in three towns in southeastern Connecticut, including Lyme and Old Lyme, lending the disease its popular name.
Lyme borreliosis is characterised by a range of symptoms, including a distinctive bull's eye rash, joint pain, facial palsy, headaches, and radicular pain. In some cases, Lyme disease can lead to more severe complications, such as Lyme carditis, which affects the heart's electrical conduction system, and neurological problems known as neuroborreliosis.
The disease is known to be caused by several species of the Borrelia bacterium, including B. mayonii and B. burgdorferi, which are found in North America, and B. afzelii, B. garinii, and B. spielmanii, found in Eurasia. The risk of contracting Lyme disease is particularly high in certain regions, such as the U.S. Northeast and upper Midwest, where a significant proportion of ticks carry the bacterium.
The treatment of Lyme disease typically involves a two-step serologic testing process using FDA-cleared assays, as recommended by the CDC. Early detection and treatment of Lyme disease are crucial, as delaying diagnosis can lead to chronic manifestations of the disease, including persistent fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties, known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
While there is no mention of Lyme directly killing mushrooms, some sources suggest that medicinal mushrooms can be used to treat Lyme disease. These mushrooms, such as Reishi and Lion's Mane, possess anti-inflammatory properties and are recommended for managing pain-related symptoms associated with the disease.
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Lyme disease is one of the fastest-emerging infectious diseases
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. It is caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, including B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and B. garinii. While Lyme disease is not contagious, it is one of the fastest-emerging infectious diseases in the United States, with approximately 500,000 new cases reported annually, according to the CDC. This figure represents a 59% increase over the previous estimate of 300,000 cases, indicating a rapid growth in the incidence of Lyme disease.
The difficulty in diagnosing Lyme disease contributes to its status as a growing public health concern. The disease is known as an "imitator," mimicking various other ailments, which makes it challenging for physicians to recognize during routine examinations. Furthermore, the infection often exhibits no symptoms, and when it does, they may not be immediately apparent. The most common symptom is a rash called erythema migrans (EM), which occurs in approximately 80% of infected individuals within 30 days of exposure. However, the incidence of EM rashes varies depending on geographical location and Borrelia species, and some patients never develop this telltale sign.
The increasing prevalence of Lyme disease is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the tick population is expanding, and the number of tick-endemic regions is on the rise. Secondly, ticks, the tiny parasites that transmit the disease, feed on the blood of humans and animals, and their infection rates vary significantly from one location to another, even within the same county. This variability in infection rates makes it challenging to predict and control the spread of the disease.
The impact of Lyme disease can be severe and debilitating, affecting the joints, heart, brain, and central nervous system. Patients with late-stage Lyme disease may experience crippling joint and muscular pain, migraines, light and sound sensitivity, cognitive impairment, nausea, fatigue, and even heart or breathing difficulties. The disease can also lead to psychiatric, neurological, and rheumatological manifestations. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding prolonged antibiotic use and the highly variable disease progression further complicates treatment options.
While Lyme disease is a significant concern in the United States, it is also present in other parts of the world. In Europe, Lyme disease is endemic in many countries, including southern Scandinavia, Greece, Italy, Spain, the British Isles, and central Russia. The incidence is highest in central and eastern European countries. Additionally, cases of Lyme disease have been reported in travelers returning from endemic regions, highlighting the global reach of this rapidly emerging infectious disease.
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Lyme disease can be treated with medicinal mushrooms
Lyme disease is a serious condition transmitted by a tick bite infected with borrelia, a bacterium in the spirochete family. The infection often has no symptoms, but it can sometimes lead to a disabling condition with symptoms like joint pain, partial paralysis of the limbs, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and cognitive difficulties. While Lyme disease is usually treated with antibiotics, some patients continue to experience symptoms even after treatment.
Up to 20% of patients with Lyme disease develop post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which includes recurrent symptoms of fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment that can persist for at least six months after antibiotic treatment. In some cases, commonly prescribed treatments may not be curative, and patients can remain ill for long periods after treatment.
As a result, some people have turned to herbal therapy and medicinal mushrooms as a potential treatment option for chronic Lyme disease. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices and are known to have various health benefits. Here are some specific types of medicinal mushrooms that have been studied for their potential benefits in treating Lyme disease:
- Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Reishi mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They have been recommended for pain-related symptoms associated with Lyme disease. Reishi also has adaptogenic properties, helping the body adapt to and blunt the negative effects of stressors such as anxiety, fatigue, and emotional distress.
- Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Lion's Mane is known for its benefits to the immune system, brain, and nervous system. It has been shown to improve cognition and concentration and reduce depression and anxiety. Lion's Mane also stimulates the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is valuable for patients with nerve damage, a concern for many Lyme disease patients.
- Cordyceps: Cordyceps mushrooms have been used in Chinese and Tibetan medicine for centuries and are known to boost metabolism, reduce fatigue, increase testosterone in men, and act as an immune stimulant and antioxidant. Their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties make them useful in treating Lyme disease.
- Psilocybin: Microdosed psilocybin has been studied for its potential in treating neuropsychiatric Lyme disease. It has been found to have therapeutic benefits for patients with mental illness secondary to autoimmune inflammation.
While scientific studies are limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that herbal therapy and medicinal mushrooms may be a viable option for treating chronic Lyme disease. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of these treatments may vary, and seeking medical advice before starting any new treatment is always recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
Lime will not kill mushrooms, but it can slow and eliminate the fungus when used with other lawn chemicals. Mushrooms prefer lower pH levels and will not grow well or produce fruit in alkaline soils.
You can use fungicides, which are available in powder and liquid form. They can either slow the growth of the fungus or kill it, causing both the fruit and root system to die.
You can use chemical products or fertilizers containing nitrogen. However, removing the organic matter that feeds the fungi is a better long-term approach.
While chemical products can be effective, natural measures may be a better option. Applying too many fungicides can result in poor soil and an unhealthy lawn.
