Lyme Disease And Parkinson’s

Viral Infections And Pd Risk

The notion of a viral etiology to PD has been mooted for many years. One early example, and poi-gnant today in light of the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, was the emergence of a parkinsonian disorder, encephalitis lethargica , that has been linked to the 1918 influenza pandemic. Viruses, particularly those that are neurotropic, are plausible causal agents of PD but have been relatively understudied compared to genetic risk factors and other environmental risk factors for PD. In this section we will consider the viruses that have been linked to PD in observational studies and evaluate the strength of evidence to support a causal link.

Hepatitis B and C viruses have also been investigated for their associations with PD in recent epidemiological studies. Understanding such associations are important given the prevalence of these infections. Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus of the Flavivirus family and is estimated to infect 143 million people worldwide. It primarily involves the liver with chronic infection resulting in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma . Extrahepatic manifestations include a myriad of inflammatory and immune-mediated disorders .

Myths And Facts About Parkinsons Disease

For those living with Parkinsons, separating the myths from the facts can be a big challenge. So, from causes to treatment to quality of life, weve answered some of your common questions.

18,000 people a year are diagnosed with Parkinsons, however theres still a lot that people dont know about the disease. Weve separated the fact from the fiction.

Fact: Stem Cells Are A Possible Treatment For Parkinsons Disease

Stem cells have the potential to lead to better treatments for Parkinsons disease, but were not there yet.

These special cells are grown in a lab and can be turned into almost any type of cell. Researchers have been able to turn them into dopamine producing cells to replace those lost to Parkinsons.

However, before becoming an available treatment doctors need to provide more proof stem cells are safe and effective.

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Fact: Exercise Can Help Parkinsons Disease

Yes, doing at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week can slow the progression of Parkinsons disease symptoms.

Those living with Parkinsons should choose exercises which are safe, easy to stick with and, most importantly, enjoyable. Walking, dancing, and light aerobics are popular and can help increase balance and agility.

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Parkinsons can be a lonely experience. Whether with family, friends, or a local group, exercise is a great way to stay social and can boost your mood too.

Exercises for Parkinsons

All exercise is good for you, however certain activities are better suited to the different stages of Parkinsons.

For mild symptoms, focus on exercises that really build up a sweat and get the whole body moving, such as running, cycling or swimming.

For more progressed symptoms, exercises that improve balance and flexibility are ideal. Yoga or a fast paced walk can target specific areas of the body to improve strength.

For complex symptoms, gentle home workouts and chair exercises can help make everyday tasks easier.

Always get advice from a nurse or physiotherapist before starting a new exercise. They may also provide information on Parkinsons exercise classes. If youre looking for inspiration you can also try Parkinsons UKs exercise toolkit.

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Molecular Mechanisms And Basic Science Evidence For The Role Of Infection In Pd

Much of the evidence associating PD with infections, whether viral or bacterial, is based on obser-vational studies demonstrating increased risk to develop the disease, rather than direct evidence of infection as a singular cause. In fact, due to the complexity and multifactorial etiology of PD, identifying a single point of initiation in human PD is often impossible. For this reason, and the impossibility of interventional studies in humans involving infectious agents, the use of preclinical animal models of PD may provide the clearest evidence for or against a role of infectious agents in the etiology of PD.

Mechanistically, what might be the link between the cells of the peripheral immune system and the innate immune system in the brain? One critical component functions through recognition of MHCII a key antigen presenting protein . MHCII is critical for the presentation of antigen to both T-cells as well as microglial cells situated in the CNS . In regard to microglia, it is interesting to note that the SNpc contains the highest microglia:neuron ratio in the brain perhaps leading to its particular sensitivity to inflammation .

These observations provide plausible mechanisms to explain infection as either a susceptibility or cau-sative factor for PD. The hypothesized process by which infectious agents increase susceptibility to PD is summarized in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

The symptomology of Lyme disease is varied and diverse, resulting in significant difficulty in diagnosis. Known as “The Great Imitator,” Lyme disease can mimic the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as more than some 350 other diseases. When patients do present with a number of infections and coinfections, including other tick-borne infections, it is this complicated presentation that we call Lyme Disease Complex.

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How Will Parkinsons Disease Affect Your Life

Finding out that you have a long-term, progressive disease can lead to a wide range of feelings. You may feel angry, afraid, sad, or worried about what lies ahead. It may help to keep a few things in mind:

• Usually this disease progresses slowly. Some people live for many years with only minor symptoms.
• Many people are able to keep working for years. As the disease gets worse, you may need to change how you work.
• It is important to take an active role in your health care. Find a doctor you trust and can work with.
• Depression is common in people who have Parkinsons. If you feel very sad or hopeless, talk to your doctor or see a counsellor.
• It can make a big difference to know that youre not alone. Ask your doctor about Parkinsons support groups, or look for online groups or message boards.
• Parkinsons affects more than just the person who has it. It also affects your loved ones. Be sure to include them in your decisions.

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Als Ms Parkinsons Disease And Alzheimers Disease: No Link To Lyme Disease

In 2018 and 2019, scientists reviewed 30 years of Danish medical records of patients diagnosed with Lyme neuroborreliosis. They found no connection between neuroborreliosis and any of ALS, MS, Parkinsons disease, and Alzheimers disease.

In 2015, CDC scientists compared Lyme disease prevalence to death rates for ALS, MS, Parkinsons disease, and Alzheimers disease, as illustrated in the figure below. Like in Denmark, the CDC scientists found no link between Lyme disease and any of ALS, MS, or Parkinsons.

Alzheimers

The CDC scientists also found a small inverse correlation between Alzheimers disease deaths and Lyme disease. Where Lyme disease was high, Alzheimers disease death rates were lower. So does Lyme disease prevent Alzheimers? Probably not. But regardless, the CDC scientists were able to conclude:

Although associations between Lyme disease and Alzheimer disease, ALS, MS, and Parkinson disease have been proposed by writers of speculative websites and articles, supportive evidence for such an association is lacking. The absence of a positive correlation in the geographic distributions of these conditions provides further evidence against an association between Lyme disease and deaths from these 4 neurodegenerative conditions.

A 2014 study in the Journal of Alzheimers also found no positive correlation between Lyme disease and Alzheimers disease.

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Know How To Remove A Tick

Lyme Symptoms: Days 1-30

Treating an infection within the first 3 weeks is critical to reducing the risk of chronic Lyme disease, which can last for the rest of your life. If the following symptoms appear , seek medical assistance right away.

What Is Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease affects the way you move. It happens when there is a problem with certain nerve cells in the brain.

Normally, these nerve cells make an important chemical called dopamine. Dopamine sends signals to the part of your brain that controls movement. It lets your muscles move smoothly and do what you want them to do. When you have Parkinsons, these nerve cells break down. Then you no longer have enough dopamine, and you have trouble moving the way you want to.

Parkinsons is progressive, which means it gets worse over time. But usually this happens slowly, over many years. And there are good treatments that can help you live a full life.

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Thoughts On Lyme Related To Ms Fibro Parkinsons Lupus Cfs Als Autism And Other Conditions

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Lyme Disease And Parkinsons Symptoms

• Sharon Vander ZylParticipant

  Does anyone know if any research is being done linking Parkinsons symptoms with long haul Lyme and EBV?

• June 2, 2022 at 9:53 pm#24139Susan SchlagerParticipant

  Yes, I had heard that Lyme disease, the great mimicker, can manifest itself as Parkinsons disease, MS, Alzheimers, etc, My husbands neurologist refused to entertain that thought, actually made me feel stupid for thinking is could be a possibility. I would like to know what others have heard.

• You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

• Active 4 hours, 4 minutes ago

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Parkinsons News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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What Causes Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease that currently affects about 1 million Americans. Parkinsons disease involves a small, dark-tinged portion of the brain called the substantia nigra. This is where you produce most of the dopamine your brain uses. Dopamine is the chemical messenger that transmits messages between nerves that control muscle movements as well as those involved in the brains pleasure and reward centers. As we age, its normal for cells in the substantia nigra to die. This process happens in most people at a very slow rate.

But for some people, the loss happens rapidly, which is the start of Parkinsons disease. When 50 to 60 percent of the cells are gone, you begin to see the symptoms of Parkinsons.

How The Adaptation Program Can Help

In our Adaptation Program, we come alongside you to provide guidance, support, and accountability as we work together to restore your health.

We see our work with our patients as a partnership and truly want to see you succeed. As part of the program, youll learn how to address any and all issues youre facing through lifestyle strategies, personalized nutrition and supplement recommendations, and access to our ever growing GrassRoots community.

About the Author: Dr. Seth Osgood is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Dr. Osgood received his post-graduate training in Functional Medicine through the IFM and from working with Dr. Amy Myers. He has helped people from around the world improve their health utilizing a Functional Medicine approach.

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Is It Parkinson’s Or Lymeare Young Adults Regularly Misdiagnosed

Michael was a smart man in his 30’s who was an actor with moderate success. He was, however, a little too impressed with Ivy. Meaning, anyone who worked as part of an “Ivy League” faculty was like a great heavenly Gnostic sage, offering the great pearls of truth. If he only knew the reality.

He was from New York and had enjoyed a wide range of vacations in the past, including hiking in the lovely New York mountains.

Lets look at the simple basic symptoms of Lyme disease.

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What is Parkinsons Disease ?

Parkinsons is a disease of the central nervous system. The main feature is progressive loss of voluntary motor control. Ultimately, PD interferes with daily life activities.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s are due to nerve cell damage in the brain, which causes dopamine levels to drop. Low levels of dopamine cause problems with movement . Nerve cells fire and there isn’t enough dopamine to transmit messages so the brain cannot transmit the signals to coordinate movement. This is when the PD symptoms of tremor and stiffness start to happen.

• PD frequently starts with a tremor in one hand. Other symptoms include diminished motor activity, slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance.
• Progression of the disease leads to stooped posture, difficulty walking and difficulty talking. Patients may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties and fatigue.
• People usually start to show Parkinson’s symptoms around age 60.
• Patients typically live between 10 and 20 years after diagnosis.
• The actor Michael J. Fox is a well-known sufferer of Parkinson’s.

Parkinsons Disease Facts

What Causes Parkinsons Disease?

The precise cause of PD is unknown. It is a combination of genetic and epigenetic risk factors:

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A Case Of Lyme Disease And Parkinsons Disease

Some people with LD will have symptoms of brain problems after their diagnosis. These problems can include memory loss and shaking of the hands and feet. Most of these problems go away after the person takes medications to treat LD.3 There is one time that a person had symptoms of Parkinsons disease after his treatment for LD. These symptoms continued to get worse until the person eventually passed away.1 This is the only case that doctors know of someone who developed Parkinsons disease from LD. This case of Parkinsons disease was verified by an autopsy. This person had no brain symptoms before his LD diagnosis. Researchers dont know if the LD caused the Parkinsons disease symptoms, or if this person would have developed Parkinsons disease without having LD.

What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Lyme Disease

An extensive list of symptoms of chronic Lyme disease was developed by Dr. Joseph Burrascano, a pioneer in treating chronic Lyme disease. Many Lyme symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, joint pain, poor sleep, mood problems, muscle pain, and neurological presentations also occur in other diseases.

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What Happened To The Classic Bull’s

An initial bite from a tick can cause a rash that will appear in three months to a year. While the characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash is associated with Lyme disease, the rash only appears in an estimated 50% of infected individuals, or it may appear in a different form. If this rash does appear, it will generally wane over a two to a four-week period. 70 percent of all patients who do present with Lyme disease complex never recall such a rash.

What Increases Your Risk

The main risk factor for Lyme disease is exposure to ticks that are infected with Lyme disease bacteria. In areas where Lyme disease is widespread, such as the eastern and south-central areas of Canada, southern British Columbia, and northeastern United States, several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Spending time outdoors during the warm months of the year when ticks are most active. This is usually between May and November, with peak activity in June and July.
• Having indoor/outdoor pets. They can bring infected ticks into the house. Although dogs and cats can become infected with the Lyme disease bacteria, they cannot pass the illness to humans. But the infected ticks can drop off the animal and then bite and infect a person.
• Having a stone fence or a bird feeder near your house. Stone fences often become homes for mice, and mice may feed on spilled seed from a bird feeder. Where there are mice, there are ticks.

Remove ticks right away, as soon as you notice them. Your risk for getting Lyme disease increases the longer a tick is attached to your body. Ticks generally cannot transmit Lyme disease until they are attached for at least 36 hours.

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