Lyme Disease And Mold Toxicity: Symptoms Of Neurological Dysfunction
At Brain Harmony, we are fortunate to work with a wide variety of friends that present with all kinds of symptoms and health conditions. Interestingly, there are some health conditions that may seem unrelated, yet often pair together. Two of these conditions are Lyme disease and mold toxicity.
Although it may seem coincidental, we're not alone in recognizing the correlation between these two conditions, and some doctors hypothesize that it's an overall weakened immune system that allows one to be susceptible to both Lyme and mold[*].
What's more, Lyme disease and mold toxicity symptoms are quite similar, and both tend to mimic symptoms of Autism. In fact, research suggests that around one in every four children on the autism spectrum has Lyme disease[*].
Furthermore, studies are now finding a potential link between mold exposure, inflammatory processes, and the onset of austistic symptoms. Some case studies even show that when some children on the spectrum are removed from home environments that contain high levels of mold their symptoms rapidly begin to resolve[*][*].
Although we may not have all the answers as to why Lyme disease and mold toxicity occur together, what we do understand is the underlying neurological imbalances that take place and the steps necessary to help you or your loved ones heal.
What Is Lyme Disease and Mold Toxicity?
Lyme disease and mold toxicity are two separate conditions that often occur together and present with similar symptoms, often mimicking the neurological signs of autism. While Lyme disease is transmitted through ticks, mold toxicity comes from exposure to high levels of mold in your home, school, office or any place where you spend a significant amount of time.
Furthermore, Lyme disease and mold toxicity may impact the health of newborns when their mother is exposed to either condition. At Brain Harmony we see many parents that have mold toxicity or Lyme with children that are on the spectrum[*][*].
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common infectious pathogen-transmitted disease in the United States. It's caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is primarily transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks on the pacific coast, or deer tick, which lives primarily in northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States.
Ticks feed during the spring and summer months, and in most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours before it can infect its host. The problem is, most Lyme infections are transmitted by immature ticks that are very small, typically attaching to hard-to-see areas like armpits, scalp, and groin.
Early signs of Lyme disease include rash, fever, stiffness, and swollen lymph. If left untreated, Lyme disease infection can travel your joints, heart, and nervous system, producing a range of neurological and physical symptoms[*].
It's currently estimated that approximately 476,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States[*].
Mold Toxicity
Mold grows where there is moisture, so broadly speaking, there's always mold around. However, in the case of mold toxicity, there are usually high levels of mold around your home or office, or your immune system is weakened, making you more susceptible to the toxic effects of mold.
Mold may accumulate through open doors, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems in your home. It will grow where there is moisture, so leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes may also be hot spots for mold.
If you have a large mold infestation in your home or building, you can usually see or smell it. However, depending on your sensitivity to mold, you may not even know it's around[*].
However, for those that are very sensitive, serious symptoms can emerge like cough, wheezing, or asthmatic symptoms. Furthermore, mold exposure can eventually lead to neurological symptoms that mimic neurological diseases like pain syndromes, movement disorders, dementia, and so on[*].
In general, if you have a suppressed immune system or lung disease, you may be more susceptible to fungal infections[*].
Neurological Symptoms of Lyme Disease and Mold Toxicity
Many people with Lyme disease and mold toxicity present with very similar symptoms. Neurologically, both of these conditions can impact your nervous system and cause disorganization, which leads to an array of symptoms that mimic autism-like characteristics.
While Lyme disease may directly impact your neurological system, the mycotoxins in mold may contribute to neuronal-inflammation and activate a part of your immune system that affects your brain and behavior[*][*].
The most common neurological signs and symptoms of mold toxicity and Lyme disease include[*]:
Chronic fatigue
Learning difficulties
Depression
Weakness
Poor concentration
Memory issues
Confusion
Mood swings
Muscle aches and pains
Sensitivity to light exposure and physical touch
Dizziness
Numbness and tingling
Headaches
Tremors
Temperature regulation issues
Furthermore, many people exhibit signs and symptoms that mimic conditions like[*]:
Alzheimer’s
Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Schizophrenia
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Heart conditions
Bell’s Palsy (facial drooping)
Many people find that the standard medical approach to treating Lyme disease and mold toxicity leaves them feeling just as bad, if not worse off than when they initially sought help. For Lyme disease, the first treatment approach is antibiotics, and for mold, corticosteroids or antihistamines are typically given to ward off unwanted symptoms.
Unfortunately, neither of these approaches get to the root concern, which is why many people continue to struggle with unwanted symptoms of these conditions for years[*][*].
Brain Harmony's Approach To Lyme Disease and Mold Toxicity
At Brain Harmony, our goal with friends who present with Lyme disease symptoms or mold toxicity is to support them in getting their nervous system back into balance. At the same time, we encourage our clients to work with a functional medicine doctor that can help to treat them on a cellular level, leading the detox process and cellular healing. Pairing the two approaches maximizes healing, beyond conventional expectations.
Many of the physical symptoms like rash, cough, and wheezing that come with Lyme and mold exposure will resolve once the detoxification process begins. However, to get to the root of the neurological symptoms, we engage our 5-step program to treat your underlying neurological infrastructure and get you back on track.
Our 5-step program can reset the autonomic nervous system and reorganize your brain while helping to treat the inflammation, cognitive concerns, and energy issues that come with these conditions. This is the reason we start to heal the human system with vagal regulation whether it’s for Lyme, Mold, or Autism. We treat the underlying autonomic nervous system that is carrying the condition. Our first step of vagal regulation allows you to connect with the parasympathetic response of the vagus nerve which does several things including decreasing inflammation, pausing fight or flight response, and awakening our social skills. Prioritizing neurological safety after the disabling effects of the medical condition can calm your nervous system and set the stage for healing. Without the ability to get into a calm place, your nervous system won't know that it's safe enough to relax and begin its journey back into balance.
In the second step, we provide neurological reorganization. The brain fog, fatigue, cognitive decline and disorganization that are shared by these conditions can leave us with poor executive function making it hard to complete daily needs much less find enjoyment in our lives. During this phase, your occupational therapist (OT) or certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) will develop a plan specifically for you with protocols and listening tools to restructure the disorganization that is causing many of your neurological symptoms.
In the third step of your plan of care, your therapist will assess if there are any primitive retained reflexes or movement patterns that can be contributing to your overall decline in health. If primitive reflexes are identified, you’re provided with training to integrate these restrictive patterns so you can move forward with healing.
In step four, your OT/COTA will identify the best therapeutic activities to participate in while you are on your healing journey. This step further organizes your brain and central nervous system by giving your body specific cues and strategies relating to balance, strength, and range of motion that is unique to your goals and circumstances.
And finally, in step five, you or your family member will develop healthy and supportive self care routines. If you have ever had to be dependent upon another to complete your own toileting or showers, or you are held hostage by your teenager who still requires you to be the substitute for their lack of executive function and follow through, you know how important this step is to regain or maintain your quality of life and sanity. Your OT/COTA specializes in self care mastery -- a signature of true independence and self reliance.
A Team Approach
We've found that the best approach for conditions like Lyme disease and mold toxicity is to team up with a functional medicine doctor so that we can treat the neurological side while your doctor works with you on a cellular level.
For more information about how Brain Harmony works for Lyme disease and mold toxicity, book a free consultation with us today. We understand the suffering you are experiencing and can help you feel better on a neurological level.
And if you're looking for a functional medicine doctor who specializes in chronic medical conditions, we highly recommend reaching out to Dr. Christine Schaffner for a holistic approach to healing on a cellular level and telehealth appointments!