Lyme Disease Care in Waterloo

In recent years, there have been more and more people concerned about Lyme disease. Some suspect they have it but are unsure and don’t know where to turn. If you would like to learn more about Lyme disease care in Waterloo, start at KW Health Connection.

We’ll order the necessary testing and use our variety of solutions to help you. If you do have Lyme disease, we can prescribe the right options to help you feel better.

Our Experienced Practitioner - Dr. Erika's Credentials

Dr. Erika Holenski is an ILADS-trained Lyme-Literate Naturopathic Doctor (LLND) — one of only a small number of practitioners in the Waterloo-Kitchener region with this specialized designation. ILADS (the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) is the leading organization dedicated to the evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and its co-infections. If you have been struggling to find a provider who understands Lyme disease, you’ve found the right clinic.

Symptoms That May Indicate Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is known as ‘the great imitator’ because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions. Common symptoms include:

Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
Joint pain and swelling — particularly in the knees
Muscle aches and weakness
Neurological symptoms — brain fog, memory issues, tingling or numbness
Flu-like symptoms that come and go
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
Sleep disturbances and mood changes

If you have been tested but received inconclusive results — or been told your symptoms are ‘unexplained’ — Dr. Holenski’s expertise in Lyme testing and co-infection management may provide the answers you’ve been looking for.

The Symptoms of Lyme Disease

In the early stages of the disease, there are signs such as

Rash
Joint and muscle pain
Headaches
Fever
Fatigue

In the later stages of Lyme disease, the symptoms include

Arthritis pain
Cognitive difficulties
Fatigue
Heart problems
Numbness and tingling
Psychiatric symptoms
Sleep disturbance
Vision and hearing problems

The Ticks That Cause Lyme Disease

The most common way to get Lyme disease is from the bite of a black-legged tick that is infected with Lyme disease. There is one type of black-legged tick in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, ixodes scapularis. In the West, it is ixodes pacificus. In addition to Lyme, these ticks also transmit the bacteria Borellia miyamotoi and Borrelia mayonii, which cause illness similar to Lyme disease.

The black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme can be as small as a poppy seed or as large as a sesame seed. They can carry additional infectious bacteria such as ehrlichia, anaplasma, babesia, and possibly bartonella.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m worried about Lyme. What should I discuss with my doctor?

See your doctor to talk about where you live, your activities and travel, which will give an idea of your risk level. If you’ve had symptoms of Lyme disease, be sure to bring them up. If you have recently been bitten, a preventative antibiotic treatment may be beneficial. If you keep the tick that bit you, there can be testing that will reveal whether it was infected with Lyme disease.

Are there certain areas of the world you’re more likely to get Lyme disease?

You can get it anywhere in the world. The ticks that carry Lyme disease are found in tall grass, brushy or wooded areas and may be in rural areas or cities.

How do I know if I have Lyme disease?

The only way to determine whether you have Lyme disease is through a clinical diagnosis. You must have a medical professional that examines you and does the right testing to determine if you have Lyme disease. There is no single factor that is enough to determine if you have it.

What is chronic Lyme disease?

Chronic Lyme disease is a long-standing, active form of infection from any bacteria belonging to the family of Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria has survived despite antibiotic therapy. If a patient has a chronic form of Lyme disease, they require more carefully directed and targeted care.

I’ve heard a lot of controversy about Lyme disease. Why is that?

Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, making it difficult to tell whether a person has it. Since it can spread throughout the body, it is challenging to diagnose and treat it. It can be found anywhere in the world, but the infection may emerge in an area where people and medical providers are unfamiliar with the signs.

Furthermore, there is much disagreement on the best way to treat Lyme disease and how long treatment should continue. The laboratory testing has been marked by past problems with reliability and accuracy, making some unsure about their diagnosis or lack thereof.

Call Now

If you have concerns about your health, we are here to assist you. Contact our team now to discuss treatment for Lyme disease Waterloo!