Recent and Upcoming Events:

• February 10: 7:00 PM, "Family Health & Wellness Program". Admission is FREE - Click here to register

• January 9, 2010: New Year's Group Cleanse began. Click here for details.
• Dr. Pfeiffer will be attended a seminar on Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in November.
• Dr. Pfeiffer has been invited to sit on the Palmer College of Chiropractic Homecoming Committee.
• Dr. Pfeiffer was invited to speak to a group of health conscious individuals at the St. John's Health Fair.
• December 4 - 6: Dr. Pfeiffer attended the Ulan Nutritional 2009 Symposium in Clearwater, FL.

LYME DISEASE - continued

      It never ceases to amaze me that there are Doctors out there in this 21st century who still don't believe that a chronic Lyme infection exists.

     Lyme disease is something (like many other "diseases") which 20 to 25 years ago received little or no press coverage. Today however, at least here on the east coast, you hear about or read about someone who has contracted this devastating disorder/disease. Yes, I'm using that word ("Disease"). It isn't often that I use that term, but in this case it definitely applies. This devastating condition as you will see in the trailer of the movie "Under Our Skin"  (better yet watch the entire movie) , often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed.

     You have probably had many friends or relatives who were diagnosed after seeing the classic bulls-eye patch and having a blood test. They received the typical antibiotic therapy and lived happily ever after. They may have been the lucky ones. You see not only is Lyme disease often not diagnosed, it is often misdiagnosed. The classic sign (the Bulls-Eye patch) a red and often hot area around the site of the inoculation or bite site, doesn't occur in 13% of those individuals who are diagnosed with the condition, according to a new study by John Aucott M.D. of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Aucott also found that of those not presenting with the rash 54% had been previously misdiagnosed. It has also been demonstrated in another study that in 66% of diagnosed Lyme cases another invader was found. This "little guy" evidently gains access to the person's body in the same way that the bacterium causing Lyme does. That is through skin via a tick bite. This other little guy is not a bacterium however. No, in fact it is a "protozoa". Perhaps that is a bit too technical.  Let's regroup on that one, because it is an important one. So you see 66% of those who are diagnosed actually have a dual infection. The second invader is none other than a "Parasite". Ah hah, that could explain a lot of the symptoms that folks with a "Chronic Lyme" infection experience. Things such as "Chronic Fatigue", weight loss, lack of energy, etc.

      I have to tell you that I have seen literally hundreds of patients over the years who have suffered from the effects of Lyme disease at various stages. I have always tried to be overly cautious in my assessment and diagnosis of their condition because I would much rather be wrong in my suspicion about the possibility that the patient could have Lyme, than to miss it.

     Here is the major problem that I have seen in the past with patients who had been to another doctor for the signs and symptoms associated with Lyme disease. As I said the Classic Bulls-Eye rash doesn't always show up. In fact it either often doesn't show up or has already faded by the time you go to the doctor. Many doctors rely too heavily on that one sign to make the diagnosis. That plays into problem number 2. That a complete history is not taken. Sometimes this is because the doctor is pressed for time. You see it is important that your doctor ask if you have been hiking, camping, or hunting recently. He or she should ask you if you live in or near wooded areas. These elements of a good case history are very important. It is also important to ask if you have recently been taking any over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, Advil, or even aspirin. Aspirin is often prescribed as a blood thinner by General Practioners and Cardiologists. This multi-functional drug is taken like candy by millions of Americans. All of these drugs can cover up the early and even late signs and symptoms of Lyme disease like joint pain and swelling.

     Testing for Lyme disease is the other problem. The standard first round test is the ELISA test for Lyme. This test is only 65% sensitive. By definition a screening test should be 95% sensitive. Unfortunately this means there are a lot of "False Positive" tests. This means that patients who test positive actually don't have Lyme. The next test that is normally performed is the "Western Blot" test. The unfortunate thing about this test is that it also has a sensitivity similar to the first line ELISA test.

     Now you can see why many individuals (I have seen and treated them) are misdiagnosed. That is also why patients end up like those in the film "Under Our Skin". My goal in treating these patients is to reduce their "Immune Burden", and bolster their own "Immune System Function".

     Your goal must be to take responsibility for your health, and your health care. You must be your own advocate. Don't give up if you do not think that you are being treated accurately or appropriately. Seek out individuals who will keep exploring until they find the answer for you.

     Another thing to remember is that you must, as I emphasized in my 'Swine Flu

" series of articles, strengthen your Immune System! "How do you do this" you might ask? You know what I'm going to say to that one; "You must "Eat Right", "Think Right", "Move Right", and "Sleep Right"

 Onto the next article

THINK RIGHT - continued

     Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

     Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

     About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

     The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

     And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

     The moral of this story from our "Think Right" perspective is that we must always "Clean Our Windows" before we comment on others. It is not our place to "Judge" others; it is our place to "Help Others".

     The other thing that I would like to remind our Inner Health Circle Members is something that I instilled in my sons on every occasion that it was appropriate, and that is that you must always remember to "Think Twice Before Opening Your Mouth Once!

 Onto the next article

Copyright 2009, Upper Perkiomen Chiropractic Center. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Upper Perkiomen Chiropractic Center.

DISCLAIMER
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Always consult with your health care professional before changing any medications or undertaking intense physical activity.
 
This email has been sent on behalf of your practitioner, Dr. Douglas G Pfeiffer DC   |   Center for Nutrition and Wellness   |215-679-WELL (9355)