How Candidiasis Can Mimic Lyme Disease and Be Seriously Misdiagnosed

In one study, published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers examined 788 patient previously diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Lyme disease is usually contracted by getting a tick bite. Out of all the patients examined, only 23 percent actually had active cases of the disease. Another 20 percent had previous cases of the disease but at the time we experiencing other conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. That leaves 57 percent of patients who did not have Lyme Disease at all.

So what, pray tell, was the problem? Candidiasis: the chameleon disease. Candidiasis is the systematic overgrowth of the ever-present yeast, Candida Albicans, through out the body. This disease causes a huge list of symptoms, some of which mimic Lyme Disease nearly to the tee. Some of the these symptoms include fatigue, headache, depression, joint pains, fibromyalgia, abdominal pains, insomnia, rashes, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, and difficulty concentrating. Just like those actually with Lyme Disease.

Candida is present in or on everyones body, but it is usually confined to the large intestine. However, when an over growth takes place everything is thrown out of whack. How does this happen? The typical suspects are usually steroid drugs, birth control pills, and hormone therapy. These substances alter the natural state of your intestinal flora, allowing the yeasts to proliferate. But probably the worst offender of this is the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are indiscriminate. They kill both the 'good' and the bad bacteria. As strange as it may sound, our bodies need good bacteria to function properly. Without the good bacteria, Candida Albicans can establish colonies outside of the intestines. Each cell has what's called germination tubes that hold yeast spores, which burst out of the tubes and spread throughout your body when they reach maturity. These yeast spore feed on sugar and carbohydrates. It is believed that the long term effects of Antibiotic use can last months if not years down the road.