The Cure for “Listeria Hysteria?” Strengthening Innate Defenses!

All this “Listeria Hysteria” that followed the reports of contaminated cantaloupe reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode. We’re destroying a relatively healthy food by the ton, issuing dire warnings about deadly pathogens, and generally scaring an already scared public, all without taking stock of what’s really going on. I don’t mean to downplay the […]

Diagnosing Lyme Disease: A Simple Point System

Many of the clinical manifestations of Lyme disease are non-specific, constantly shifting, and shared with many other conditions. This makes it very challenging to diagnose accurately. Dr. Joe Burrascano, one of the nation’s leading clinicians focused on Lyme disease, outlines a simple point-based system for making sense of the history, physical exam and symptom patterns.

The Lyme Disease “Rogue’s Gallery”

Borrelia berdorferi takes the rap as the prime cause of Lyme disease, but it seldom works alone. Ticks carry many other pathogens that often co-infect people with Lyme. Here is a line-up of some of the most common co-pathogens and their clinical characteristics.

Shape Shifters, Hidden Accomplices & Nature’s Dirty Needles: Confronting the Challenges of Lyme Disease

There are reasons why Lyme Disease is so difficult to treat: Borrelia bergdorferi, the main pathogen, is one a highly complex shape-shifting organism, and it is only susceptible to treatment during certain phases of it’s life-cycle. Plus, it seldom works alone. Other bugs like Babesia, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella, are common accomplices. Dr. Joe Burrascano, one of the nation’s leading Lyme experts offers diagnostic & therapeutic tips.

Is Herpes A Trigger for Alzheimer’s Disease?

An emerging line of research is implicating the herpes simplex virus and other infectious pathogens as underlying triggers for formation of β-amyloid plaques in the brain, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The possibility that there is an infectious component in the development of Alzheimer’s opens new possibilities for preventing and treating this devastating disorder.

Institute for Functional Medicine Conference To Focus on Challenges of Infectious Disease

Forty years ago, the Surgeon General declared that we’d “won the war on infectious disease.” Unfortunately, we now know that’s not true. Not only have new pathogens arisen since then (HIV, avian flu, Ebola, to name a few), centuries-old ones have morphed into more virulent forms, thanks in large part to overuse of antibiotics and other drugs. The Institute for Functional Medicine’s 20th Anniversary Symposium offers a unique opportunity to learn integrative strategies for meeting the challenges of infectious diseases in the 21st century.

Ginseng Extract Safely Reduces Incidence, Recurrence of Respiratory Infections

A standardized extract of Panax ginseng root (Panax quinquefolium) is proving safe and effective for preventing and ameliorating acute respiratory infections, particularly  among elderly individuals.

Vitamin D3 Gives Mixed Results for Preventing Flu in Schoolchildren

At

a dose of 1,200 IU per day, vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of Influenza A among a cohort of Japanese schoolchildren, but was associated with an increase in incidence of Influenza B, giving no overall advantage in preventing flu-associated illness.

Sinus Cleansing Could Cut Drug Overuse for Sinusitis, URIs

Recurrent sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections account for more than $1 billion in unnecessary and largely useless antibiotic prescriptions annually. This is a major driver of antibiotic resistance. Much of it could be prevented if patients prone to sinus problems, seasonal allergies and respiratory infections routinely practiced sinus irrigation. New updates on the classical Indian neti pot could make this simple self-care practice more appealing to Americans.

Clostridium difficile: How Worried Should We Be?

Clostridium difficile has surpassed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as Microbial Enemy No. 1 in America’s hospitals. This bug can cause severe, often life threatening colitis, is increasingly common and more virulent than it used to be. Overuse of antibiotics is a main driver of the epidemic, and public health leaders are calling on community based physicians to be extremely judicious in their use of antibiotics.