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Exploring the Potential Link: Congenital Lyme Disease and Autism

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Congenital Lyme Disease and Autism: One such intriguing area of study is the potential link between congenital Lyme disease and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Let’s unlock valuable insights into both Lyme disease and autism, shaping future approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

The Basics of Congenital Lyme Disease:

Congenital Lyme disease arises when a Bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted from an infected mother to her unborn child. This transmission occurs through the placenta, raising questions about the potential impact on fetal development, particularly in relation to the nervous system.

Lyme-Autism Connection:

The symptoms of Lyme disease are diverse, encompassing joint pain, fatigue, and neurological issues. Researchers hypothesize that the inflammatory response triggered by the bacterium may play a role in neurodevelopmental disruptions.

Research Findings and Controversies of Congenital Lyme Disease:

More extensive research to establish a definitive link. As controversies persist, researchers are diligently working to unravel the complexities of these conditions.

Prenatal Care and Tick Prevention:

Comprehensive prenatal care and tick prevention measures cannot be overstated. Expectant mothers should be particularly vigilant about tick exposure to minimize the risk of transmission to their unborn children. Appropriate treatment of Lyme disease during pregnancy may also play a crucial role in mitigating potential risks.

The Road Ahead:

Our path forward involves continued research, collaboration, and a commitment to unraveling the complexities of these conditions. A deeper understanding of these links could pave the way for improved preventive strategies, early interventions, and ultimately, enhanced well-being for affected individuals.

Exploration of connections between congenital Lyme disease and autism offers a glimpse into the complexity of our health. The ongoing efforts to uncover the relationship hold promise for advancing our understanding of both conditions and, ultimately, improving the lives of those affected.

Welcome to Serenity Healthcare Center – Your Partner in Wellness! We are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive healthcare services. From personalized treatments to cutting-edge medical solutions, our dedicated team is here to guide you on your journey to optimal health. Discover a path to well-being with Serenity Healthcare Center. Schedule your appointment today and experience the difference firsthand. Your health, our priority!

Defining ADD, ADHD and Autism

How are practitioners defining ADD, ADHD and autism?

Defining ADD, ADHD and AutismIt’s helpful for people to understand how practitioners are defining ADD, ADHD and autism. First, focus on the similarities. All of these conditions may cause someone to be overly active or impulsive. They may also have difficulties interacting with people. In fact, people can be diagnosed with both ADHD and autism.

Autism is often confused in the early years with ADHD. At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we make every attempt to ensure that we make the correct diagnosis so we do not miss someone who is on the autism spectrum.

Defining ADD, ADHD and autism—what patients need to know

The first thing to know about defining ADD, ADHD and autism is while the public still uses the term ADD, medical practitioners generally do not. Today, ADD, or attention-deficit disorder, is defined as one of the three types of ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Inattentive only—the type of ADHD the public sometimes refers to as ADD. People with this form of ADHD are not hyperactive, but have an attention-deficit issue.

Hyperactive/impulsive—People with this type are hyperactive and impulsive, but they don’t have an issue with attention deficit. Since this type is uncommon, most people don’t know about it, but it’s important to know when defining ADD, ADHD and autism.

Combined inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive—People with this type of ADHD exhibit all three of these characteristics. This is the type most people think of as ADHD.

An autism diagnosis may or may not share characteristics of ADHD

The National Autism Association defines autism as a neurological disorder characterized by social and cognitive impairments, communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors.

Symptoms on the autism spectrum may be mild or extremely severe. Some common symptoms include:

  • Non-responsive behavior
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Difficulty understanding their own feelings, or the feelings of others
  • Problems with social skills

Understanding how practitioners are defining ADD, ADHD and autism is especially important for parents because early diagnosis and treatment are very helpful.

Our functional medical clinic near Milwaukee treats ADHD and autism

Greg Brown, M.D., our board-certified internist and experienced practitioner, takes a biomedical and functional approach to treating ADHD disorders. He also offers an integrative medical approach for people with autism with our Autism Care program. Contact us for an appointment.

Underlying Medical Issues and Autism

Underlying Medical Issues & Autism

At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we take an integrative approach to diagnosing and helping patients on the autism spectrum, which includes addressing underlying medical issues and autism. Patients of all ages benefit from treatments that Dr. Greg Brown, our board-certified internist, provides for medical issues.

Addressing underlying medical issues and autism is part of our approach

People on the autism spectrum frequently experience co-existing medical conditions at a higher rate than those who aren’t on the spectrum. These issues include:

  • Epilepsy
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • ADHD disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia

  • Issues involving eating and feeding
  • Chronic pain
  • Problems with immune regulation
  • Eczema and rashes
  • Behavioral problems

It’s very important to deal with underlying medical issues and autism in an integrative treatment setting. At our functional medicine clinic, we combine a medical approach with holistic treatments such as supplements and dietary changes, along with alternative therapies to treat the whole person.

We vary our approach to meet the individual needs of the patient.

Underlying medical issues can impact a child’s development or adult’s behavior

Conventional medicine doesn’t always recognize that underlying medical issues and autism can negatively impact a child’s development and an adult’s behavior and skills. For example, adrenal and thyroid issues can affect a child’s language, motor function, socialization skills and more. In addition, mitochondrial diseases need to be considered. The organization Autism Speaks believes that “…around 5 to 10 percent of children with autism have mitochondrial dysfunction as the underlying cause of their symptoms.”1

Yeast is another subject that involves underlying medical issues and autism. Conventional medicine often fails to see the connection between untreated yeast, primarily Candida albicans, and how it affects those on the autism spectrum. Untreated yeast leads to stomach pain and other problems. Children or adults who have problems communicating may not be able to describe their pain adequately, and that can lead to behavioral issues.

Detoxification and autism

Another difference between our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee and conventional medical centers is our detoxification program. Underlying medical issues and autism that may require detoxification may be caused by exposure to heavy metals, lead, pica and organic toxins. We provide therapies such as chelation therapy to rid the body of toxins.

People with underlying medical issues and autism should consider seeing our experienced team. Our approach is about people, not symptoms, and our goal is to improve each individual’s quality of life.

Contact us for an appointment.

1 https://www.autismspeaks.org

The Microbiome and Autism

The Microbiome & Autism

At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we understand the important relationship that exists between the microbiome and autism. Researchers are conducting studies to determine how the state of the microbiome affects people with autism. Evidence has come to two conclusions about the microbiome and autism:

  1. There is a potential relationship between intestinal microbes and autism, indicating that this relationship may even increase symptoms or be the cause of certain symptoms.1
  2. “Research suggests that as many as 9 out of 10 individuals with the condition also suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease and leaky gut.”2

Additional research is needed and is being conducted; however, in the meantime, we check our patients for gastrointestinal problems and treat them with herbal supplements and antibiotics if necessary.

Understanding the microbiome and autism

It’s helpful to understand the microbiome and autism. The microbiome is comprised of 100 trillion microbial cells that inhabit the body. The microbial cells in the human gut are also known as “gut flora,” and they are responsible for several important functions in the body, including:

  • Absorption and breakdown of nutrients
  • Producing vitamins
  • Protecting the body against pathogens
  • Helping balances the immune system

1,2 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-bacteria-may-play-a-role-in-autism/

We work to balance the microbiome

At our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee, we believe that the relationship between the microbiome and autism is important. As part of our biomedical intervention for any underlying medical issues that people with autism may have, we test for gastrointestinal imbalances. We attack the problem in different ways, including:

  • Specific dietary changes
  • Herbal supplements
  • Antibiotics, if necessary

Another problem we address is yeast overgrowth, or candidiasis, which is related to the microbiome and autism. To have a healthy gut, people need to have a good balance between yeast and good bacteria, but yeast overgrowth is a problem for many people with autism. Conventional medicine practitioners often ignore this problem. At our clinic, we attack yeast with a three-pronged approach that gets rid of yeast already in the colon; limits sources that provide yeast to the diet; and restores beneficial bacteria in the colon.

Patients with autism benefit from our Autism Care program

In addition to addressing the microbiome and autism, our Autism Care program focuses on the whole patient, not just a series of symptoms. We check for toxins, yeast, imbalances in the gastrointestinal system, thyroid issues, and mitochondrial and adrenal issues. In short, we perform tests and examine patients to discover any underlying medical issues.

If you are looking for a complete, personal approach to autism, contact us.