The ticks are now out in full force now that spring is here. As you may know, Lyme disease — caused by small infected deer ticks — is one the fastest spreading infectious diseases in the United States today, with some 200,000-plus people stricken each year, according to the CDC. Millions of Americans have been debilitated by this insidious, often-misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed illness. An infected tick—which frequents grassy or wooded areas—attaches itself to your skin, feeds on your blood and then infects you, often without your knowing it.
Many famous people have fallen prey to Lyme disease, including President Bush, former New York Gov. George Pataki and former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman; authors Rebecca Wells (“Ya-Ya” novels), Alice Walker (“The Color Purple”) and Amy Tan (“The Joy Luck Club”); actors Richard Gere and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”); singers Daryl Hall (of Hall and Oats) and Pete Seeger; and athletes such as golfer Tim Simpson and baseball player Pete Harnisch (New York Mets).
“Lyme disease is so insidious and so often misdiagnosed that I want to help people worldwide learn how to prevent, identify, treat and overcome it,” says Gab With The Gurus Radio Show host Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C., a journalist, certified health counselor, life coach and author of the book Sugar Shock! (Berkley Books).
“My interest in this subject began recently, because I was diagnosed with Lyme disease after suffering from crippling headaches, overpowering fatigue and disorienting memory lapses,” adds Bennett, who is now taking antibiotics, herbs and supplements to overcome the illness.
“I wonder if an infected tick took to me while I was sitting listening to music in Central Park in New York City, riding my bike on one of my long rides or visiting the outskirts of Washington, D.C.”
During the hour-long Gab With The Gurus Radio Show, Bennett interviews a panel of esteemed experts, including:
- Science journalist Pamela Weintraub, author of the eye-opening new book, “Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic”
- Acclaimed author Rebecca Wells of “Ya-Ya Sisterhood” fame (who will discuss her heart-wrenching ordeal with Lyme disease).
- Patricia (Pat) Smith, president of the national National Lyme Disease Association, which is dedicated to Lyme disease education, prevention and research.
- Bernard D. Raxlen, M.D., known for his treatment of Lyme Disease as a complex infectious-neuro-immune phenomenon.
- Steven J. Bock, M.D., acclaimed for his complementary approach towards Lyme disease.
- Dr. Qingcai Zhang, recognized for his Chinese medicine approach, acupuncture and herbs in treating Lyme disease.
- Kris Newby, senior producer of the eye-opening, new documentary, “Under Our Skin: The Untold Story of Lyme Disease.”
During this show, you’ll get answers to such questions as:
- Where can you get Lyme disease?
- How can you prevent it?
- How many people have it?
- How do you recognize it? (What are the symptoms?)
- How do you find a Lyme-literate doctor?
- Why are so many people misdiagnosed?
- What tests will identify Lyme disease? How accurate are they?
- How do you treat the disease?
- Why is Lyme disease controversial?
- Are antibiotics necessary?
- Can natural treatments help?
In addition, the “gurus” Pamela Weintraub, Rebecca Wells, Pat Smith, Dr. Bernard D. Raxlen, Dr. Steven J. Bock, Dr. Qingcai Zhang and Kris Newby will explain why Lyme disease is known as the “Great Imitator.”
Learn on the Gab With the Gurus Show about Lyme disease symptoms that befuddle doctors and keep them from properly diagnosing patients. These ailments include:
- A large, circular, red rash where a tick attached to your skin (but not everyone experiences this and only 50 to 70 percent of people remember being bitten by a tick)
- Excessive fatigue
- Horrific headaches
- Sleep disturbances (too much or little, insomnia, napping during the day and waking up early)
- Poor stamina
- Confusion, poor concentration, forgetfulness and memory loss
- Disorientation & getting lost (going to the wrong places)
- Difficulty thinking and concentrating
- Mood swings, depression and irritability (plus, what insiders call “Lyme rage”)
- Lightheadedness, dizziness and vertigo
- Unexplained fevers, night sweats, chills or hot flashes
- Swollen glands and sore throat
- Motion sickness and vertigo
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea or queasy stomach
- Blurry vision and floaters
- Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
- Stiff neck
- Migrating arthralgias (pain in joints), stiffness and arthritis
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Chest pain and palpitations
- Seizures
- Menstrual irregularity
- Abdominal and back pain
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Loss of libido or sexual dysfunction
- Shortness of breath or coughing
- Heart palpitations and pulse skips
- Joint and muscle pain or cramps
- Facial twitching
- Unexplained hair loss
- Back, chest or jaw pain
- Blurred vision and eye pain
- Testicular or pelvic pain
- Ear pain and tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears)
- Cranial nerve disturbance ( facial numbness, pain, tingling, palsy or optic neuritis)