Lyme disease is increasingly being recognized as a complex chronic illness, often tangled up with co-infections and overlapping conditions that make it difficult to pinpoint what’s really going on.

One of the trickiest players in this mix is Babesia. Even though it can come from the same tick bite as Lyme, it’s a separate infection, and it needs its own testing and treatment. Left unaddressed, Babesia can derail recovery, leaving patients with persistent symptoms and few answers.

Dr. Alexis Chesney, a naturopathic physician and Lyme specialist, has just published an article in NDNR (Naturopathic Doctor News & Review) titled “The Diagnosis and Treatment of Babesiosis: A Naturopathic Approach to an Emerging Tick-Borne Disease.”

As she explains, Babesia is a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells. It can cause symptoms ranging from crushing fatigue and night sweats to shortness of breath and heart palpitations. And although it often accompanies Lyme disease, it doesn’t respond to the same treatment. That means that if Babesia isn’t identified and treated properly, you are missing an essential step in your quest to get better.

Dr. Chesney’s article offers:

• A clear explanation of how babesiosis is diagnosed, including which tests are most reliable.
• A look at naturopathic treatment options, including herbs, supplements, and detox strategies.
• A balanced approach that integrates conventional and natural medicine.

You can read the full article here. And if you’re navigating tick-borne illness, consider sharing it with your provider. It might just change the course of your treatment.

TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, President of LymeDisease.org. She is co-author of Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease and of When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent’s Survival Guide. Contact her at dleland@lymedisease.org.