It is a rather sad state of affairs when the media seem to know so much more about some health concerns than those who are supposed to be the experts.
In one of BC’s largest newspapers today was an article by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen that essentially spat in the face of numerous so called statistics…not to mention my ex-doctor who refused to believe that I should undergo a simple blood test to check for Lyme disease. What was it that Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen said that would cause such venom in my tone? I believe this quote will sum it up nicely:
“Last year, we heard 30,000 people were infected by these tick-borne bacteria.
But this year, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided to actively collect data from a wider array of sources, they found 300,000 people a year are actually diagnosed with Lyme.” (Read the full article here)
Sadly these are numbers derived from US sources. This recent article comes less than a month after another article was published (in the same publication) citing similar quotes from officials at the CDC.
Disturbingly, most Canadian physicians (much like my own ex-doctor) appear blind to the realization that Lyme Disease is a real problem. If 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease occur each year in the US, then I find it impossible to believe that our Canadian health care system is even marginally accurate at reporting just over 250 new cases in 2011 (PHAC). Imagine how many more cases would be diagnosed in Canada if our system utilized more accurate blood testing practices – and even more so if the doctors actually knew a thing or two about Lyme disease in its chronic form…Imagine the possibilities…
Now I know that both Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen are in fact doctors, but they are also media personalities. Dr. Oz, as most will know, is well known for his television show while Dr. Roizen is a bestselling and award winning author. Moreover, these media doctors, although they are great catalysts for propelling information to the masses, can still not be deemed specialists in Lyme disease. In fact, I would say to you kind reader, that they are quite possibly misrepresenting the disease in terms of its implications to those who suffer from its effects. The only physicians I have found to be actively pursuing further knowledge of Lyme Disease and its effects are naturopaths. Thank God for naturopaths…Now if only doctors would get their heads out of you-know-where and wake up to smell the proverbial roses: Lyme Disease is a problem and is not necessarily curable with mere antibiotics taken over 3-4 weeks.
Now that we have a statistically prudent number, even a US number, can we please start focusing on transmission rates and methods? Are all of these new cases from direct contact with infected ticks or are there possibly alternate transmission avenues that could be studied and could help lead to better containment of this terrible disease? I certainly hope that 300,000 is the magic number that prompts the US health authorities to start funding more research into Lyme Disease.
Female blacklegged ticks in various stages of feeding. Note the change in size and colour.
Lyme101 