Would you tell a friend or colleague you think she may have an infection that’s almost impossible to cure?
I encountered this situation while driving to a conference in Orlando with a colleague who has been suffering strange and uncomfortable symptoms for many years. I recognized her symptoms as hallmark of a protozoan, parasitic infection called Babesia. It is contracted from bug bites, usually ticks, and infects your blood cells.
Pressure, pressure. I knew what was wrong with her. I can spot Babesia very quickly because my husband has had it for more than 20 years. Tell or don’t tell?
During the ride, she had a severe “hot flash.” She had been told not to worry about this because “it’s just menopause,” which she went through four years ago. She shared many other symptoms (and, FYI, she has allowed me to share her story).
Babesia causes an array of symptoms that change over time. Here are some hallmark symptoms:
Sweats. You might get just forehead droplets, or drench your clothes. This is not a hot flash! The sweats happen any time, especially at night.
Headaches. These often occur in the frontal region, or behind the eye, and you might get diagnosed with a sinus headache, but it’s not.
Air hunger. Often misdiagnosed as a panic attack or asthma, this is seriously frightening. You think you are dying. It may also show up as shortness of breath, or frequent yawning.
Thermal dysregulation. You’re simultaneously hot, clammy and cold. It’s like you can’t get comfortable.
Deja vu.
Insomnia.
Heart palpitations.
A feeling of being drunk, or severe brain fog
Neuropathy.
Visual disturbances and blurry vision.
Tests for Babesia rarely catch it because the species aren’t all detectable. Only the best doctors can spot this and offer you a treatment protocol based upon your symptoms and your history. Have you been exposed to ticks through your pets, picnics or camping trips?
I don’t know of a way to completely eradicate this stealth organism, but I can tell you this: It’s much easier to get better if you know you have it.
Here are some ways to tell:
If you’re dismissed with words like “menopause” or “hot flashes” and are given hormones that don’t eliminate the sweats.
If you are given albuterol for asthma and it doesn’t help that much.
Sleep drugs prescribed for insomnia just make you feel like a zombie.
Heart palpitations? No medication will put your heart back into perfect rhythm for long. And pacemakers mask the underlying infection.
You can treat all these symptoms palliatively, but you will find that they are unresponsive. The discomfort continues. So please make it your goal to reduce Babesia load and open detoxification pathways. Doing this will allow you to enjoy many years of happiness, comfort and a good life.
Due to space considerations, I had to exclude other common symptoms and treatments for Babesia. I’ve written a more comprehensive version of this article on Lyme and Babesia. To receive that, sign up for my newsletter at my website.
This is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Go to SuzyCohen.com.
