Have you ever felt like your stomach is in chaos – as if nothing feels right, doctors can’t find a clear cause, and your symptoms don’t seem logical? You are not alone. Many patients have told me that they have tried everything – probiotics, elimination diets, gastrointestinal testing – but their lab results were normal and they did not get answers to their questions. That’s when I start digging deeper. For many patients, the root cause of their gut problems lies in an unexpected source: Lyme disease.
We know that Lyme disease can affect the joints, brain and heart. But what many people – even some doctors – don’t know is that the disease can affect the nervous system, especially the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This is the centre that controls all automatic bodily functions: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature – and yes, digestion too.
What happens when Lyme disease reaches the nervous system?
The Lyme disease pathogen, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, does not just remain in the bloodstream. It can penetrate tissues and nerves, and when it reaches the autonomic nervous system, the signals that control all processes smoothly are disrupted.
When this happens, patients with Lyme disease may develop dysautonomia, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. A common symptom? Disproportionately severe intestinal problems compared to the test results.
Doctors have observed the following in their practice:
- Gastroparesis: Food remains in the stomach for too long, causing bloating and nausea.
- IBS-like symptoms: Alternating diarrhoea and constipation, often for no apparent reason.
- Low stomach acid: Leads to digestive problems, malabsorption and loss of appetite.
- Nutrient deficiency: Even with a good diet, patients may develop deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals.
- Weight loss or weight gain: as a result of poor absorption or slow metabolism.
Lyme disease and the digestive system: one patient’s story
A young woman visited three different gastroenterologists before seeing a doctor. She was constantly tired, felt bloated after every meal, and described her digestive system as “frozen”. She tried everything, from a high-FODMAP diet to various dietary supplements. But nothing helped.
What was striking was that she wasn’t just complaining about intestinal symptoms. She also mentioned brain fog, dizziness when standing, and that she had previously been hiking in the Hudson Valley. Her serology test for Lyme disease was “borderline,” so it was dismissed. But when they dug deeper, her medical history and symptoms clearly pointed to Lyme disease and autonomic involvement.
They began treatment for Lyme disease, and her digestion slowly began to improve. Her bowel movements returned to normal. Her bloating subsided. Her body began to absorb nutrients properly again, and she finally felt well enough to enjoy her meals without discomfort.
Why is this important?
Too often, these cases are misdiagnosed as “just anxiety” or “stress-related IBS”. However, Lyme disease can mimic or trigger these conditions by disrupting the nerves that control bowel function. If a patient has bowel problems but everything else is fine, don’t forget to consider Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is often a clinical diagnosis, which means that treatment is based not only on laboratory tests but also on the patient’s medical history and symptoms.
Hope for recovery
Recovery takes time, especially if Lyme disease has affected the nervous system. But a full recovery is possible. When the underlying infection is treated and the nervous system is supported, patients often experience significant improvement – not only in their bowel function, but also in their energy levels, concentration and overall quality of life.
Source: https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-gut/
For more information on Lyme disease testing: https://dualdur.com
Further information on gut flora testing: Microbiome / gut flora testing – Nutritest.eu
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
