NATURAL MEDICINES & FAMILY PRACTICE
David Overton, PA-C
1315 Ruddell Rd. SE Lacey, WA
360-357-8054 website: natmeds.net
Mycoplasma Infections
Mycoplasma is a bacteria with multiple strains that causes many problems. Mycoplasma often overlaps with Chlamydia or ureaplasma infections, which tends to cause similar problems. They’re difficult to treat because they reside within the cells, where antibiotics may not penetrate (often requiring novel approaches). I’m finding these treatable infections cause many common problems. They can be treated without testing. Testing confirms which strains you have and whether your infection has cleared up.
Here are some of the common treatable problems mycoplasma (but also Chlamydia) causes:
• Immune reactions: fatigue, depressed immune and white blood cell functions, auto immune problems
• Circulation: fatigue, poor circulation, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, blood clots, angina, heart strain, enlarged hear, heart failure, heart block and pericarditis
• Neurological: mini strokes, stroke, nerve or brain inflammation, neuropathy, polio-like symptoms, anxiety, depression, others
• ENT: allergies, ear aches & infections, “colds”, sinusitis or sinus problems, sore throats
• Lungs: asthma, bronchitis, lung symptoms, pneumonia
• Digestive: liver and pancreas problems
• Musculoskeletal: fatigue, arthritis, joint aches, muscle aches or symptoms, fibromyalgia
• Genitourinary: bladder and kidney infections, fallopian tube or ovarian infections, prostate or testicular infections. Ureaplasma infections also cause these problems.
• Skin: rashes and skin inflammation
• Red cells: anemia, bone marrow suppression, abnormal platelets, bruising, clots
How can these infections cause so many problems?
• They can depress immune and white cell functions. This means you may not have classic symptoms and often need immune support treatments
• They often overlap with viral infections, requiring anti-viral treatments
• They may not have any visible findings on physical exams so are best diagnosed and managed with lab tests, which most clinicians do not order.
• They are not detected with standard blood tests, scans or X rays and require antibody or urine PCR tests.
• Most clinicians were only trained to diagnose and manage specific problems, such as walking pneumonia or Chlamydia genitalis (the sexually transmitted strain).
• Antibiotics often beat down the levels, but the infection comes back, sometimes in different forms. Examples include:
o recurrent sinus or ear infections or allergies
o bronchitis or pneumonia transforming into asthma
o Sinus, bronchial or genital & urinary infections later becoming chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.
• Antibiotics often cause viral infections that may need treatment.
There are 20 strains of mycoplasma and 3 strains of Chlamydia:
• Chlamydia pneumonia: often causes sinus, ear, nose, throat and lung problems and is well researched to cause circulation problems, heart disease and many things listed above.
• Chlamydia psittaci: causes lung problems
• Chlamydia trachomatis: causes genital and urinary problems in males and females
• Mycoplasma pneumonia may cause everything listed above
• Mycoplasma genitalis and hominis: causes genital, urinary and many gynecological problems
• Mycoplasma fermentans: causes chronic fatigue, muscle aches and pains and is linked to fibromyalgia and Gulf War syndrome
If you think you have these problems work with a clinician experienced in these and viral infections who can offer solutions and alternative treatments.
I recommend you go to CPHELP.org for more information on these infections.
David Overton, PA-C works at Natural Medicines & Family Practice providing integrated conventional and alternative care under the supervision of Dr. Richard Faiola, MD, ABFM. 360-357-8054.