TryGOLD- Free

IT'S NOT JUST LYME
Prevention US|August 2023
The number of biting ticks is on the rise, along with rates of the diseases they carry. Here's what you need to know.
- JEANNE ERDMANN
IT'S NOT JUST LYME

Late one night in January 2018, Nikki Smith, 39, was lying in bed watching television when suddenly her chest hurt, her blood pressure plummeted, and she thought she was going to pass out. Scared for her life, she went with her husband to the ER, where a battery of tests ruled out heart problems. She was sent home with advice to try to lower her stress level.

Smith, a retail manager in Kentucky, went through this several times over the next two years-doctors blamed stress and eventually diagnosed her with a panic disorder. But Smith was also plagued by a variety of gastrointestinal problems, which her doctors believed were due to complications from gallbladder surgery. Her symptoms, she says, had "no apparent triggers or rhyme or reason." Antidepressants didn't help.

Meanwhile, her seasonal allergies worsened, and one ear began to fill with fluid that felt as if it was constantly moving. Allergy tests turned up sensitivities to beef, pork, lamb, and cow's milk. Smith was surprised because she'd eaten these without incident for decades and hadn't experienced hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing, symptoms typically linked to food allergies. She left with a list of foods to avoid and a prescription for an EpiPen.

Finally, in May 2021, Smith visited a new gynecologist and mentioned her newfound allergies. The doctor suspected alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergy to red meat and anything containing mammalian products that is linked to, of all things, tick bites. Smith lives in a heavily wooded area. "I probably had three tick bites the summer before that January," she says. Her test for AGS came back positive.

LYME, HOLD MY BEER

This story is from the August 2023 edition of Prevention US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2023 edition of Prevention US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PREVENTION USView All
I Know When My Kidneys Are Going to Fail
Prevention US

I Know When My Kidneys Are Going to Fail

A physical therapist was shocked to learn that for her, these crucial organs had an expiration date. With proactive care, she intends to extend it.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2025
Cholesterol Confusion
Prevention US

Cholesterol Confusion

Social media is abuzz with bewildering (and even worrisome) theories about cholesterol and the medications used to lower it. We sort out what’s truth, what’s error, and what’s conspiracy to help you keep your heart healthy and strong.

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2025
THE DOCTOR IS IN Curious About Taking Testosterone?
Prevention US

THE DOCTOR IS IN Curious About Taking Testosterone?

You may be hearing about women using this hormone— here's what we know (and what we don't).

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
GUT-FRIENDLY GOODIES
Prevention US

GUT-FRIENDLY GOODIES

For a healthy microbiome, these delicious foods deliver.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2025
5 MYTHS ABOUT FRIDGE FOOD SAFETY
Prevention US

5 MYTHS ABOUT FRIDGE FOOD SAFETY

Nothing chills table talk like a bite of spoiled food or past-its-prime produce. Keep your knowledge fresh by tossing these myths.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2025
WHAT'S UP WITH ...MUSCLE FLUTTERS
Prevention US

WHAT'S UP WITH ...MUSCLE FLUTTERS

Experts explain why you sometimes get little twitches under your skin.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2025
Love That Natural Look
Prevention US

Love That Natural Look

A beauty pro's guide to no-makeup makeup

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2025
TEST YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGY SMARTS
Prevention US

TEST YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGY SMARTS

CIRCLE THE BEST OPTΙΟΝ.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2025
FEEL BETTER, LONGER
Prevention US

FEEL BETTER, LONGER

You are far more than the sum of your body parts, but keeping those parts working properly is key to staying active and pain-free well into older age.Give them a quick checkup and the TLC they need. Here's how.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2025
COZY CHOCO-LOVE!
Prevention US

COZY CHOCO-LOVE!

This craveable treat, when eaten the right way, really does help your health.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more