A tick can be smaller than a poppy seed, a lab can read “normal,” and you can still feel like your body is on fire. I sit down with Dr. Jaquel Patterson, a nationally recognized naturopathic and functional medicine physician and founder of Fairfield Family Health, to unpack the real-world links between infections, Lyme disease, and chronic inflammation, especially for people who’ve been told they’re fine while they’re clearly not.

We talk through why chronic infections can mimic autoimmune disease, what “molecular mimicry” means in plain language, and why Lyme earns the nickname “the great imitator.” Dr. Patterson breaks down common myths about tick bites, why false-negative Lyme tests happen, how co-infections like Babesia and Bartonella complicate symptoms, and what red flags to watch for like migrating joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, ringing ears, tingling sensations, brain fog, and sudden-onset anxiety. We also get practical about labs that often get overlooked: ferritin and iron status, vitamin D, hormones, and nutrient deficiencies that can worsen inflammation and recovery.
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About our Guest:
Dr. Jaquel Patterson, ND, MBA, a nationally recognized leader in naturopathic and functional medicine. She is the founder of Fairfield Family Health, a multidisciplinary medical practice in Connecticut, and has over 16 years of clinical experience specializing in Lyme disease, autoimmune and complex chronic illness, integrative psychiatry, and environmental medicine.

Dr. Patterson serves as President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and is certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). A sought-after speaker and three-time Amazon bestselling author, her expertise has been featured in major media outlets including Forbes, USA Today, and national television networks.

Follow Dr. Patterson on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/naturopathic.physician/
Website: http://fairfieldfamilyhealth.com

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM® has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


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