Howell Health Solutions

11/17/2025

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After more than 50 years, the CDC has finally recognized what Lyme patients have been saying for decades: persistent symptoms after Lyme infection are real, medically significant, and now officially part of the federal framework for Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions and Illnesses (IACCIs).

In its new Emerging Infectious Diseases supplement, the CDC states:

“Suspected mechanisms include continued immune stimulation from antigens or continued infection in a sequestered body site that cannot be sampled… autoimmune responses, microbiome dysbiosis, persistent tissue damage, disordered coagulation, and disrupted nerve signaling.“

“Chronic sequalae considered IACCIs include various combinations of infection-associated organ damage, autoimmune conditions, and persistent unexplained systemic symptoms, such as debilitating fatigue, postexertional malaise, cognitive impairment, musculoskeletal pain, and sleep disorders.“

For anyone living with chronic Lyme symptoms, this acknowledgment is monumental.

This moment is also deeply connected to Col. Nicole Malachowski, who served as the sole patient representative on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee that produced the landmark Lyme IACCI report — the same report cited by the CDC in this publication.

Her leadership helped push the science forward, ensure the patient voice was heard, and open the door to federal recognition of chronic Lyme.

We spoke with Col. Malachowski about this historic shift during Episode 538 of Tick Boot Camp, recorded live at NYFW Project Lab Coat — the first fashion-week runway dedicated to Lyme awareness and research.

This is history.
This is progress.
This is just the beginning.

🎧 Episode 538: NYFW Project Lab Coat – Col. Nicole Malachowski on Lyme IACI and the National Academies Report on Chronic Lyme Disease

🔗 Listen on Tick Boot Camp: https://tickbootcamp.com/episode-540-nyfw-project-lab-coat-col-nicole-malachowski-on-lyme-iaci-and-the-national-academies-report-on-chronic-lyme-disease/

CDC Article: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/14/25-1187_article

11/26/2024

✨NYS PRI/Screen: Your first step to accessing state-funded healthcare services in New York!✨

The NYS PRI (Patient Review Instrument) and Screening are tools used to assess eligibility for long-term care services in New York State. They help determine the level of care you or a loved one might need, ensuring you get the right support.

Whether you’re applying for nursing home care or community-based services, these assessments are essential in guiding your care journey 🫶

📖 Want to learn more? Visit our blog at the link below for a detailed guide or reach out to us with any questions — we’re here to help!

🔗 https://www.howellhealthandwellness.com/post/understanding-nys-pri-screen-assessments-what-you-need-to-know

06/11/2024

Isn’t it fascinating how our hearts can hold opposing emotions simultaneously?? In one moment, we may feel the weight of sorrow, yet find solace in the warmth of cherished memories. It’s the intricate dance of joy and sadness, love and longing, reminding us of the depth and complexity of the human experience. Embracing these contradictions, we learn to navigate life’s twists and turns with grace and resilience 🌟

Here are 5 practical tips to flow with opposing emotions in a healthy way:

🌟 Acknowledge and Accept: Recognize that it’s okay to feel conflicting emotions. Embrace the complexity of your feelings without judgment or pressure to “pick a side.”

✨ Practice Mindfulness: Stay present in the moment and observe your emotions without getting swept away by them. Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help you stay grounded.

🌟Express Yourself: Find healthy outlets to express your emotions, whether it’s journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or engaging in creative activities like art or music.

✨Seek Balance: Focus on self-care activities that nurture both your physical and emotional well-being. This could include exercise, spending time in nature, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.

🌟Cultivate Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during times of emotional turmoil. Offer yourself the same kindness and understanding you would to a friend facing similar struggles.

🔖Remember, it’s perfectly normal to experience opposing emotions, and learning to navigate them with compassion and self-care is a powerful skill on the journey to emotional well-being 💖

11/28/2023

Researchers documented three cows in Ohio killed by Asian longhorned ticks, which can lay up to 2,000 eggs without needing to mate

10/11/2023

Many people find relief in the use of herbal antimicrobials when learning to live with tick-borne infections. One of the main benefits of using herbal versus pharmaceutical antimicrobials is that the herbals are less cytotoxic. Meaning they don’t harm your cells as much as the pharmaceuticals do, since you are also taking in the protective factors of the whole herb.

Below are some of the antimicrobial herbs that are commonly used for treating chronic tick-borne infections, along with their benefits:

🪴Andrographis - It helps reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.

🌿Japanese Knotweed - It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and it also helps in reducing inflammation.

🐱 Cat’s Claw - It is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.

🧄 Garlic - It has antimicrobial properties and helps improve the immune system.

🌱Cryptolepis - It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and it also helps in reducing inflammation.

Learning to live with Lyme and its’s co-infections can be a beast, but in time (like everything else in life) it becomes easier and doable 💛

09/29/2023

Persistent Lyme infections are a deep and real struggle for many people and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. If you’re going through this, know that you’re not alone and that options are available to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life!

This list of symptoms only scrapes the surface of what persistent Lyme may look like in an infected individual.

If you’ve struggled with Lyme and it’s co-infection symptoms for a long time, you know what it’s like to live with this invisible chronic illness. And if you need support, reach out! I’m here to help 💛

09/20/2023

Do you ever feel stuck in life and you are not sure where to even begin making change?? Here are five points of inspiration for those who feel stuck in their life:

1️⃣Set small achievable goals for yourself and work towards them consistently. Progress, no matter how small, will boost your confidence and motivate you to keep going.
2️⃣Seek guidance and support from a mentor, coach, or therapist. Having someone to talk to and guide you through life's challenges can be extremely helpful.
3️⃣Step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. This could be a new hobby, activity, or even a new career path. Taking risks and trying new things can help you discover your passions and purpose.
4️⃣Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of your life. This can help shift your mindset and bring more joy and fulfillment into your daily life.
5️⃣Take care of your physical and mental health. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking time to relax and recharge. When you feel your best physically and mentally, you'll be better equipped to tackle life's challenges.

✨As always, aim for progress over perfection✨

06/29/2023

🌱Acute Lyme can be much more than the average bullseye rash and joint pain. Many infected individuals often show symptoms that are not typical, oftentimes misdiagnosed as being something else.

🍃Most individuals infected don't recall being bitten by a tick, which is one of the many reasons why it is important for medical professionals and patients to be aware of the possible signs and symptoms of acute Borrelia, or Lyme.

Which of the symptoms surprised you as being related to Acute Lyme?? 💛