Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Lyme Disease

Description

Lyme disease was named after Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was discovered. The disease is spread by ticks, though only a few species of ticks carry the bacterial organism that causes Lyme disease. One species is the deer tick, or black-legged tick, which lives in the Northeast Southern, and Midwestern United States. Another is the Western black-legged tick, which inhabits the Pacific coastal states. Victims rarely feel the insect's bite because it injects an anesthetic (which numbs the area of skin) both when it punctures the skin and when it withdraws. Many experts believe that the tick must be attached to the body for at least 24 hours for infection to occur.

The first symptoms of Lyme disease appear anywhere from 3 to 32 days after infection. One of the most recognizable early signs is a circular, red "bull's-eye" rash at the site of the bite (though the rash does not appear in many cases). In its initial stages, other symptoms of the illness resemble those of the fluintermittent fatigue, fever, nausea, headache, and chills. If the condition is not treated in its early stages, serious secondary symptoms can occur weeks or months later. These include arthritis, joint disability, muscle problems, and heart, nervous system, and even brain disorders.

Signs and Symptoms

Circular "bulls eye" rash, often with a red border and clear center, at the site of a tick bite

Headache

Fever and chills

Body aches

Sore throat

Joint pain and inflammation

Fatigue

Loss of mental acuity

Irregular heartbeat or chest pain

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, visit your doctor immediately. If it is detected and treated early, the disease often causes no lasting harm; if, on the other hand, it is left to worsen, it can cause permanent complications involving the joints, heart, and brain. Your doctor can diagnose the condition with a blood test. Treatment for Lyme disease includes antibiotics to fight the bacteria and aspirin to help relieve any joint inflammation.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

Garlic is a natural immune booster, so you would benefit from eating it in its natural state or taking it in supplement form. "Green drinks" provide chlorophyll, which detoxifies, along with vital nutrients and enzymes. These can be found in your natural foods store.

To improve your condition, follow these recommended daily guidelines:

Most Important

essential fatty acids (as directed on label)-reduce joint stiffness and inflammation

pancreatin and bromelain (as directed on label)-aid digestion

evening primrose oil (1000 mg 2 to 3 times daily)-combats pain and inflammation

Also Recommended

garlic (as directed on label)

kelp (1000 to 1500 mg)-detoxifies the body

selenium (200 mcg)-a free radical scavenger

multivitamin and mineral complex (as directed on label)-use a high-potency formula for necessary nutrients

glutathione (600 mg)

thymic extract (as directed on label)

maitake D fraction (as directed on label)-boosts immunity

(Consult your healthcare provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Acupuncture treatment can be used to help relieve the fatigue, joint pain, and related side effects of Lyme disease.