Lyme disease – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Friday, January 26, 2018 by Frances Bloomfield

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a tick-borne infection caused by spirochetes, which are spiral-shaped bacteria responsible for various diseases in humans. The type of bacteria that causes Lyme disease differs based on location. In North America, Lyme disease is usually caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, while in Europe, this condition is most often associated with Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii. These bacteria are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks, which can most often be found in forests, woodlands, and areas with high grass. Deer and medium-sized animals have been known to carry infected ticks as well.

The disease gets its name from the town of Old Lyme, Conn., where Lyme disease was first reported in 1975. What was originally thought of as an outbreak of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis turned out to be this illness.

Known side effects of Lyme disease

The symptoms experienced by an individual will depend on the stage of the disease, of which there are three.

The first stage, early localized infection, occurs within one to two weeks of infection. This stage is primarily characterized by erythema chronicum migrans, which a bull’s-eye shaped rash that manifests on the site of the tick bite. Most cases of Lyme disease will display this rash, though there have been some in the past that didn’t. Other symptoms of this stage include:

Chills
Fatigue
Joint pain
Low-grade fever

The second stage, early disseminated infection, occurs several weeks after the bite. At this point, the bacteria have begun spreading across the body and causing the infected person to experience:

Additional rashes
Enlarged lymph nodes
Facial palsy
Headaches and migraines
Meningitis, or inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Muscle aches
Numbness
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Tingling
Vision changes

Left untreated, Lyme disease will progress into the last stage, late disseminated infection, which occurs months or years after bite. People who’ve entered this stage will feel:

Abnormal heart rate
Arthritis
Brain disorders involving memory, sleep, and mood
Difficulty concentrating
Facial muscle paralysis
Mental fogginess
Severe headaches
Short-term memory loss

Body systems harmed by Lyme disease

Lyme disease has the potential to permanently damage the nervous system, brain, heart, and joints. According to MedicineNet.com, people with chronic Lyme disease are at high risk developing autoimmune forms of arthritis, which include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and peripheral spondyloarthropathy.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Lyme disease

As per TheDailyMeal.com, people who suffer from chronic Lyme disease should incorporate anti-inflammatory, immune system-supporting, and gut health-supporting foods into their diet to make managing the disease much easier. These types of foods will assist the body in recovering from Lyme disease and improving one’s immunity to minimize the risk of catching it again in the future. Some good examples include:

Sweet potatoes: These are an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin A.
Chickpeas: The high content of vitamin B6 is what makes chickpeas a good addition.
Sunflower seeds: Just like vitamin A, vitamin E is known to play a role in boosting the immune system. Sunflower seeds are abundant in this particular vitamin.
Salmon: Omega-3 fatty acids are more known for being good for the brain, but they’re just as effective in reducing inflammation. Fatty fish like salmon can be relied on to supply omega-3 fatty acids.

Moreover, infected persons should make it a point to avoid alcohol and processed foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. This is because alcohol can affect the immune system, while sugars and carbohydrates may throw gut flora out of balance.

Treatments, management plans for Lyme disease

Lyme disease is usually treated with the administration of antibiotics. During the early stages, antibiotics such as doxycycline or cefuroxime will be given orally as part of a 14- or 21-day course to eliminate the infection. Chronic Lyme disease will usually call for intravenous delivery of antibiotics over the same duration.

Because Lyme disease originates from infected ticks, it can be prevented by avoiding bites from infected ticks. There are numerous ways to keep ticks at bay, such as:

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outside.
Spraying repellent on skin, clothing, and camping or hiking gear. Oil of lemon eucalyptus can be used too.
Making the yard unsuitable for ticks by placing woodpiles in sunny areas and clearing out underbrush. Fencing against deer is also recommended.
Checking gear, clothes, pets, and the body for ticks. These insects tend to attach themselves to arms, behind the knees, in the bellybutton, on the head, between the legs, and around the waist.

Any ticks found on the body should be immediately removed with tweezers. To do this, simply grasp the head or mouth of the tick and pull gently. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, as this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain attached to the skin.

Where to learn more

Summary

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by tick bites. People who have Lyme disease will experience a wide array of symptoms which that include fever, chills, fatigue, and dizziness. If treatment isn’t given right away, Lyme disease can worsen and negatively affect the joints, nervous system, brain, and heart.

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for Lyme disease. Since ticks are the prime carriers of Lyme disease, preventing them from latching onto one’s skin and transmitting disease-causing bacteria is the key to avoiding this condition.

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