Thursday, March 28, 2024

How Long To Recover From Lyme Disease

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Q How Can I Speed My Recovery And Provide The Best Chance Of Getting Well

How To Recover From Chronic Lyme And Tick Diseases

A. Recovering from Lyme requires more than killing germs with herbal anti-microbials or prescription antibiotics. In my experience, a person must take steps to correct many problems caused by Lyme that suppress the immune system. To improve immune function, it is essential that a person follow my Lyme disease treatment guideline: The Ross Lyme Support Protocol.

To support the immune system and to recover from Lyme:

  • use an adaptogen to help the immune system deal with stress,
  • correct hormonal imbalances,

Are There Alternative Treatments For Lyme Disease

There are a variety of alternative treatments aimed at patients who believe they may have Lyme disease. But the effectiveness of these treatments is not supported by scientific evidence, and in many cases they are potentially harmful.

Bismacine, also known as chromacine, is an alternative-medicine drug that some people use to treat their Lyme disease.

The Food and Drug Administration warns that people should not use this injectable product, which has reportedly caused hospitalization and at least one death. 70563-1.pdf” rel=”nofollow”> 6)

In addition, the FDA notes that bismacine contains high levels of bismuth, which can cause heart and kidney failure.

Other alternative treatments include oxygen therapy, light therapy, and a variety of nutritional or herbal supplements. But there is no evidence that these treatments are clinically effective in the treatment of Lyme disease.

How Is It Treated

Facial palsy is treated with oral antibiotics and Lyme meningitis/radiculoneuritis can either be treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics, depending on severity . Most people with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and fully recover. Varying degrees of permanent nervous system damage may develop in people who do not receive treatment in the early stages of illness and who develop late-stage Lyme disease.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Untreated Lyme Disease

Seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms and have had a tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease occurs.

Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis.

The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely.

  • Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash
  • Erythema migrans rash :
  • Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected persons
  • Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days
  • Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches or more across
  • May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
  • Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or bulls-eye appearance
  • May appear on any area of the body
  • Does not always appear as a classic erythema migrans rash

Swollen Knee

  • Severe headaches and neck stiffness
  • Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
  • Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
  • Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
  • Heart palpitations or an irregular heart beat
  • Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
  • Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

Pin on Lyme disease
  • I found a tick embedded in my skin, but I cant get it out. What should I do?
  • Ive been bitten by a tick. Do I need to be seen?
  • Do I need a blood test to confirm Lyme disease?
  • Which antibiotic is best for me?
  • How long will I have to take the antibiotic?
  • What tick or insect repellent should I use for me or my child?
  • How long will the symptoms last?
  • What should I do if I still dont feel well a long time after I was bitten?

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What Are The Symptoms Of Lyme Nephritis In Dogs

Most commonly, dogs may present with fever, shifting leg lameness, swollen joints, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, depression and anorexia. Less commonly, dogs will develop a protein losing nephropathy that can result in hypoalbuminemia, edema and eventually renal failure, which is known as Lyme nephritis.

What Is Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by a tick bite. It was first recognized in 1975 when large numbers of children around the town of Lyme, Connecticut, were being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers investigated and found that tick bites were causing the illnesses.

Lyme disease is carried by black-legged ticks . These ticks are typically about the size of a sesame seed. They live mostly in certain areas of the country:

  • Northeast and mid-Atlantic
  • North central states

However, Lyme disease can be found in other parts of the United States. While you are more likely to get it in the above regions, cases of Lyme disease were reported in almost every state in 2017. The disease is also found in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

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What Causes Lyme Disease

People get Lyme disease when they are bitten by an infected tick. Ticks live in areas with a lot of plant life, such as wooded areas or fields. They sit near the top of grassy plants and low bushes. They wait there for people or animals to brush up against them. Ticks can crawl on your clothes or body for up to several hours or more before attaching to the skin.

Ticks can attach to any part of your body. They are usually found in hard-to-see areas, including the armpits, groin, or scalp. An infected tick needs to be attached to your skin for 36 to 48 hours before it passes the bacteria on to you.

People who spend time in outdoor areas where ticks are common are at higher risk of getting tick-borne diseases.

Living With Lyme Disease

Recover from Lyme Disease & Co-Infections

Once antibiotics resolve the infection, you can support your recovery from Lyme disease as you would with any kind of arthritis or nerve injury. It is recommended that you:

  • Eata healthy diet and limit your sugar intake.
  • Getplenty of rest.
  • Exerciseat least three times a week for at least 30 minutes each day.
  • Useanti-inflammatory medication when necessary.

The damageLyme disease causes to your nerves or muscles would heal over a course ofmonths, Dr. Sullivan says. Identifying the infection and treating itappropriately so that the infection is cleared is the first step. And then thebody can start to heal.

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What Is Lymes Disease And How Is It Spread

Lyme disease is from the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by bites of infected black-legged ticks. It is the usually reported tick-borne illness in the United States, with most cases happening in the Northeastern and Midwestern states. Lyme disease affects several body systems and cause many symptoms. It can be challenging to diagnose in some cases because its symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses.

No vaccine is available to prevent Lyme disease, and it can be challenging to treat, especially if it is not caught early. The best method in preventing Lyme disease is to keep away from tick bites by using tick repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoiding tick-infested areas.

Is There A Vaccine For Lyme Disease

A vaccine for Lyme disease was once available in the United States, but it is no longer available. The vaccines manufacturer discontinued its production in 2002, citing low sales.

According to a 2011 analysis, there were likely a number of factors leading to the decision to suspend the vaccine. These factors included:

  • Class-action lawsuits
  • Low public support due to efforts by anti-vaccine groups
  • Concerns that the vaccine could cause arthritis
  • A difficult vaccination schedule.

The CDC also notes that the vaccine loses effectiveness over time, meaning that youre probably no longer protected against Lyme disease today if you received the vaccine when it was available.

In July 2017, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for another Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15. The FDA designation is intended to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs that treat serious conditions in order to get them to patients faster.

Additional reporting by George Vernadakis.

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How Does Lyme Disease Work

The bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease when it get into your bloodstream. You may experience a variety of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection.

Early on, typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever,chills, headache, joint aches and most distinctively a spreading rash thatresembles a bulls-eye.

But if itisnt identified and treated within 36 to 48 hours, the infection can spread toother parts of your body, including the heart and nervous system.

The later,more serious stages of Lyme disease can lead to neurological damage andarthritis.

Where Are Ticks Found

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Ticks are found throughout the UK and in other parts of Europe and North America. There are a high number of ticks in the Scottish Highlands.

They can be found in any areas with deep or overgrown plants where they have access to animals to feed on.

They’re common in woodland and moorland areas, but can also be found in gardens or parks.

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What Can Treatment Achieve

There are no proven cures for PTLDS. However, treatment may make the symptoms easier to manage.

In the absence of a cure, some people may find it tempting to try unproven treatments. These therapies may not be effective or safe, and in some cases, they may be harmful.

People should be cautious of online sources that make claims without evidence or anyone who alleges they have a cure for PTLDS especially if they are selling a product or service.

A person should always discuss any new diet, supplement, or alternative therapy with a doctor before trying it.

How Does Lyme Disease Affect The Body

The bacteria have a unique ability to evade the human immune system and can survive in the body even when aggressive treatment is used. This can lead to a systemic reaction called the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, where the patients immune system triggers an inflammatory response all over the body because of the antibiotic treatment. This can lead to the worsening of current symptoms and the development of new ones.

In some cases, patients may also get Lyme disease coinfections, which are becoming more common. Coinfection occurs when a person is infected with more than one infection at the same time. Symptoms of these infections can overlap with those of Lyme disease, complicating the diagnosis and treatment. Coinfection can result in more severe infection, more symptoms, and a longer recovery time.

Lyme disease can also affect the thyroid system, which is a well-known cause of alopecia, or hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. This can result in patchy hair loss on the scalp, beard area, eyebrows, and eyelashes, and may also affect other parts of the body. Hair loss may be confined to one side, and hair fall and growth may occur simultaneously in various parts of the body. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.

The frequency of hair loss in patients with Lyme disease has not been well studied, but there are several theories.

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Can You Have Lyme Meningitis Without Knowing

If a person does not know that they received a tick bite and does not develop symptoms at an early stage, they may not realize that they have Lyme meningitis. It is also possible that a person may not test positive for the condition despite having it. However, in time, symptoms are likely to develop. As soon as a person notices symptoms, they should speak with a doctor.

How To Avoid Tick Bites

Daniel A. Kinderlehrer, MD – Recovery from Lyme Disease

To reduce the chance of being bitten:

  • cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
  • use insect repellent on your clothes and skin products containing DEET are best
  • stay on clear paths whenever possible
  • wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to see and brush off

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How You Get Lyme Disease

If a tick bites an animal carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, the tick can become infected. The tick can then transfer the bacteria to a human by biting them.

Ticks don’t jump or fly. They climb on to your clothes or skin if you brush against something they’re on. They then bite into the skin and start to feed on your blood.

Generally, you’re more likely to become infected if the tick is attached to your skin for more than 24 hours. Ticks are very small and their bites are not painful, so you may not realise you have one attached to your skin.

How To Treat Fatigue From Lyme Disease

Fatigue is a potential symptom of Lyme disease. In most cases, it goes away after antibiotic treatment. If fatigue does not resolve, measures such as pacing, nutrition, and anti-inflammatory supplements may help. However, there is little evidence to prove these strategies work.

Persistent fatigue can be part of a condition known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome or chronic Lyme. Scientists are not sure what causes it, and there are currently no cures.

However, in , the symptoms of PTLDS improve with time. This can take months or years. While a person recovers, they may find certain dietary or lifestyle changes help them to cope.

Read on for five ways to treat fatigue from Lyme disease.

Rest and pacing are tools that can help with managing fatigue. Rest involves getting quality sleep and relaxation time, while pacing is a technique that helps a person manage the energy they do have.

Scientists have not studied the effects of rest or pacing in people with PTLDS, but doctors often recommend them to people with other forms of chronic fatigue, such as myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome .

Resting more may involve:

  • following a regular sleep schedule

Pacing involves:

  • taking regular breaks to rest during activities
  • spreading out activities over several days instead of doing them in one day
  • planning time for rest before and after every activity
  • stopping an activity before fatigue sets in, not after

Inflammatory foods to avoid include:

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Why Are Antibiotics The First Line Of Treatment For Lyme Disease

The use of antibiotics is critical for treating Lyme disease. Without antibiotic treatment, the Lyme disease causing bacteria can evade the host immune system, disseminate through the blood stream, and persist in the body. Antibiotics go into the bacteria preferentially and either stop the multiplication of the bacteria or disrupt the cell wall of the bacteria and kill the bacteria . By stopping the growth or killing the bacteria the human host immune response is given a leg up to eradicate the residual infection. Without antibiotics, the infection in Lyme disease can evade the host immune system and more readily persist.

Who’s At Risk Of Lyme Disease

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The risk of getting Lyme disease is higher:

  • for people who spend time in woodland or moorland areas
  • from March to October because more people take part in outdoor activities

It’s thought only a small proportion of ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Being bitten doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be infected. However, it’s important to be aware of the risk and speak to a GP if you start to feel unwell.

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Diagnosis Testing And Treatment

You may have heard that the blood test for Lyme disease is correctly positive only 65% of the time or less. This is misleading information. As with serologic tests for other infectious diseases, the accuracy of the test depends upon how long youve been infected. During the first few weeks of infection, such as when a patient has an erythema migrans rash, the test is expected to be negative.

Several weeks after infection, FDA cleared tests have very good sensitivity.

It is possible for someone who was infected with Lyme disease to test negative because:

  • Some people who receive antibiotics early in disease may not have a fully developed antibody response or may only develop an antibody response at levels too low to be detected by the test.
  • Antibodies against Lyme disease bacteria usually take a few weeks to develop, so tests performed before this time may be negative even if the person is infected. In this case, if the person is retested a few weeks later, they should have a positive test if they have Lyme disease. It is not until 4 to 6 weeks have passed that the test is likely to be positive. This does not mean that the test is bad, only that it needs to be used correctly.
  • If you are pregnant and suspect you have contracted Lyme disease, contact your physician immediately.

    * Silver HM. Lyme disease during pregnancy. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1997 Mar 11:93-7.

    The most common co-infections that occur with Lyme disease are anaplasmosis and babesiosis. In general:

    References:

    How To Avoid Contracting Lyme Disease

    • Use insect repellant on your clothing and all exposed skin when walking in wooded or grassy areas where ticks thrive.
    • Treat clothing and footwear with permethrin , an insect repellant that remains active through several washings.
    • Walk in the center of trails to avoid high grass when hiking.
    • After walking or hiking, change your clothes and perform a thorough check for ticks, focusing on the groin, scalp, and armpits.
    • Check your pets for ticks.

    Contact a doctor if a tick bites you. You should be observed for 30 days for signs of Lyme disease.

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