Life With Lyme Disease

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Life with Lyme disease is complicated. Many who are living with Lyme do not even know they have been infected. The name Lyme disease comes from Lyme, Connecticut. The high prevalence of the disease leads to its discovery.

What Is Lyme Disease?

The name Lyme disease is a misnomer. The disease is caused by a stealthy microbe called Borrelia. Contrary to popular belief Borrelia, which causes Lyme disease is not only transmitted by deer ticks. According to the Michigan Lyme Disease Association, other insects can carry Lyme including other ticks, mosquitos, and possibly spiders and fleas.

It is shocking that more attention is not given to this debilitating disease. This disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States. Furthermore, in 2015 the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) reported Lyme as “the sixth most common Nationally Notifiable disease.” According to recent research by the Centers for Disease Control, 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.

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At this point in time, the disease is quite difficult to diagnose. In fact, its symptoms mimic that of many other aliments. Another issue with this disease is that patients can go years without symptoms. When symptoms arise, they are debilitating. The Borrelia complex can create problems in the brain, nervous system, muscles, joints, heart and circulatory system, digestion, skin and reproductive system.

Borrelia penetrates deep into tissues where it hides protected from antibiotics and the immune system. Its corkscrew shape allows it to penetrate deep into cells. Strangely enough, its mission is not to kill the host; it simply wants to scavenge enough to survive.

Typically, the initial symptoms of infection are mild. A person may experience flulike symptoms, headaches or muscle and joint pain. If the insect bite goes unnoticed, it is likely that the victim will not know they have been infected. A classic sign of infection is a bull’s-eye rash. Regrettably, only about 1/3 of cases have this indicator.

Unfortunately, testing for Borrelia is notoriously inaccurate. As a result, many people with the disease are unsure of when they were infected. Even worse than an inconclusive diagnosis is that treatment options are suggestive at best.

A Must Watch Documentary on Lyme Disease is: Under Our Skin 

Undiagnosed or misdiagnosed Lyme disease can lead to severe health problems, suggests the Lyme Light Foundation. As a consequence health concerns include:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
  • Bells Plasy
  • Alzheimers
  • Parkinson
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Heart rhythm irregularities
  • Cognitive defects
  • Neurological symptoms
  • Memory loss
  • Brain fog
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Dementia
  • Psychosis

Since Borrelia can lay dormant in the body, one person could be living with Lyme and show no symptoms while another person could be crippled by the disease. Presently, the proper functioning of our immune system is the one thing that correlates to when or if symptoms arise. When our immune system is robust, we are able to fight off the invaders. When our immune system is low symptoms will manifest.

Preventive Measures For Lyme Disease

All things considered, there are specific things we can do to ensure that we feel our best. It is imperative to keep our bodies in a healing state. These are a few options to promote a healthy immune system.

  • Eat a nutrient-rich diet
  • Avoid sugar, alcohol, processed/packaged foods, and all fast food
  • Promote a healthy gut with high-quality probiotics and digestive enzymes
  • Supplement with high-quality food form vitamins, magnesium, and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Take glyconutrients daily
  • Manage stress
  • Get plenty of sleep

From here on out take preventive measures when in areas with high amounts of insects.

  • Use a natural insect repellent. Essential oils are a great option.
  • When hiking wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks to keep ticks off the skin.
  • Wearing light-colored clothing to make spotting bugs easy.
  • Check skin after spending time in nature. Looking over the skin allows early detection.
  • Constantly promote a strong immune system.

Finally, if you know someone that could benefit from seeing this information, please share it with them. If you are living with Lyme disease and have a tactic that has worked well for you, please share it with us. To get in contact with me pop on over to OurWellnessRevolution.com

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SOURCES:

Stephanie Weeks