Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium-spirochetes are slender, spiral shaped bacteria, and this germ causes Lyme disease, which is a potentially serious long-term illness in people. Minute ticks that commonly feed on deer and on mice are responsible for the transmission of this disease. These infected deer ticks, spread the disease by biting people especially when they are walking about in areas which deer or field mice frequent in the wild.
When a tick carrying the bacteria bites a person, it results in that person becoming infected with the disease. The bite is however often difficult to tell, as the bites are often painless and because these deer ticks are so tiny, it is possible to overlook their presence on the body of the person-they may go unnoticed by the infested individual himself or herself.
An added complication is that these symptoms that are generated by the bacteria often mimics those of other conditions and as a rule the symptoms experienced vary from one person to the other. This is the reason that a proper diagnosis for Lyme disease is often missed especially in the early stages of the disease.
The bite marks of the tick are usually on the arms or legs of the person-though this is not always the case. However, a characteristic first sign noted in the majority of people with Lyme disease is a "bull's-eye" marking at the site of the bite. The shape of the bite mark is typically a round, raised and reddish lesion, paler or even white at the center of the raised skin.
As infection progresses, the bull's-eye rash often gradually expands from the center in some cases; while in other cases, there may be development of a bumpy rash on the torso of the afflicted individual. During the entire course of the disease, the various signs and symptoms of the disease may come and go unpredictably in the affected individual.
These signs and symptoms often accompany the formation of the bull's-eye mark and can come along with a rash or sometimes with flu like symptoms, these can include conditions such as a fever, body chills, and a headache, in addition the person may feel terrible aches in the body.
Different people get different symptoms; some developing an enlargement of the spleen and the lymphatic glands, sore throat and severe headaches may be evident in others, while still other patients may suffer from nausea and vomiting as a result of the disease. After the initial bite of the tick, a combination of symptoms can occur or the symptoms might occur singly. In general these symptoms can develop anywhere starting at three days to three weeks from the bite of the tick.
Another variable factor is the course of the recovery from the disease. Different people respond in different ways to the disease, while some people recover well enough after suffering the initial symptoms of the illness.
Many other patients go on to develop long-term, and even chronic conditions and added complications, these can include physical problems such as arthritis, many forms of neurological disorders, in some patients the symptoms can also include an enlargement of the heart and the developing of an irregular heartbeat in the affected person. The aches and the physical fatigue frequently last for weeks on end in most patients affected with this disease before a recovery is made.
Early diagnosis is the single most critical factor in the successful treatment of Lyme disease. It is a good idea to immediately contact a doctor for advice if there is any suspicion that a person or a child may be developing Lyme disease.
Because proper diagnosis and correct treatment is so important, the utilization of a blood test can help confirm whether or not the child or individual has been infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium; if the bacterium is found in the blood test, then Lyme's disease is confirmed. Because of the fact that results so obtained from a blood test are not found to be positive for several weeks after the infection is contracted, a repeat test is usually not advised for patients.
See age-appropriate dosages of herbal remedies
A great supplement to boost recovery is the use of a combination formula containing the Echinacea and goldenseal herbs, these two will help to clear the infection and help support the child's immune system; this will speed the rate and level of recovery from the disease. Children can be given a single dose, thrice each day, for a treatment regimen lasting up to two weeks at a stretch.
For your attention: because it loses its effectiveness over a prolonged period of use, the herb Echinacea should not be administered on a daily basis for more than ten days at a single dosage regimen.
Children can also benefit from the bactericidal properties of garlic. Dosage for children can include a single dose, two times every day, for a period of two months.
Generally, probiotic supplements are considered to be friendly or helpful bacteria. Several people use probiotic supplements as a means to control their alimentary canal. In the case of Lyme disease, these supplements are effective in fighting symptoms caused by using conventional medications that are necessary to combat the ailment, for instance, antibiotics.
These supplements are useful in treating nausea and diarrhea, in addition to putting off infections by yeasts that usually happen when an individual has been using antibiotics for a prolonged period. Various forms of probiotics are available in the market, for instance, as an enhancement to yogurt (brand name, Activa), capsules and also in a number of bottled water varieties.
Certain foods also enclose probiotics. Ingesting additional amounts of artichokes, leeks and honey is considered to be a natural probiotic therapy, especially for treating Lyme disease.
Homeopathy is not only a very popular medicine system, but also considered to be holistic. Homeopathic remedies are selected on the basis of the theory pertaining to individualization as well as similarity of symptoms and by means of a holistic method. This is considered to be the only means to recover total health as well as get rid of all symptoms and signs endured by a patient.
The objective of homeopathy is to cure the symptoms of Lyme disease and, at the same time, deal with the basic cause as well as the vulnerability of a particular individual. Talking about curative medication, there are many homeopathic remedies which have proved to be effective for treating Lyme disease and you may opt for any of them depending on the cause of the disease, condition of the patient as well as the responsiveness of the suffer and modalities of the problems endured by the patient.
If you wish to individualize the selection of a homeopathic remedy as well as treatment, you need to personally check with a qualified and competent practitioner of homeopathic medication. The following homeopathic remedies can help in the treatment of Lyme disease:
In addition to using commonly used drugs, homeopathic remedies, supplements and herbs, you may do a few extra things to prevent as well as treat Lyme disease. The most effective protection against Lyme disease is always remaining cautious against bites by ticks. Try to keep away from going to densely forested regions and wear clothes that protect you from tick bites.
In addition, ensure that you always wear light hued clothes, as this will make it easier to detect ticks. Following any outdoor activity, especially in grassy or forested areas, ensure that you inspect your body meticulously. In case you find any ticks, get rid of them immediately using tweezers.
Always remain on the alert. In case you are planning to visit any forested region, it is advisable that you carry your emergency homeopathic kit along with you. If it is not possible to carry the kit, you should at least take some important remedies that are used as first aid.
You ought to be aware of the places where the ticks with black-legs can be present. Usually, they flourish in damp and moist places close to forested or grassy areas. You need to be careful to remain in the middle of the path while walking through any vegetation, leaf litter or small shrubs - adopting these precautionary measures will help you to avoid tick bites.
As a precautionary measure, you should always spray an insect repellent based on DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) on the skin provided you are planning to remain outdoors for some period of time. If you are able to use this type of insect repellent appropriately, it will be effective in shielding you from infections for many hours.
