Lyme disease is a kind of bacterium infection which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi that comes from the simple bite of a deer tick. These ticks that are so small the naked eye cannot see them. Thus, many people who have Lyme disease never even see the said tick and are more likely to develop the Lyme disease symptoms because the tick remained longer on their bodies.
Contracting Lyme Disease
Did you know that a Lyme disease is perhaps the most common tick borne disease in the United States?
In fact, there are more than 15,000 cases of Lyme disease that are reported every year, many of which were infected by the ticks during their nymph stages which happens in the spring and summer seasons. About 15% of the reports were filed during the fall seasons when the ticks are already in their adult stage. Most of the infection happens during warmer months when the ticks are most active.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease is actually not contagious and thus it cannot be transferred from one person to the next. A black-legged tick is the culprit behind humans getting infected with Lyme disease. For the tick to pass on the infection, it must stay attached to the person for 2-3 days.
The symptoms might show up very fast or it can occur in slow paces. People who are infected might notice an expanding rash that appears 3 to 30 days after they have been bitten.
There might also be other symptoms such as fever, flu-like symptoms, jaw pain, nausea, headache, red eyes, light sensitivity, stiff neck and muscle ache.
Many people who are infected with Lyme disease would actually think nothing of it and assume that it is no more than a simple flu. However, the later symptoms of Lyme disease can only appear months after the infection began and can progress further over time.
There are also neuro-psychiatric symptoms that can develop later in the sequence which is very similar to tertiary neurosyphilis.
Lyme Disease Treatment
You can treat Lyme disease with antibiotics during the earlier stages and in most cases, 14 to 30 days is enough to clear all the symptoms and get rid of the bacteria. However, if you don’t like strong medications, then perhaps you might want to try some of these natural alternatives.
Eat plenty of fruits. Most people aren’t getting enough vitamin c in their systems as well as fiber. So increasing your fruit in take would be able to suffice that.
Take your vitamins; of course just fruit alone would not be enough. Take vitamins and food supplements that were derived from natural herbs. This would strengthen your immune system. If there’s one thing that Lyme disease hates, it’s a person with a strong immune system.
Drink plenty of water. Sure, you have heard it time and time again but do you follow through? Remember to drink at least 12 glasses of water a day. You will know that you aren’t taking enough when your urine is not clear.
Prepare hot/cold packs. This would help you with some of the discomforts that Lyme disease can cause. Also, have some natural oils such as the ever useful castor oil handy to help sooth dull or even sharp pains.
Grapefruit seed extract. Grapefruit seed extract is clinically proven to be efficient in fighting against the harmful bacterium found in the body. The best part is that it is readily available in your local grocery store or in specialty health food stores.
So there you have it. Some natural alternatives to help relieve you of the pain Lyme disease can cause. Remember, prevention is still worth more than an ounce of cure so be wary of the symptoms and make sure that your family is safe from Lyme disease infections.