Is it lyme disease? what else could it be & how can i just feel “normal”
Contents
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease symptoms
Diagnosis of Lyme disease
Lyme disease treatment options
Management of chronic Lyme disease symptoms
Feel normal again with Lyme disease treatments at LIVV Natural
Are you experiencing Lyme disease symptoms? This condition causes varying health challenges, like rashes, neurological disorders, and mental illnesses. It may also present some flu-like signs, including fatigue, headaches, and body aches.
Lyme disease is a relatively common problem, with symptoms resembling other conditions. As a result, it may be difficult to tell whether you have it.
Discover what Lyme disease is, its common symptoms, and various treatment options.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a vector-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial species. Borrelia mayonii is also responsible for a few cases of the condition. Humans get the infection when bitten by blacklegged ticks.
The condition was first documented in the US in 1975 in Old Lyme, Connecticut. It’s otherwise known as Bannwarth syndrome and Lyme borreliosis.
The most common vectors of this infection are nymphs. These immature blacklegged ticks get the bacteria when feeding on infected rodents. Adult ticks can also spread Lyme disease to humans.
After a tick bite, the bacterial infection goes into the bloodstream. When left untreated for a long period, it develops into an inflammatory problem. The most affected parts are the brain and the central and peripheral nervous system. It also impacts the joints, skin, heart, and muscles.
The symptoms of untreated Lyme disease vary in infected people. While the condition is mild in many individuals, others may experience severe issues.
Antibiotics are the traditional treatment for Lyme disease. Alternative options, like peptide therapy, are also shown to relieve symptoms.
Ticks can also cause other infections, like relapsing fever and babesiosis. They’re also the causative agents for anaplasmosis, tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan encephalitis.
Prevalence of Lyme disease
Around 30,000 cases are documented yearly in the US. The prevalence of Lyme disease is believed to be higher. Report shows that about 476,000 individuals may experience the condition annually. The severity of the disease varies and could determine the documentation.
While people experience Lyme disease symptoms all over the US, they’re more common in certain states. The condition’s prevalence is higher in the midwest and on the west coast. It’s also more of a risk in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states.
The environmental conditions of these regions promote the spread of the infection. Living in bushy, grassy, or wooded areas promotes the breeding of ticks. This factor increases the risk of developing Lyme disease.
People also experience Lyme disease in Europe, southeastern and south-central Canada, and Asia. Although the symptoms are similar, the causative Borrelia species differs in most regions.
Lyme disease symptoms
The signs of Lyme disease are categorized into three stages. These symptoms tend to overlap at different phases. Some people may not experience any problems in the early stages of the condition.
Stage 1 (early localized Lyme disease)
The first stage of Lyme Disease occurs within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. It’s usually accompanied by limited symptoms.
Rash
Rashes are the most common symptom of Lyme disease, affecting 70% of people. You may see them develop between 5 to 30 days after a tick bite. The affected area looks like a bull’s eye or a red oval. It’s often flat, but the edges could seem slightly protruded.
The experience varies among individuals. While the rash may itch or burn some patients, it’s asymptomatic in others. The rash may increase in size over the next few days. Its expansion shows the infection is spreading in the body.
Unless treated, the rash could stay on your skin for more than two weeks. A few patients see more spots on other parts of their body. They may disappear and return after some periods.
Avoid self-diagnosis, as some rashes aren’t related to Lyme disease. Let your physician check for any unusual spots on your body.
Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like signs are observed in around 50% of Lyme disease patients. The symptoms usually include a fever, dizziness, a sore throat, malaise, and headaches. They typically manifest in the first week of the infection.
Since these symptoms are common in other conditions, Lyme disease is often overlooked. This is especially true if the signs are mild. Unlike flu-like issues, these problems often come and go with Lyme disease.
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness is one of the earliest Lyme disease symptoms. As the infection spreads throughout your body, you feel exhausted. It’s often difficult to determine the cause of the lack of energy.
Lyme disease fatigue affects your whole body. Many struggle to carry out daily activities when the condition becomes severe. You may consider resting during the day or taking a break from work. Sleeping longer than usual is another sign you could notice.
Although resting may relieve the symptoms temporarily, the extreme tiredness generally returns. Some health professionals could misdiagnose it as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia.
Aches and joint pains
Sore, stiff, and painful joints are early symptoms of Lyme disease. The affected areas look swollen or inflamed. They may also feel warm when you touch them. Over time, this problem may limit your movements.
Stiff, swollen, and achy joints have various manifestations. The pain may move from one body part to another. Although it’s often localized to an area, it could affect many regions at once.
Joint pain may disappear and return after some time. While it has short-term impacts in many, others experience it for longer periods.
Visual problems
Lyme disease may present visual challenges, like tearing and eye redness. These symptoms could worsen if untreated for a long time.
Stage 2 (early disseminated Lyme disease)
In the weeks or months following the bite, the condition enters the second phase. Early disseminated Lyme disease often presents the symptoms of the first stage. There are also other signs you may see.
Neurological disorders
Around 10% of adults with Lyme disease experience some neurological problem. The condition causes the inflammation of various parts of the nervous system.
Meningitis is one of the most obvious signs of Lyme disease at this stage. It’s characterized by the swelling of meninges. This tissue covers the spinal cord and brain.
In most cases, meningitis causes a stiff neck, headache, and fever. It may lead to nausea, sleepiness, seizures, confusion, and other problems if untreated.
Many patients have nerve and nerve root problems. This condition often affects the physiological fibers controlling facial movement. You may experience discomfort, numbness, weakness, and other unusual sensations.
Facial muscle weakness
Lyme disease weakens the facial muscles. The problem may disrupt one or both sides.
Early disseminated Lyme disease is also associated with feet or hand numbness. You may also have soreness that starts in the hips and back. It eventually moves to the legs.
Heart problems
As the second phase continues, some patients have inflammation of the heart. This problem affects cardiac electrical impulse conduction, leading to heart block. Heart block is characterized by lightheadedness, slower heart rate, and fainting. Some patients may have no symptoms.
In rare situations, the tissue covering the heart and heart muscle may swell. These problems are often mild and don’t require hospitalization.
Skin outbreaks
Many patients have itchy, irritated skin. Some may have certain types of B-cell lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphocytes. Lyme disease can also cause unexplainable large bruises and white or discolored patches.
Serious eye problems
Eye nerves may witness several immune system activities. The problem leads to vision loss or pain. The eye or eyelid can also swell in some cases.
Stage 3 (late disseminated disease)
Lyme disease advances into the third stage if left untreated for long. Late disseminated phase often starts 3 to 12 months after the bite. The patient’s condition deteriorates as they experience more severe Lyme disease symptoms.
Muscle and joint problems
Muscle and joint problems are the most common signs of stage three Lyme disease. They affect the majority of individuals with this phase of the condition. While many have persistent arthritis, others encounter irregular episodes.
The knees are a common problem area. Over time, the symptoms may incapacitate you and restrict your motion. Untreated late disseminated Lyme disease may also result in joint or tissue damage.
Neurological disorders
Lyme disease may cause severe neurological symptoms, like thinking and memory problems. You may also have strange sensations in different body parts.
In rare situations, late disseminated Lyme disease causes brain fog. The condition makes it difficult for you to concentrate.
Regression in children
Lyme disease may cause regression of a baby’s developmental milestones. Other typical symptoms of the condition include rashes.
Children with Lyme disease may experience a regression in their academic performance. They may struggle with speech and social skills. Mood swings are common, leading to emotional challenges.
A child’s motor coordination may deteriorate without any known physical cause. They also have a high risk of arthritis and a loss of appetite.
Diagnosis of Lyme disease
The first step to treating Lyme disease symptoms is an accurate diagnosis. It helps establish that you have this condition before exploring the treatment options.
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging. The symptoms are commonly associated with other health problems. As a result, it’s easy to misdiagnose this issue.
It’s difficult to know when you’ve been bitten by a blacklegged tick. These insects are so small that people don’t usually notice them. Their bites aren’t painful and may not develop into a rash for a few days. Most people don’t observe the sting until the infection has spread.
Your physician diagnoses you by asking about the symptoms. A thorough examination of the bite and rash may indicate you have Lyme disease. Although a blood test may be helpful, it’s not reliable in the early stages.
Special diagnostic tests are recommended for patients with nervous system issues or joint inflammation. It may involve the extraction of fluid from the infected spine or joint.
Lyme disease treatment options
Although the symptoms of Lyme can be scary, the disease is treatable. Early diagnosis is recommended to prevent the infection from spreading.
Let’s consider the Lyme disease treatment options.
Antibiotics
The use of antibiotics is the conventional treatment method for Lyme disease symptoms. Studies show they’re reliable for most cases of early stage infection. The medication may not help patients in the later phases of the condition.
Antibiotics work by attacking the bacteria and preventing them from multiplying. They damage the pathogens’ cell walls and kill the organisms.
Once the bacteria are stopped, the patient’s immune system takes over. It responds by eliminating the remaining infection. The symptoms of Lyme disease disappear over the next few weeks or months.
Oral antibiotics are typically prescribed for at least two weeks. More serious symptoms may require a longer course of care. Ensure you complete the dosage, as shorter treatments could cause a relapse.
Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are another option your doctor may prescribe. The medication is injected directly into your vein. It’s usually for severe cases of Lyme disease. Long-term arthritis, heart problems, and nervous system disorders may require it.
The severity of the condition determines the recommended dose of antibiotics. Patients with central nervous system problems require higher doses, as the disease-carrying bacteria has entered their spinal fluid. These individuals need more treatment to reach the infected part.
While antibiotics are beneficial for Lyme disease, they may cause a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR). The condition may show symptoms like chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches.
A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction usually begins a few hours after taking antibiotics. The symptoms often disappear within one or two days.
Other treatment options
Apart from using antibiotics, there are other ways to treat Lyme disease. Peptide and ozone therapy may ease the symptoms in a more natural way.
The combination of the following treatments can relieve the signs of Lyme disease.
BPC-157
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide with regenerative abilities. It features 15 amino acids and may reduce symptoms of Lyme. The therapy is known for relieving swelling in joints and other body parts.
This peptide could speed up recovery from muscle aches and injuries. BPC-157’s healing properties may also assist in reducing pain.
Thymosin Beta-500
Thymosin Beta-500 is an anti-inflammatory peptide that may reduce Lyme disease-related swelling. It reportedly boosts blood vessel formation, helping people with heart problems.
TB-500 could aid the repair of tissues damaged by Lyme disease. It also encourages the thymus gland to produce more immune cells. This process strengthens your immunity and helps combat the condition.
NAD+
Lyme disease slows and disrupts cellular functions. This problem leads to several symptoms associated with the condition. NAD+ may boost mitochondrial operations and bodily energy levels.
The coenzyme aids the conversion of energy in food to ATP. This process increases metabolism and vitality. NAD+ may also help Lyme disease patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ozone therapy
Ozone therapy is the administration of medical ozone gas into the body. The treatment is available in two forms: ozone insufflation and intravenous ozone. Both options are effective for Lyme disease.
The treatment kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in your system. It also boosts immunity and anti-oxidative responses. As the therapy detoxifies your body, it increases physical strength. It may help individuals with extreme tiredness.
Combine ozone therapy with alpha-lipoic acid for better results. The compound converts glucose to energy, helping you deal with fatigue.
High dose of vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant capable of combating free radicals. It’s essential for the formation of muscles and cartilages. This compound may relieve Lyme disease symptoms by fighting inflammation and enhancing immunity.
Intravenous high-dose vitamin C treatments may also alleviate other Lyme disease signs, like heart and memory problems.
Glutathione
Glutathione is an antioxidant involved in building and repairing tissues. It aids immune system function, allowing your body to eliminate harmful bacteria. The peptide could also promote recovery from flu-like symptoms.
Glutathione supports the regeneration of vitamin C, another compound that relieves Lyme disease.
Management of chronic Lyme disease symptoms
Chronic Lyme disease requires proper management to prevent the condition from worsening. The following tips could help:
- Learn more about the condition. Numerous pieces of information are available online about Lyme disease. Filter out the correct ones and ignore inaccurate reports. Talk to your doctor if you have any inquiries about the condition.
- Prioritize self-care. Adequate self-care plays a role in the management of chronic Lyme disease. Eat healthy meals and drink lots of water. Take enough rest, as this factor aids recovery from the condition. Exercise regularly without stressing yourself.
- Manage your symptoms. Keep track of the factors triggering your Lyme disease signs. Monitor your eating habits, sleep patterns, and other daily activities. Take note of things affecting your condition and communicate with your doctor.
- Get support. Dealing with Lyme disease can be challenging. Let your friends and family understand what you’re going through. Proper communication encourages them to support you. An experienced counselor could also help you.
Feel normal again with Lyme disease treatments at LIVV Natural
Although Lyme disease symptoms can be frightening, there are several treatment options. Ozone and peptide therapy could alleviate the signs and help you feel normal again.
Don’t wait until you have Lyme disease before taking necessary action. Cover your body when in a place with a high risk of tick bites. Pay attention to your pets, as they can carry the microorganisms into your home.
Are you looking for reliable treatments for Lyme disease? LIVV Natural offers premium therapy options. Book a consultation with our specialists today.
Author: Dr. Jason Phan NMD – Founder of LIVV Natural – Anti-aging – regenerative medicine – peptide therapy
