Treatments for Lyme disease

Learn the different types of treatment for Lyme disease like traditional, alternative Lyme disease treatment and Lyme detox.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease that is usually transmitted by three species of bacteria from the genus Borrelia. The disease was named after Lyme in Connecticut, USA where it was first identified in 1975. Usual symptoms of this disease within the incubation period of 2 weeks are erythema or “bulls-eye” rash on the affected skin, facial palsy or arthritis depending on the severity of the case and if left untreated. For severe and chronic cases it may affect other parts of the body like the brain, nerves, eyes, joints and heart and could lead to fatal damages. Getting rid of Lyme disease the moment a patient is diagnosed or being bit the carrier should be taken care of and that it should be treated immediately.

Here are some treatments for Lyme disease:

Antibiotic therapy is the main traditional treatment for Lyme disease as it is the easiest intervention when symptoms set in and diagnoses are confirmed. Doxycycline or minocycline is for adults while amoxicillin is prescribed for pregnant women and children as it manifests a lighter effect for antibiotic therapy. Erythromycin, azythromycin, and clarithromycin (Biaxin) are usually combined drugs for Lyme disease treatment but it must be supervised by a physician and all the side effects and drug administration should be properly discussed with the patient for him to manage it carefully. These antibiotics are taken for 2-3 weeks depending on the severity of the case and age of the patient. Other considerations like existing systemic diseases should also be noted by the physician during and after administration of the drug/s.

Acupuncture, andrographics, aromatherapy, artemisia, bee venom, Chinese herbs, cat’s claw, colloidal silver, colonics, colostrum, cranial sacral therapy, dietary changes, digestive enzymes, far-infrared sauna, garlic, glutathione, grapefruit seed extract, homeopathy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Japanese knotwood, liquid oxygen, lymphatic drainage, olive leaf extract, ozone therapy, resveratrol, Rife machine, salt and Vitamin C, spilanthes, Swedish sauna, tai chi, and various combinations of vitamins and minerals are considered as alternative treatments for Lyme disease as these have variable results and were only conducted on an experimental basis. These treatments should be done under proper supervision with an attending physician as it may affect systemic disorders and may cause other health problems.

Lyme detox is commonly incorporated with other Lyme disease treatments as it effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria causing the disease to outburst. Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is one typical reaction cause by Lyme detox and it usually flares-up toxins from other organs causing the immune system to boost up and fight the bacteria causing the disease. Headaches, swollen glands, skin lesions, joint or muscle pain, chills, cold hands and feet, excessive perspiration, low-grade fever, a rise or drop in blood pressure, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, itching, hives and rashes are observed and noted during this process but usually are treated palliatively.