Lyme disease is a condition that is often misunderstood and not taken as seriously as it should, according to Dr. Patricia Ryan, Alternatives’ founder. “That’s because a simple bite from an infected tick could turn into a chronic condition that becomes difficult to treat,” she said. About 20,000 Americans are reported to have Lyme disease each year, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America http://www.idsociety.org/lymediseasefacts.htm. "What's more, many look for the tell-tale signs of rash to signal an infection when, in fact, rash only presents in a small percentage of patients with Lyme disease," Dr. Ryan said.
The Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/) reports that Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.
Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease, the CDC reports. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, landscaping, and integrated pest management. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.
“These recommendations are good, but don’t go far enough in helping to protect the public,” Dr. Ryan noted. “There are a number of herbs that can help safeguard people and even animals from the risks of Lyme disease. It’s worth keeping these prophylactics stocked in the medicine cabinet so that you can administer them immediately after you have removed ticks from yourself, a family member or a pet. If you or someone in your family gets a rash after being bitten by a tick, it’s imperative that you see a doctor right away to begin a regimen of antibiotics.”
Safeguarding against this disease is imperative, Dr. Ryan noted. “Although the medical community has been reluctant to give credence to a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease, they do recognize that some patients continue to have problems even after treatment. Ongoing symptoms have included fatigue, body aches, joint aches, brain fog, arthritis, headaches and a general malaise that oftentimes does not show up in bloodwork,” Dr. Ryan said. “Also, people cannot count on a rash as a warning sign of Lyme disease. Only about 20 percent of those with Lyme disease even get a rash; the other 80 percent sometimes don’t even know they’ve been bitten.”
Here’s what the Infectious Diseases Society of America says about an estimated 5 percent of the population that continues to have problems after being treated for Lyme disease.
“In rare cases, people who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and properly treated have lingering symptoms, typically generalized pain, joint pain and fatigue. These symptoms have been interpreted by some to suggest the presence of chronic Borrelia burgdorferi infection.”http://www.idsociety.org/lymediseasefacts.htm.
“It’s obvious that there is a lot of controversy about Lyme disease,” Dr. Ryan said. “But why not be safe than sorry? Taking protective action can help prevent problems that will not only put a damper on summertime fun but could cause a lifetime of heartache.”
No comments:
Post a Comment