Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States and Europe. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is usually carried by a deer tick in the nymph stage.
Symptoms of Lyme disease vary widely. The more common symptoms of the condition include fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain and stiffness, abnormal heart rhythms, insomnia, and depression.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were nearly 40,000 cases of Lyme disease in 2009. However, many experts estimate the number to be considerably higher.
When Medical Doctors Fail
The most worrisome issue surrounding Lyme disease is not the disease itself, but rather that it is often very difficult to diagnose. The tests used in most medical clinics are highly prone to false negatives, which means that the tests don’t find the disease even though it’s there. In addition, many doctors grossly misunderstand Lyme disease and misdiagnose it as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis or, worst of all, a figment of the patient’s imagination.
Medical doctors’ lack of understanding of the disease also leads to misconceptions about treatment. Most assume that if antibiotics don’t work, there is nothing that can be done, and so patients are doomed to live with the symptoms of the disease for the rest of their lives.
The Integrated Approach
However, even patients who have suffered from Lyme disease for a considerable length of time can recover with the right treatments. Although antibiotics are, unfortunately, unavoidable, they are not the only necessary component. Patients should also employ homeopathic remedies and supplements like fish oil and CoQ10, visit a chiropractor and regularly, take baths in Epsom salts, and make regular trips to a dry-heat sauna. These last two activities are beneficial because Lyme bacteria have an aversion to heat; in addition, saunas and Epsom salt baths help to flush out toxins and cleanse the body.
Remaining active is essential. Although physical activity is usually more difficult with Lyme disease, the muscles need activity to remain strong. Also, exercise assists in many of the body’s necessary functions, in addition to releasing endorphins, which make a person feel good.
Unfortunately, finding a clinic that understands your needs can be difficult. That’s why an ideal clinic is one that has both a homeopath and a medical doctor on staff. This way, a patient has access to the antibiotics she needs, but will also be able to access the full spectrum of alternative medicines options. Additionally, going to one clinic -- compared with two or three -- ensures that your care is efficient and focused because the doctors can easily discuss cases together when necessary.
Mind Over Body
Finally, it is essential that mindset be taken into consideration. People who spend a great amount of time and energy obsessing over their condition are more likely to be sick longer. For some, counseling might be a helpful option. For others -- and this is my personal recommendation from my experience with Lyme disease -- energy medicine like Reiki, Matrix Energetics, and Emotional Freedom Technique prove best. Above all, stay positive.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
SEE ALSO: A Spiritually Evolved Person's Guide to Chronic Illness
Lyme Disease, The Mayo Clinic, accessed February 9, 2011
Minnesota Natural Medicine, accessed February 9, 2011
Reported Cases of Lyme Disease by Year, United States 1995-2009, Centers for Disease Control, accessed February 9, 2011
Symptoms of Lyme Disease, Wrong Diagnosis, accessed February 9, 2011
