5 Traditional Treatments of Lyme Disease

With the vast symptoms manifested by Lyme disease, the treatment given is specific to the symptoms involved. Here are some of the traditional remedies found to be effective and useful: antibiotics, pain relievers, Lyme detoxification, surgery, and alternative treatments.

Lyme disease is an infection that usually occurs with other medical conditions. Various signs and symptoms are exhibited and can sometimes be confused with other illnesses. To effectively treat such conditions, early diagnosis must be made so that a remedy can be given at an early stage. Delayed therapy contributes to the progression of the disease and can greatly affect its prognosis. Medical attention should be given as soon as possible and includes:

Antibiotics

Since Lyme is an infectious disease, the mainstay treatment is antibiotics, which are antibacterial agents. They may be introduced into the body either orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the condition. During early stages of the disease, oral antibiotics have proven to be sufficient in fighting against the bacteria. However, for severe cases, antibiotics must be injected intravenously to allow fast absorption. Among the wide range of antibacterial medicines, the bacteria are most responsive to Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Rocephin,and Azothromycin. However, these should be given only by a certified physician because some are contraindicated to patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have allergies, or are very young children. Although a course of antibiotics is considered effective, the duration of treatment is definitely indeterminable. Long-term management of Lyme disease is a must to ensure complete recovery. However, several factors influence the overall effectiveness of antibiotics such as time of diagnosis and extent of affectation.

Pain relievers

Due to the presence of headaches and muscle and joint pain, some patients need to take pain relievers to alleviate symptoms. This can't cure the disease. Instead it only provides temporary relief of symptoms. The frequently prescribed pain relieving medications include ibuprofen and NSAIDS.

Lyme detoxification

As soon as bacteria die, toxins are released, which can cause harmful effects in the body. Although our body, particularly the liver and kidneys, is capable of cleansing the body, it is imperative to get rid of toxins through a detoxification process. The longer the dead bacteria stay inside the body, the more unsafe they become.

Surgery

With knee affectation, such as arthritis, a surgery called synovectomy is sometimes indicated. This involves removal of the inflamed joint lining that causes the limitation of motion. However, doctors may also require arthrocentesis in case fluid accumulates within the joint. Patients are given a localized anesthesia before the fluid is removed with a syringe.

Alternative treatment

Because of the multifaceted characteristic of this disease, medical professionals often resort to a combination of treatments to further intensify their effects. Aside from the traditional remedies, they incorporate physical therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, and other similar modalities because doctors and practitioners believe on their benefits. Alternative treatments may not be theoretically proven to be effective, but many patients often recover from Lyme disease with their help.

Since the effects Lyme disease brings can be very debilitating, proper and prompt medical attention must be given. While there is no single management proven to be more effective than the other available treatments, the role of a specialist is vital in making the therapy successful.