| Description | | | | Loss of mental acuity |
| | | | |
| Lyme disease was named after Lyme, | | | | Irregular heartbeat or chest pain |
| Connecticut, where the disease was | | | | |
| discovered. The disease is spread by ticks, | | | | Conventional Medical Treatment |
| though only a few species of ticks carry the | | | | |
| bacterial organism that causes Lyme disease. | | | | If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, |
| One species is the deer tick, or black-legged | | | | visit your doctor immediately. If it is |
| tick, which lives in the Northeast Southern, | | | | detected and treated early, the disease often |
| and Midwestern United States. Another is the | | | | causes no lasting harm; if, on the other |
| Western black-legged tick, which inhabits the | | | | hand, it is left to worsen, it can cause |
| Pacific coastal states. Victims rarely feel | | | | permanent complications involving the joints, |
| the insect's bite because it injects an | | | | heart, and brain. Your doctor can diagnose |
| anesthetic (which numbs the area of skin) | | | | the condition with a blood test. Treatment |
| both when it punctures the skin and when it | | | | for Lyme disease includes antibiotics to |
| withdraws. Many experts believe that the tick | | | | fight the bacteria and aspirin to help |
| must be attached to the body for at least 24 | | | | relieve any joint inflammation. |
| hours for infection to occur. | | | | |
| | | | Complementary and Alternative Treatments |
| The first symptoms of Lyme disease appear | | | | |
| anywhere from 3 to 32 days after infection. | | | | Nutrition and Supplementation |
| One of the most recognizable early signs is a | | | | |
| circular, red "bull's-eye" rash at the site | | | | Garlic is a natural immune booster, so you |
| of the bite (though the rash does not appear | | | | would benefit from eating it in its natural |
| in many cases). In its initial stages, other | | | | state or taking it in supplement form. "Green |
| symptoms of the illness resemble those of the | | | | drinks" provide chlorophyll, which |
| fluintermittent fatigue, fever, nausea, | | | | detoxifies, along with vital nutrients and |
| headache, and chills. If the condition is not | | | | enzymes. These can be found in your natural |
| treated in its early stages, serious | | | | foods store. |
| secondary symptoms can occur weeks or months | | | | |
| later. These include arthritis, joint | | | | To improve your condition, follow these |
| disability, muscle problems, and heart, | | | | recommended daily guidelines: |
| nervous system, and even brain disorders. | | | | |
| | | | Most Importantessential fatty acids (as |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | directed on label)-reduce joint stiffness and |
| | | | inflammationpancreatin and bromelain (as |
| Circular "bulls eye" rash, often with a red | | | | directed on label)-aid digestionevening |
| border and clear center, at the site of a | | | | primrose oil (1000 mg 2 to 3 times |
| tick bite | | | | daily)-combats pain and inflammation |
| | | | |
| Headache | | | | Also Recommendedgarlic (as directed on |
| | | | label)kelp (1000 to 1500 mg)-detoxifies the |
| Fever and chills | | | | bodyselenium (200 mcg)-a free radical |
| | | | scavengermultivitamin and mineral complex (as |
| Body aches | | | | directed on label)-use a high-potency formula |
| | | | for necessary nutrientsglutathione (600 |
| Sore throat | | | | mg)thymic extract (as directed on |
| | | | label)maitake D fraction (as directed on |
| Joint pain and inflammation | | | | label)-boosts immunity |
| | | | |
| Fatigue | | | | (Consult your healthcare provider regarding |
| | | | the duration of treatment. |