Handling Chronic Lyme Disease – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection often transmitted by ticks. Its onset is marked by flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue and headaches. A rash near the bite is also a common symptom. If caught early, lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. If missed, however, the disease can worsen and become much more complicated to treat as it spreads to the heart and nervous system.

Because the early symptoms of Lyme Disease are quite mild, many people don't think to seek treatment until the infection has had a chance to take hold. This can lead to complications down the line. Moreover, antibiotics may not kill all of the infection, and people with immune systems weakened by other diseases or constant EMF exposure may develop chronic symptoms even after a round of antibiotics.

When Lyme Disease Symptoms Won't Go Away

Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), sometimes called Chronic Lyme Disease, is a disorder affecting as many as 20% of people formerly treated for Lyme Disease. The symptoms include severe fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, neuropathy and vision troubles. These symptoms persist for months after treatment and can worsen over time.

Although most cases of PTLDS do resolve themselves, it can take months and doctors are still unclear on exactly what's causing the symptoms or how to properly treat them. Some doctors will prescribe long-term antibiotics, but studies have shown that this treatment is no more effective than a placebo: Although the symptoms are in line with Lyme Disease, they don't seem to be caused by the presence of live bacteria, which makes antibiotics useless in these cases. Moreover, long-term antibiotic use can cause other problems, like antibiotic resistance.

A more likely explanation for PTLDS is that it's an autoimmune disorder triggered by the initial infection. Today, many people suffer from worn down immune systems as a result of their contact with electromagnetic fields. EMFs are responsible for creating stress hormones and weakening cell structure, both of which prevent the body from fully healing itself. In that environment, it's hardly surprising that a serious infection like Lyme Disease could cause lingering symptoms in patients.

Treatments for Lyme Disease Symptoms

Although medical science is still looking for solutions for Chronic Lyme Disease, there are a few things you can do to help ease your symptoms:

-        Give your immune system a rest by using an EMF protection system. This will shield you from the electromagnetic fields generated by cell phones, wifi hot spots and other electrical devices and give your body a chance to repair itself naturally.

-        Talk with your doctor about symptom management. Some doctors have found that treating PTLDS like fibromyalgia or other similar pain disorders can be very effective.

-        Rule out other disorders. Other autoimmune disorders and even EMF sensitivity can display similar symptoms. Try treatments for similar disorders to determine whether you can rule them out.

-        Focus on your own health by eating well and getting enough sleep. This will help keep your immune system healthy and offset the severity of most symptoms.

The good news is that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't last forever, and you can learn to manage your symptoms until they clear up entirely. By focusing on the health of your immune system as a whole, you can get yourself on the road to recovery. 

Guest post by: Aleta