SMS HOLISTIC CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE
14 Glen Cove Road
Roslyn Heights, N.Y. 11577
523 Townline Road
Hauppauge, N.Y. 111788

(516) 484-0776
SMS Holistic Chiropractic Office

U.S. Lyme Disease Cases on the Rise:
How to Avoid This Dangerous Tick-Borne Illness

© 2018 Health Realizations, Inc. Update

 

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can cause rash, body aches and even temporary paralysis, has been growing in the United States.

In the most recent year for which data is available, 27,444 cases of Lyme disease were reported compared to under 9,000 in 1993.

tick lyme disease

Most cases of Lyme disease occur in the late spring and summer months, when ticks are most active and people spend the most time outdoors.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried primarily by black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks). If an infected tick bites you (ticks feed on blood and will attach to a host, including mice, cats, dogs or humans), it can transfer the bacteria through your skin and into your bloodstream.

Though anyone can get Lyme disease, you are most at risk if you spend a lot of time in wooded or grassy areas where ticks thrive. In the United States deer ticks in particular are most common in the Northeast and Midwest, along with northwestern states like Oregon and Washington.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

In up to 80 percent of cases, the first sign of Lyme disease is a circular rash that begins at the site of the tick bite (after about three to 30 days). The rash typically widens slowly over the course of several days. Some people also experience:

  • Fatigue

  • Chills

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Muscle and joint aches

  • Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, the infection can spread throughout your body causing more severe symptoms that include:

  • Bell’s palsy (the loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of your face)

  • Headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis

  • Heart palpitations

  • Joint pain

  • Dizziness

Keep Ticks Away Safely

kids fleas and ticks

Regular tick control products contain a dangerous mix of pesticides and chemicals that can harm your pet, your environment, and your family.

All-Natural products such as those on ingredients labels made from enzyme-based formulas where available are ideal alternatives.

Although these symptoms often resolve without treatment, about 60 percent of people with untreated Lyme disease experience arthritis and severe joint pain and swelling. And in about 5 percent of cases, chronic neurological symptoms may develop, including numbness or tingling in your hands or feet and problems with concentration and short-term memory.

How to Prevent Lyme Disease

If you eliminate the cause then there is no need for a cure, and in the case of Lyme disease the “cause” is a tick bite. So you can drastically reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease by taking the following precautions to avoid exposure to ticks:

  • Avoid tick-infested areas. Many parks and health departments have information about tick infestations.

  • Protect your pets too. AVOID using conventional flea and tick treatments on your pets that contain harmful pesticides or chemicals, such as DEET, pyrethrins, synthetic pyrethroids or permethrin, all of which can be harmful and irritating to your pet, the person applying them and our environment.

  • Keep your yard well maintained, trimmed and mowed. This will help to keep ticks away.

  • Wear long sleeves and pants. When hiking or spending any amount of time in nature, you should cover your arms and legs, and tuck your pants into your socks. This will make it much harder for a tick to attach itself to you.

What to do if You’ve Been Bitten by a Tick and Suspect You Have Lyme Disease

Keep in mind that just because you’ve been bitten by a tick it does not mean you’ll get Lyme disease. Only certain types of ticks carry Lyme disease, and of those only a minority carries the bacteria.

You should see your doctor immediately if you’ve been bitten by a tick and experience signs of Lyme disease because it is imperative to begin aggressive treatment in the initial stages. Acute Lyme disease will typically be aggressively treated with antibiotics. Intravenous antibiotic therapy is typically used in acute Lyme disease, especially when it is unresponsive to oral therapy, and in chronic or recurrent cases of Lyme disease. Complementary support with natural supplements may be used with drug therapy to fight effects of both acute and chronic cases of Lyme disease. Supportive supplements for both types of Lyme disease target enhancement of the immune system.

Note that ticks can also transmit other diseases aside from Lyme disease, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Tularemia and Colorado tick fever, so it is wise to make sure your doctor checks for and rules those out as well.


Sources

U.S. CDC, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Lyme Disease

MayoClinic.com Lyme Disease


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Address : 14 Glen Cove Road
Roslyn Heights, N.Y. 11577

523 Townline Road
Hauppauge, N.Y. 111788

Phone : (516) 484-0776
Fax : 516-484-0795
Email Address(s) : Drsmsilverman@aol.com
Website : www.drstevensilverman.com
 
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The information and statements contained in this eMagazine article by Health Realizations or any added comments herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents of this eMagazine article or additional comments are for informational purposes only are is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your reliance on any information provided by Health Realizations, its affiliates, content providers, member physicians or employees or comment contributors is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice or treatment, because of information contained in a Health Realizations eMagazine. Health Realizations does not, and cannot, recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, procedures, tests, physicians or other information that may be mentioned in a Health Realizations eMagazine.

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