National Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Should You Be Tested
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, making it even more important to talk about what it is, how it can affect you and what the symptoms are. Most people are not aware of what Lyme disease actually is and how to watch out for it, however, it is important to catch early one, as if it is left untreated, it can cause patients to develop symptoms that are difficult to resolve, which is also known as chronic Lyme disease.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is usually transmitted by deer ticks, which are often found in wooded and grassy areas. Lyme disease is found throughout the United States, as well as more than sixty other countries. It is estimated that 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the United States alone every year, which is 1.5 times the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer and six times the number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS every year in the United States.
The symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to many other diseases, giving it the nickname of “The Great Imitator.” This disease can affect any part of the body, including the nervous system, the brain, muscles, heart, and joints. Patients who have Lyme disease are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Misdiagnosing can lead to incorrect treatments and can make symptoms worse.
Early Symptoms of Lyme’s Disease
Due to the fact that Lyme disease can be mistaken for several other health conditions, it is important to be aware of the early signs of Lyme Disease. Early signs patients should be on the look out for include:
⦁Flu-like illness
⦁Fever
⦁Chills
⦁Sweats
⦁Muscle aches
⦁Fatigue
⦁Nausea
⦁Joint pain
⦁Bell’s palsy (facial drooping)
⦁Rash shaped like a bull’s eye
If Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated at an early stage, it can develop into chronic Lyme disease and can spread to other organs of the body.
Testing for Lyme’s Disease
One way patients can test for Lyme disease is a test that measures the patient’s antibody response to the infection. However, most people don’t start to develop the antibody response the test measures until four to six weeks after they received the infection. Another way patients can find out if they have Lyme disease is by checking their symptoms. Patients can ask themselves if they’ve been exposed to places that would have ticks (camp sites, hiking, riding horses, or wooded and grassy areas), if they recall being bitten by a tick, if they have noticed a skin rash, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or any other early signs of Lyme disease.
Ultra Violet Blood Irradiation
Due to the fact that Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, Ultra Violet Blood Irradiation (UBI) can be a great therapy to kill the bacteria, heal the infection, and energize the body. UBI therapy helps patients use the healing power of the sun’s rays by putting it directly into their bloodstream. With the amount of antibiotic resistant infections increasing and the desire for natural therapies, UBI has become more popular.
Improve Symptoms of Lyme Disease at Angel Longevity
We aim to help our patients obtain their health goals with only the latest technology available at Angel Longevity. Our staff is experienced in helping people face a wide variety of health concerns, including Lyme disease. If you are experiencing early signs, or even late signs, of Lyme disease, don’t hesitate to call our Los Angeles office at (818) 930-5706 to set up a consultation with our Lyme’s disease specialist.
