[ SHOWGSD-L ] Lyme Disease Treatment
- From: MORGAN LEWIS <shadowland22000@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd showlist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 08:20:25 -0800 (PST)
me Disease Research Database
Independent reporting on all aspects of Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Treatment
Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, though controversy exists over the
strength and length of time these antibiotics should be prescribed. Many
doctors suggest that antibiotics administered in the first few weeks after
infection seem to be effective for most patients. However, patients given
antibiotics during later stages of the disease often must stay on antibiotics
for extended courses. Extended courses of antibiotics leads to fungal
overgrowth in the gut, a condition that is often as much a problem as the Lyme
bacteria itself.
Read about the latest Lyme disease treatment on our blog.
Many Lyme-literate medical doctors are treating patients successfully with
herbal antimicrobials, which do not create the problems associated with
antibiotics. Patients report that after herbal antimicrobial treatment is
complete, they do not experience a relapse of Lyme disease symptoms although
the protocol is discontinued at some point.
Physical ActivityLyme patients are encouraged to exercise moderately, though
not to overexert. Exercise is important not only to stimulate muscles and
nerves, but also to help move the bacteria out of its hiding places in the
heart and brain, and into the bloodstream where it may be detected and
destroyed by the body's natural immune system.
Physical TherapiesChiropractic adjustments, massage therapy and acupuncture or
acupressure are recommended for pain relief. Stretching and strengthening
exercises such as Yoga or Tai Chi can soothe achey muscles and relax Lyme
sufferers who feel well enough for these pursuits. Gentle exercise during the
day can help people who may have trouble sleeping through the night.
The necessity for cautious, yet thorough detoxification is gaining increasing
attention from Lyme experts. Lyme studies have shown that the presence of heavy
metals such as mercury and aluminum in the body create conditions for the
growth and regrowth of microbes such as Lyme bacteria. As long as the metals
and other toxins remain in the body, Lyme-literate doctors say it is difficult
to totally destroy the microbes because they are in a system that is
predisposed to replicating them.
MedicationsHomeopathic and or herbal remedies are often used to help reduce
inflammation and pain. Steroidal drugs, which replicate the spirochetes, are
contra-indicated where Lyme bacteria is underlying.   Â
Lyme Treatment ControversyThe medical community is fiercely divided on how to
treat Lyme sufferers. Generally speaking, people afflicted with the disease
have three choices for treatment. The American Medical Association (AMA) and
the CDC recommend a standard protocol of thirty days of antibiotic treatment.
This protocol is observed by members of the Infectious Diseases Society of
America (IDSA).
Some Lyme expert physicians follow a protocol of antibiotics geared toward each
individual patient. Long-term use of antibiotics is necessary, in their view.
Health insurance companies tend to align with the short-term AMA protocol,
frequently denying continued coverage for Lyme patients even when the primary
physician recommends a longer course of antibiotics.
Some patients opt for no antibiotics, seeking alternative treatments instead,
with an emphasis on homeopathics, dietary and vitamin supplements and/or herbal
antimicrobials. Others may decide to use a hybrid protocol of alternative
therapies and pharmaceutical drugs.
Lyme disease treatment is an area about which medical professionals are in
much disagreement. According to the CDC, protocol for the treatment of Lyme
disease is a thirty day course of antibiotics. Lyme specialists associated with
the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, ILADS, may also agree
that when Lyme, a multi-stage illness, is diagnosed in the first stage,
treatment with antibiotics is often successful. There is evidence to suggest
that Lyme disease responds positively to antibiotic treatment at any stage. In
addition, current guidelines for the treatment of Lyme as stated by ILADS say
that it is reasonable to continue antibiotic treatment beyond what they note as
the arbitrary thirty day protocol.
Lyme Disease Treatment FactorsMany factors complicate LD treatment decisions.
For example, the diversity of symptoms present, the notorious unreliability of
Lyme tests, and the frequent occurrence of misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosed LD
patients may undergo treatment for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple
sclerosis, Parkinsonâs, or a hundred other diseases that Lyme can mimic. As a
result, they may experience temporary relief but never detect the Lyme bacteria
and fail to reach the root of the problem. With Lyme bacteria present, symptoms
may come and go with varying intensity, returning with the onslaught of any
degree of stress and seriously adding to the patientâs discomfort.
Patient Awareness and Lyme DiseasePatients who remain unaware of the underlying
Lyme bacteria causing or aggravating their condition have a diminished chance
at successful treatment. Antibiotics are effective in Lyme disease treatment,
although with varying success. Antibiotics delivered intravenously are more
effective and direct than those taken orally. Even LLMDs are not in complete
agreement about the delivery and the type of antibiotics best used in LD
treatment.
As Susan Sontag noted, âAny important disease whose causality is murky, and
for which treatment is ineffectual, tends to be awash in significance.â Lyme
disease treatment is an area that medical professionals and the growing Lyme
Disease community would benefit from deeper research and more serious study.
Resources:Â
Lee Cowden, MD, oral communicationÂ
Jean Reist, RN, oral communicationÂ
Ginger Savely, FNP, RN, oral communicationÂ
American Academy of Physicians
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Academy for Bio-Energetic and Integrative Medicine: http://www.abeim.net/Â
All copyrights Apply/Lyme Disease Research Database/2005 to present
________________________________
Lyme Disease Treatment ArticlesÂ
The main directory of Lyme disease treatment articles
Managing Lyme Disease Holistically
Self-treatment for Lyme: Understanding your immune system
A Holistic Approach To Treating Lyme
Managing chronic Lyme symptoms
Nutrition & diet are essential - Interview with Ginger Savely
Ever reached a crossroads in treatment?
Alternative treatments for Lyme
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Morgan Lewis, RPh.
Member GSDCA
President Last Hope of Georgia 501c3
"So Much to Do, So Little Time"
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