Lyme Disease & Chiropractic Care
There has recently been an increase in the rate of those being infected by a bacterial infection by the name of Lyme disease.
Do you know what Lyme disease is? It is important to know what this disease is, and the symptoms that are associated with this infection. There are also certain areas in the United States that are more heavily populated with the insect that is responsible for being the carrier. Read more to find more information about Lyme disease, ways to protect yourself and treatment options for those that have been infected.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection that is transmitted from tick to human. This type of infection isn’t carried by every type of tick. The infection that causes Lyme disease is Spirochete or Borrelia burgdorferi, and is spread by ticks that feed on deer in certain parts of the United States.
What areas are most at risk of this infection?
It is important to be aware of what geographical locations in the states are most at risk of being exposed to this type of tick. Although there have been reported cases of Lyme disease in almost all of the states, there are certain areas that are prone the majority of the cases. The area of the coastal northeast and Mid-Atlantic States are the most common, which include: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Symptoms
There are stages to Lyme disease and it is important to know the symptoms of each state, and most importantly the early stage symptoms. If you live in an area that is known to carry ticks that may have been exposed to Lyme disease and have this early onset symptoms it is important to see a doctor immediately.
- Stiff neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Rash around the bitten area
The early onset symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to various diseases and conditions and while it may be easy to brush off the symptoms as a flu or cold, if you notice a bite mark or in a known Lyme and tick area, getting early treatment can avoid further damage to your heart and nervous system.
Testing & Treatment
There are a variety of tests that a doctor can perform to decipher whether you have been affected by Lyme disease.
These tests include:
- Spinal tap (for those experiencing nervous system problems),
- ELISA: blood test that measures the antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria present
- Western Blot: blood test that antibodies against proteins that are found in Lyme bacteria.
The most common form of treatment for Lyme disease are various antibiotics. The sooner the disease has been diagnosed, the better the treatment options such as antibiotics will be for the person who has been exposed.
Chiropractic Treatment
There are a few common lingering symptoms that many Lyme disease patients may experience after finishing their treatment. This after effect of treatment symptoms is referred to as Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The symptoms may include: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and achiness. While these symptoms are varied based on each individual, they can linger or gradually fade away.
Chiropractic care may help with patients and their immune system. There may be chiropractic manipulations which may help trigger a positive response in your immune system, and also help with the aches and pains that have been caused by both the Lyme disease and PTLDS. It is best to speak with your chiropractor about your current symptoms and if chiropractic care would be an option for you.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Jeremy Atkinson
