Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Guide To Living With Lyme Disease

By Beryl Dalton


If you suffer from Lyme disease, you know just how much suffering it can cause. Living with Lyme disease can be hard, but it is possible. You do not have to live completely shut in your home all the time. There are things you can do to help prevent a decline in your quality of life and increase the number of days your symptoms are in remission.

Sun sensitivity is very common. It is often a side effect of the medications being used to treat the disease, not the actual disease itself. The hours during the middle of the day can cause the most damage, resulting in becoming burned or blistered much easier. During this time of day, try to stay indoors. If outdoor exposure is unavoidable, be sure to wear clothing and accessories to block the UV rays.

Antibiotics are well known for destroying bacteria in the digestive system. This makes proper digestion a little more difficult. To combat this issue, probiotic supplements can be beneficial. Probiotics work to help the digestive system break down foods properly and help what little bacteria amounts that remain.

Be aware that people with Lyme disease are more likely to suffer from co-infections. A co-infection occurs in conjunction with this disease. These infections must be addressed and properly treated. If they are not, the immune system can be further depressed and not be able to effectively use the medications. The body may also suffer from permanent damage if a co-infection is not dealt with properly.

While taking antibiotics and for a period after, you should pay close attention to your diet. In particular, you should be avoiding sugars and foods that contain high sugar content. Since the antibiotics are killing a substantial amount of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system, the remaining bad bacteria will thrive off the sugars and continue to grow out of control, ultimately causing digestive troubles.

For patients who have a severe case or cannot tolerate oral treatments, an IV catheter port may be used to aid in proper delivery of medications. Dressing changes should be done weekly and only by a qualified professional. Watch for signs of clotting which include a purple, gray, or blue color of the arm. Also, watch for signs of possible infection such as a fever or abnormal redness at the site.

Take time to seek out individuals and create a support network. Choose family and friends that you know will help you get through both the good and bad days. It may also be helpful to join a support group. Regardless of how you choose to go, you need people that will help you through every step, including treatment and remission.

The ultimate goal is to prevent a reduction in your quality of life. Some days will be easier than others. Keep doing everything you can to ensure you stay in remission and follow your doctor's advice. Try to prevent unnecessary stress on your immune system by avoiding people who are sick or who have recently been sick.




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