Treating Lyme Disease Naturally

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http://cindeegardner.com/boom11.htm About HomeopathyNationally RenownedHomeopath on StaffClinical ServicesContact UsArcheus Productsand SuppliesSubscribe to ournewsletter;"Vibrant Health".Archivedpublished articlesHomeTreating Lyme Disease Naturally.by Cindee Gardner, Ph.D., HD (RHom), D. Hom., C. Hom.Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States with approximately 16,000 new cases reported each year. The disorder was first identified in 1975 when a group of children in Lyme, Connecticut experienced mysterious arthritis-like symptoms.The deer tick carrying the bacterium B. burgdorferi is responsible for the spread of the disease in the United States. Cases have been reported in nearly all states and the disease is also on the rise in large areas of Asia and Europe.In my opinion the conventional system of medicine has failed in the treatment of Lyme disease because the emphasis is, as with other illnesses, to kill the offender. Unfortunately this means suppressing and weakening the immune response as well. A holistic approach which focuses on the state of health of the whole person is a much more reasonable approach to this disorder. Using a combination of Homeopathy, Herbs, Vitamins and other health enhancing products can stimulate the immune response and strengthen the organs and systems affected by the disease. This results in a permanent and complete restoration of health.Stages and symptoms of Lyme Disease:1. In approximately 80% of the cases a small red spot appears between 3 and 30 days after a tick bite. The spot expands over time, forming a circle or oval sometimes resembling a bull's eye. The rash can range in size from that of a dime to the entire width of a person's back. As the infection spreads rashes can appear at different places on the body. 50% of the patients experience flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, stiff neck, body aches, muscular pains and fatigue.2. Weeks to months later the disease continues to progress causing the development of any of a number of neurological signs such as Bells palsy, stiff neck and severe headache (which may be indicative of meningitis), temporary paralysis, pain or weakness in the limbs and poor motor coordination. 8% of the people affected can develop cardiac abnormalities such as palpitations, lightheadedness, fainting, chest pain and shortness of breath.3. Months to years later as the condition continues to progress 60% of cases develop a condition characterized as chronic articular or rheumatoid arthritis.Risk Factors:According to statistics, the following factors increase the risk for developing Lyme disease... Environment: exposure to heavily wooded areas, and parks,• Season: infection is most likely during the summer and fall.• Age: most common in children and young adults.• Location: 90 percent of cases occur in the coastal northeast, as well as in Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, and Oregon.Diagnosis:Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because many of its symptoms mimic those of other disorders. About one quarter of people with Lyme disease do not develop a rash. A blood test may confirm the presence of the bacterium.I do not recommend the common practice of a spinal tap unless it is absolutely necessary. This practice is common in the modern medical system to detect brain and spinal cord inflammation and to examine antibodies or genetic material of B. burgdorferi in the spinal fluid.The beauty of working with an experienced Homeopathic Consultant, is that after taking a full case analysis (which consists of examining the history, etiology, signs and individual symptoms of the person) he / she will come to the same grouping of remedies and herbs anyway. Whether you attach a name or pathology to the ailment or look up the symptomology, most of the Homeopathic remedies will be the same. Homeopathy, as an art and science, was developed many years before there were microscopes to see the actual bacteria and virii. The correctly chosen remedy and potency stimulated the system to heal itself. It is also vital to not put the weakened system under any more stress than necessary. Health destroying drugs and invasive therapies work against the vital or healing forces of the body.Prevention:The best defense against Lyme disease is to guard against tick bites. Avoid heavily wooded areas, wear protective clothing, and apply tick repellent. Wear light-colored clothing (which makes ticks easier to detect), do a careful inspection of your body after outdoor activities in wooded or grassy areas, and, if ticks are found, remove them with tweezers. Be prepared. If you plan to go into a wooded area, take a Homeopathic Emergency Kit with you or at least a few remedies and first aid supplies.Add Borr. Nosode (see Homeopathics) to your emergency kit.Homeopathics:In every case of Lyme disease Homeopathic texts suggest starting with a nosode (a remedy made from the actual borrelia burgdorferi) in a 30c potency. One dose three times daily is given for three days. If this remedy is given in the early stages, you can actually stop the disease from developing.After careful analysis, we give one of the following remedies based on the symptoms of the disease and the health of the person. Please refer to a Homeopathic Materia Medica for indications and potency selection. Due to the nature of this disease and the fact that you'll need to adjust the remedies and potencies in order to restore complete health, we suggest working with a Professional if you don't see good results within the first two weeks after having started on the chosen Homeopathic remedy.• Use low potencies several times a day.• These are the remedies that I have used successfully in my practice with the predominant symptoms.• Sepia and Tellurium in the first stages of the disease.• Then follow with indications:• Arnica for muscle pain and soreness.• Gelsemium for overall weakness.• Rhus Tox for stiffness and pain worse cold or damp weather and better by continued movement.• Arsenicum for extreme restlessness and burning pains.• Mercury for sore throat, mouth ulcers, and excess salivation.• Carcinocin, Lac Caninium, and Thuja have been used also in Europe and Asia with good success.Herbs:Herbs are concentrated foods for the organs, and immune response. I use a combination blend of medicinally processed whole plant herbs using all three Echinaceas called Super Echinacea. Then I add Cordyseps Tincture and make a tea of it. This well-known herb combination from Tibet has been shown in clinical studies to improve stamina, decrease fatigue, increase energy and to enhance lung and antioxidant function. It is the only compound known to raise Superoxide Dismutase activity. If other symptoms are present we add the appropriate herbal combinations to address those as well. If there are arthritis symptoms add Arthritis Combo. If there is weakness, add Adrenal Aid.Nutrition/Diet AidsEssential fatty acids: Studies show that when EFAs are taken regularly, statistically significant improvements in fatigue, aches, weakness, vertigo, dizziness, memory, concentration and depression are likely. There are two broad classes, GLA and EPA, which are derived respectively from plant and fish oils. I suggest a good cold pressed combination formula to reduce inflammation. Use more than the indicated amount if disease has progressed into the rheumatoid stage. Take for a minimum of four months. improvement continues to occur over time.CO-Q 10 (ubiquinone): Deficiencies have been related to poor functioning of the heart, limitations of stamina, and poor resistance to infections. Tissue biopsy studies have resulted in the recommendation that a patient with chronic Lyme should take between 200 and 300 mg daily of standard brands, or 90 mg daily of the pharmaceutical quality product as directed. Improvements do not begin for several weeks. The body will manufacture its own CO-Q 10 when the original infection is controlled but only if stimulated by aggressive exercise.Vitamin B: Clinical studies demonstrated the need for supplemental vitamin B in infections with other Borrelia to help clear neurological symptoms. I use B Right for daily use and Stress B formula if the person is under stress or has been in the past.Magnesium: Magnesium supplementation is very helpful for muscle pain and spasms, headaches, tremors, twitches, cramps, muscle soreness, heart skips and weakness. It may also help in energy level and cognition. We also recommend a liquid herbal form of calcium made from plant sources (Herbal Calcium or Calcium Elixir). They work synergistically and both are easily assimilated when taken together. Calcium from inorganic sources such as calcium carbonate is not recommended.Multi vitamin: I recommend using an herbal form of whole food vitamins, liquid preferred, or non-heated, capsulized one. Herbal Vitamins is one of the top brands available. Take between two and eight daily according to the diet.Super aloe-vera juice 10,000 MPS aloe with the aloin (a harsh laxative) removed, cold pressed and processed, whole leaf, potency protects the intestinal tract. Take two ounces twice a day with probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus (refrigerated brands only) to restore normal levels of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.I believe that the body can heal itself of any disorder if given the proper stimulus. Lyme disease is no exception. It makes sense to try an approach that will work with your immune system instead of against it. Never settle for being told that something is incurable. Get empowered. Get well!The office of Dr. Cindee Gardner Ph.D., D.Hom., C.Hom. is located at 2324 Marbury Road Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221.For private consultations:412-243-3010For information on products mentioned in this article call 412-243-7475.I'm tired of struggling with this on my own, and would like to work with a professional homeopath.Return to the index of articlesReturn to the top of the page.