Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Guide To Living With Lyme Disease

By Beryl Dalton


For many people, chronic Lyme disease is a big problem. Symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years. Some people do not enter remission permanently. Regardless of the duration, learning about living with Lyme disease is an important step to maintaining a good quality of life despite symptoms. To accomplish this, there are some things to keep in mind.

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.

Probiotics can be very beneficial, especially while taking antibiotics. While you are taking antibiotics, the bacteria in your intestines are killed. Probiotics help to perform the job the bacteria would normally do. The probiotics can work to prevent certain digestive conditions, such as clostrium difficile infection, and help maintain a better digestive cycle.

When diagnosed with Lyme disease, it is quite common to also suffer from a co-infection. Many sufferers have this issue and the infections can range from Chlamydia to bacterial pneumonia. They require immediate attention and treatment to avoid permanent damage since the immune system does not have the ability to fight these infections on its own.

Your diet is important, regardless of whether you are being treated with antibiotic therapy or not. Especially during treatment, and immediately following, foods with sugar should be avoided. The remaining bad bacteria in the intestines will thrive off the sugar and can lead to developing digestive conditions.

If you have a severe case of the disease or you have an issue with tolerating oral medications, you may require an IV port during your treatment course. This port will allow you to get the medications you need directly through your bloodstream. Do not attempt to change the dressings on your own. An experienced professional should be changing your dressings once a week. Pay attention, however, to the site. You need to watch for clotting, which can be evident if the skin turns gray, purple, or blue. It is also important to monitor your temperature and the site for signs of infection.

Build a network of people who will support you through your struggles with this disease. Involve close friends and family as much as possible. You may also find that joining a support group can be helpful in teaching you how to get through the bad days and celebrate the good ones.

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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