Lyme's Disease

Lyme's Disease is becoming more prevalent. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 300,000 cases were reported last year. This represents a 25-fold increase. More troubling is that the disease, which was mainly rampant in the northeast, is spreading outward, across the United States into the interior of the continent. Deer are usually blamed for spreading the ticks which are infected with Lyme's Disease. However, recent research shows that it is actually rodents, mice in particular, that account for the bulk of infection. Ticks are not born with the bacteria that produce Lyme's Disease. They pick these spirochetes up when they attach and feed on an infected host. Ticks feeding on mice are 75-95% likely to become infected. Ticks feeding on deer only have a 1% chance of becoming infected. While ticks transmit most of the Lyme's Disease reported in this country, the bacteria can also be spread by other biting and blood-sucking insects. This list includes mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, and mites. Symptoms of Lyme's Disease usually start with a recurring fever and unrelenting fatigue. Often headaches and migraines along with aching muscles and joints also occur. If left untreated the progression of the disease continues to muscle spasms, loss of coordination, intermittent paralysis, meningitis and heart involvement. The bacteria which causes Lyme's Disease is called B. Burgdorferi. It is shaped like a corkscrew which allows it to burrow into the body's tissues and effectively "hide" from antibiotics. Lyme's Disease is also called the "great imitator" because it can mimic many other disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ALS, ADHD, and even Alzheimer's Disease. This elusive bacteria can make blood testing for Lyme's Disease difficult. This strain of bacteria is capable of infecting your white blood cells. If your white blood cells are infected, they will not respond appropriately to the infection. This makes it very difficult to detect in the blood when a blood test is performed. In fact, the worse your infection is, the less likely it will be to show up in a given blood test. Often patients, with nothing showing in a blood test, are unable to find any reason why these symptoms are occurring. As with any natural protocol, you treat the totality of symptoms, not the disease. You treat a person by the symptoms they are demonstrating at the time as well as trying to eradicate the bacteria infestation. Some of the very best anti-bacterial essential oil blends are LeDeliverance, LeInsight, LeMelaPlus, LePurify, and LeSunburst. The old adage "An ounce of prevention is worth of a pound of cure," comes to mind when dealing with ticks and the transmission of Lyme's Disease. To repel insects including ticks and mosquitoes the essential oil blends LeAway or LeBeGone are most beneficial. They should be diluted in water or Miracle II Neutralizer and applied, either by misting or rubbing on, just as you would with any other insect repellent. You can also spray the diluted solution on clothing and on the bottoms of pant legs, sleeves, and hats, being careful to avoid contact with the eyes. Rose Geranium and Palmarosa, mixed with a carrier oil, can also be effective in repelling ticks. Other things to help prevent exposure: 1. Avoid tick-infested areas. Don't sit on logs or wooden stumps. 2. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent access to your legs. 3. Wear long sleeved pants and shirts. 4. Be sure to check for ticks once you return inside. Early removal is important. If you do find a tick, how to remove the tick is vital. There are many videos available showing the proper technique. LePurify, or Thyme essential oil can be effective to back a tick out once it has latched on. Peppermint oil is also said to back them out. However, some now believe that using an oil on a tick to get it to back out agitates the tick, causing it to salivate more, potentially aiding the transmission of disease-causing bugs. This is still being studied to find out whether or not it is true, so keep it in mind when choosing how to remove a tick. After the tick is removed, use Lavender essential oil on the injection site every 5 minutes for a little while to help prevent infection and swelling.