Herbal, home and homeopathic remedies have acquired renewed significance in curbing the symptoms of Lyme arthritis. Owing to the fact roots and herbs contain antioxidant properties; it is a much preferred solution for most arthritis sufferers today. Find ways to manage your joint pain and swelling with the help of natural cures listed in the article below.

Natural remedies seem to be the order of the day for treating every ailment of late. Researchers are of the opinion that plants and herbs contain antioxidants that help in clearing the body off all impurities. Lyme arthritis typically affects the knee joints. This disease is caused due to tick bites that carry the Burgdorferi bacterium. The wear and tear of cartilages at the knee joint is the result of this bacterium.

Experts believe that herbal extracts, kitchen remedies and homeopathic medicines can help reduce the symptoms of Lyme arthritis. This is brought about by gradually clearing the joints off all impurities and by pumping fresh blood into the affected areas.

Herbal Remedies for Lyme Arthritis

Studies show that herbs strengthen and tone the immune system. Herbal extracts are available in three forms namely dried, glycerine or alcohol extracts. Consider the following herbs for managing your knee joint pain:

• Green tea extracts from the carnellia sinensis herb contains anti-inflammatory properties helpful for curing joint pain and swelling.
• The Ginkgo extract taken thrice daily is a powerful antioxidant.
• The Cat’s Claw extract also contains powerful antioxidant properties.
• The Reishi Mushroom extract taken thrice daily can also help in building the immunity levels and in reducing the inflammation and pain at joints.
• The Olive leaf extract taken thrice daily again helps in curing joint pain.
• Garlic can also help in reducing the symptoms of Lyme arthritis and in building the immunity levels of the body.

Kitchen or Home Remedies for Lyme Arthritis

Kitchen remedies for reducing the symptoms of Lyme arthritis are listed here below:

• Include fresh fruits and vegetable in your diet as they are rich in antioxidants.
• Use healthy cooking oils like olive and/or vegetable oil.
• Grape juice and pectin containing gelatin powders like certo are effective for treating joint pain.
• 1 to 2 capsules or 1 tablespoon of fish oil can reduce inflammation and improve immunity levels.
• Take multivitamin tablets everyday or alter your diet to include essential vitamins, minerals and calcium.

Homeopathy Medicines for Lyme Arthritis

Homeopathic remedies are usually recommended after examining the mental, physical and intellectual states of a person. Studies show that in some cases, the homeopaths do not consider the three states. They simply suggest remedies specific to a person and that which suits the individual’s needs.

Some homeopathic remedies for Lyme arthritis include the following:

• Arsenicum album
• Borellia burgdorferi nosode
• Carcinosin
• Lac canimum
• Ledum
• Mercurius

Acupuncture, stress management and chiropractic therapies are other alternatives for relieving pain from joints, increasing mobility and range of motion. Discuss the suitability and effectiveness of any treatment with your doctor for managing the symptoms of Lyme arthritis.

Exercise and massage therapy are alternative methods to control the symptoms of Lyme arthritis. Studies show that once the symptoms of Lyme arthritis are controlled, exercise and massage can follow to improve joint health. Explore the benefits of exercise and massage for reducing joint inflammation and pain in the article below.

The Borellia Burgdorferi Spirochete bacterium carried by infected ticks is capable of causing severe inflammatory conditions in humans. Lyme arthritis is a disease that results from bites caused by ticks. Experts from the Tufts University School of Medicine state that the knee joint is the most commonly affected area in the Lyme arthritis.

A rigorous exercise program is considered to be effective in treating the symptoms of Lyme arthritis. Doctors usually recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles and joints after the symptoms are checked to considerable extents.

Types of Exercises for Lyme Arthritis

The exercises recommended by doctors for Lyme arthritis include:

• Strengthening exercises
• Stretch or flexibility exercises
• Range of motion exercises

Benefits of Exercise for Lyme Arthritis

The benefits of exercise for Lyme arthritis are listed here below:

• Improves the stiff condition of joints
• Increases flexibility of muscles and joints
• Strengthens the joints and muscles
• Increases blood circulation
• Makes movement easy

The secret to healthy knees and joints is therefore a strict exercise regime. Consult your doctor before engaging in one.

Massage Therapy for Lyme Arthritis

Another natural treatment for curing the Lyme arthritis symptoms is a hot oil massage. Massage is the technique of applying pressure to the deep seated soft tissues located between the joints and muscles. Consult a doctor or physical therapist to decide on suitable and effective massage techniques to heal your knee joint pain.

Lyme arthritis is the only inflammatory condition that has a specific cause which can be detected and cured. So treat your joints with self care, exercise and massage that can help clear the symptoms as early as possible.

Lyme arthritis primarily targets the knee joints. The disease is caused by tick bites which carry the borellia burgdorferi bacterium. Studies show that the burgdorferi can cause the wearing down of cartilages at joints. Discover ways to keep ticks out of your body and your living premises by reading the article below.

The “Lyme disease” is caused by a tick-borne infection. Also known as “Borreliosis”, it is said to be caused by bacteria from the genus Borellia. This disease is transmitted by tiny insects called ticks. Ticks thrive in dense woody forest regions where there is abundant vegetation, grass and bushes. The insects are hard to detect because they are as small as specs of pepper or sand.

Earlier, the Lyme disease was more prevalent in Europe but it has recently been observed in the United States as well. Experts are of the opinion that untreated Lyme disease can make recovery slow. Worse still, it can leave behind the symptoms even after the infection is ousted with. One of the most serious outcomes of untreated or neglected Lyme disease is “arthritis”.

Lyme arthritis is a severe condition of inflammation, pain and stiffness felt mainly at the knee joints. It is caused by the painless bite of an infected tick. It is therefore unlikely for a Lyme arthritis sufferer to recall the bite. The tick remains embedded in the skin long before it falls off. One way to reduce the adversities of the bite is to pick the insects with a tweezer.

Causes of Lyme Arthritis

Lyme arthritis is caused by the bacteria injected with the bite of the ixodes scapularis tick. This germ or bacterium that infects the bloodstream is called the “Borellia Burgdorferi Spirochete”. The life span of the ixodes scapularis tick is two years over which it covers the larva, nymph and adult stage. At its final or adult stage the insect feeds on the blood of mammals.

While sucking the blood, the microscopic tick transports the bacterium into the bloodstream. This harmful bacterium called the Borellia Burgdorferi eventually travels through the entire body. When neglected, the bacterium has the capacity of infecting the joints, the nervous system, heart and the skin. The visible symptoms of the infected parts are marked by stiffness, swelling and pain.

Two types of tick carry the bacteria namely:

• The deer ticks
• The western black-legged ticks

Symptoms of Lyme Arthritis

Skin rashes and flu like symptoms coupled with fatigue, joint aches and nausea are the initial landmarks of the Lyme disease. Joint pain occurs immediately after the rashes appear. In the absence of skin rashes the typical symptoms of arthritis are helpful in confirming the Lyme disease.

The most common symptoms of Lyme arthritis are a result of the Lyme disease. The Lyme disease occurs in three stages with typically associated symptoms as listed below:

• The initial symptoms are red skin rashes.
• The following symptoms with or without the presence of skin rashes include, chills, fever, headache, joint aches, fatigue, stiff neck, backache, sore throat, nausea and vomiting.
• The third and final stage is when the infection severely affects the joints, heart and the nervous system causing inflammation and pain.

Diagnosis for Lyme Arthritis

The diagnosis for Lyme arthritis includes the following tests:

• A blood test called the “ELISA” test is conducted to detect the presence of antibodies fighting against the Burgdorferi bacteria.
• A more reliable and accurate test called the “WESTERN BLOT ASSAY ANTIBODY TEST” is conducted to identify the antibodies present.

Researchers are of the opinion that blood tests are not always positive for determining the Lyme disease. Typical symptoms and one month’s history of the bite can however help in confirming Lyme arthritis.

Treatment for Lyme Arthritis

Treatments available for curing Lyme arthritis include the following options:

• Oral antibiotics are the most preferred medicines to reduce Lyme arthritis symptoms. Doxycycline or amoxicillin are some of the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
• Intravenous drugs are required for severe nervous system disorders.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to reduce the swelling and pain at joints.
• The doctor may suggest removing the fluids from the joint through a procedure called “arthrocentesis”.
• Cortisone injections can be injected into the affected joint for immediate relief.

When to consult a doctor?

A “bull’s eye” rash on the skin should be immediately brought to the attention of a doctor. This visible symptom can help in analyzing the severity of the symptoms to follow and the effective ways to treat them. After carrying out a thorough medical examination of your disease, the doctor will arrive on a suitable treatment for you.

Tips to Prevent Lyme Arthritis

Lyme arthritis can be prevented through self care measures listed here below:

• Always wear protective clothing when out in the woods or grassy areas.
• Use insect repellants to keep the ticks out of sight.
• Clean, dust and brush your pets, furniture and clothes more often.
• Remove ticks with tweezers from your skin.
• Wash the area of the skin with water, soap or a disinfectant after removing it with a tweezer.

Lyme arthritis symptoms are effectively cured with antibiotics within one to three weeks. Since tick bites are invisible and painless, the symptoms are on the other hand visible. So consult a doctor to avoid further complications.