Dealing with Lyme disease can be a long, drawn out battle for some. Early treatment, however, can drastically increase your odds of success and a full, rapid, recovery. While antibiotics are the primary method of treatment, more holistic methods can sometimes be effective as well. Holistic therapies are becoming increasingly important as Lyme disease infection numbers increase and as bacteria  in general become more resistant to antibiotic use. Always talk to your doctor first when considering how to treat any disease. This information is for educational purposes only on how to treat lyme disease. 

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the primary method of treating Lyme disease and, if used early enough, can completely eradicate the bacteria that cause Lyme in order to ensure a full recovery. These antibiotics are most commonly taken orally, but more severe Lyme cases can require the use of intravenous treatments.

The three most common antibiotics used for early Lyme disease treatment are doxycycline, cefuroxime axetil, and amoxicillin, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The dosage and frequency of the treatment regimen will vary based on the patient’s age, but expect to take two to three doses throughout the day for anywhere between 10 to 21 days. ILADS practitioner may give 30 days or more of antibiotics, depending on the clinical picture. 

For intravenous treatments, ceftriaxone or penicillin may be used, but this is usually for severe cases where neurological or cardiac issues are present. For these treatments, there are side effects such as a lower white blood cell count, diarrhea, and possible secondary infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria unrelated to Lyme.

After the antibiotic treatment is complete, a patient may still suffer from fatigue and muscle aches. This is commonly known as post-Lyme disease syndrome or chronic Lyme disease and further antibiotic treatment does not usually seem to help. 

Herbal Protocols

Some people may not be interested in pharmaceutical antibiotics since they cause gut disruption and are less effective the longer a patient has been infected. There are herbs that have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. Microbes appear to have a harder time developing resistance to plant based antimicrobials than they do to pharmaceutical antibiotics. Various types of herbs can decrease inflammation, enhance the immune system, and promote blood circulation and oxygenation in the body. 

Examples of herbal protocols are the Buhner protocol, Cowden protocol, and Byron White formulations. If you choose herbal options instead of or in addition to traditional pharmaceutical antibiotics, we recommend working with an herbalist or practitioner experienced in this area.

Some of the most common herbs used in treating Lyme disease are Japanese knotweed root, skullcap, cat’s claw bark, and banderol.

Ozone Therapy

While not intended to be inhaled directly into the body, small amounts of Ozone have been used in European medicine for over 100 years. When administered responsibly by medical professionals, Ozone can be non-toxic to humans while helping to treat Lyme disease. Ozone has a sterilizing effect that can be utilized to fight the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. It can be administered intravenously or rectally in small doses. It is important to remember that the medical Ozone used to fight Lyme disease is different from the Tropospheric Ozone that is formed from air pollution and is harmful to the body. You can learn more about how Ozone is used in treating Lyme disease here. 

Whole Body Hyperthermia

Other holistic methods include using Hyperthermia to treat Lyme. The main premise of this treatment is to heat the body to a degree that kills off the bacteria that causes the disease. This idea sounds drastic until you think about how a fever is the body’s natural response to other types of illnesses. In fact, recent studies including one published by the Journal of Thoracic Disease and the US National Institute of Health discusses the benefits of fevers and their role in combating illnesses. However, it is important to keep in mind that extreme temperatures in the body can cause other damaging effects so, much like Ozone therapy, treatments such as this should only be conducted by medical professionals and with the approval of your doctor. For a consultation and more information, contact us.

Addressing All Areas of Your Life

Especially for chronic or complicated cases, getting well means looking beyond just the physical and addressing mental, emotional, environmental, and spiritual issues that may be affecting you. A functional medicine approach utilizes diet and lifestyle as the mainstay of sustained health and takes into consideration things like stress, detoxification, social connections, rest, play, and sleep. Working with a health coach can help you explore some of these other areas such as negative thought patterns and stress management. Lyme Support’s health coaches are accountability partners who understand your journey and can support you on your healing path.

Conclusion

With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria worrying doctors around the globe, further education and research on alternative methods such as Ozone therapy and Hyperthermia to treat disease is critical. In the meantime, antibiotics are the most effective solution for treating acute Lyme disease. Talk with your doctor before undertaking any treatment and, for a free consultation on the full range of holistic options to treat Lyme disease, give us a call today.

References:

https://www.ilads.com/research-literature/controversies-challenges

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/treatment/index.html

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/sep/11/bacteria-developing-new-ways-resist-antibiotics-doctors-warn

https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374655

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/treatment/index.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703655/