Lyme Disease Treatment And Prognosis

Antibiotics are often prescribed for patients with Lyme disease. They are usually administered orally but in severe cases may be given intravenously (the antibiotic is administered in liquid form directly into the patients vein).

Lyme disease treatments with antibiotics often lead to a fast and complete recovery if they are given to the patient during the early stages of the infection. There is also a good rate of success with antibiotics given to patients who have developed late symptoms of Lyme disease.

However, some patients may have reoccurring symptoms and require a 2nd four week course of antibiotics (see below 'brain damage and Lyme disease').

Brain Damage And Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is rarely life threatening. However patients who have had inadequate treatment or no treatment at all during the early stages of the disease, may develop varying degrees of damage to their joints or nervous system later on. The nervous system includes the spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, brain and brain stem.

Pregnancy And Lyme Disease

An early diagnosis of Lyme disease is particulary important if an infected woman becomes pregnant.

When Lyme disease is acquired during pregnancy there are rare cases where there is infection of the placenta. This could lead to stillbirth.

At present there is no evidence of negative effects on the fetus following the mothers antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease.

Alternative Solutions For Lyme disease

Whilst people with Lyme disease should seek medical advice which may result in antibiotics being taken to combat the disease, there may be alternative solutions which help with the symptoms of Lyme disease.

As with many diseases and conditions, a change in diet can often help. Some Lyme disease patients have benefited from supplements including probiotics, essential fatty acids, co-Q10, magnesium malate and B-complex.

If you suffer from Lyme disease and are considering alternative solutions please discuss these with your doctor first.