What is Lyme disease?
Lyme is a bacterial disease transmitted via infected tick bite. The first reported case was in 1975, in the town of Old Lyme, CT, giving this disease that affects around 300,000 a year in the USA alone (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) its name.
Once you've been infected the disease stays in your system for the rest of your life. You can control it, but it can always come back. Certain external factors can cause a flare up, such as stress, a change in diet, or anything that may cause your immune system to weaken.
I have suffered from Lyme disease since 2007, and if you have followed my Instagram, you'll see I'm currently having a flare up. Like with most cases, I didn't know I had been bitten, so I spent some very dark months before I was diagnosed with this condition. Lyme disease can take over your whole body, including your brain and nervous system. I was sometimes very disoriented. I was extremely fatigued. I was sweating profusely for no apparently reason. Sometimes I couldn't speak. I thought I was dying.
This is why it's important for me to be outspoken about my disease and to share my experiences to help as many people as I can.
Below are a few ways you can protect yourself and the people you love from getting Lyme disease. If you think you or someone you know suffers from Lyme disease, contact your doctor immediately.
- When walking through the woods wear clothes that cover most of your body. For example, long pants tucked into socks, long sleeve shirts, etc. Also, if there's a path, be sure to stay in it. Don't wonder off as you might expose yourself to ticks and other animals.
- If you have children and they're going to play outdoors, dress them in light clothing, because if they have ticks on them you will be able to see them. Although ticks are small and sometimes not seen to the naked eye, it's worth spending time after your kid(s) come back to check them all over to make sure they're tick-free. Look everywhere, including scalp and under the arms.
- If you have dogs, be very careful about letting them climb on the couch or bed after they've been playing outside.
- When you're around an area with lots of trees, wear a hat of scarf around your head, as ticks can latch on to your scalp.
- If you're going camping or hiking, be sure to use insect repellent spray.
- If you find a tick on your body or attached to someone you know, carefully detach it by using tweezers. Pull it straight from the tick's head and be carefeul not to squeeze it, as squeezing it may release the bacteria inside your body. Save it inside a clear bag and contact your local health department so the tick can be tested for Lyme disease.
For more information in Spanish, visit sobrelyme.com
To buy Dr. Horowirz' book (he's my doctor, pictured above) How Can I Get Better click here.
