Good Health Lifestyles - July 2018

Page 25

Good Health TM

lupus, making the window of early treatment easy to miss. Even if your doctor suspects Lyme disease, getting an accurate diagnosis can be tricky. Lyme disease is one of the most rapidly growing infectious diseases across the U.S. and Europe. In fact, more people are diagnosed with Lyme disease than with breast cancer, HIV, colon cancer, and hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report more than 30,000 cases of the disease each year nationwide. However, that number is misleading. It’s estimated that only 1 in 10 cases of Lyme disease are officially reported because of variations in testing accuracy—common testing methods miss 35 to 40 percent of the cases. But with proper diagnosis, early treatment can save someone from a lifetime of pain and trouble. Left untreated, the disease can affect the skin, joints, nervous system, heart, and eyes, leading to problems like joint pain and cardiac issues to name a few. Symptoms include headaches, neck stiffness, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat. The debilitating and chronic symptoms— often controversial in medical and insurance circles—can be attributed to

LIFESTYLES

the disease hiding and spreading within the body long after the initial bite, even taking years to show up. Adding insult to injury, doctors who don’t believe in the long-term effects dismiss many Lyme patients. After more commonly known problems are ruled out, these patients are referred to psychiatrists, with doctors believing the problem is “in their head.”

Awareness and Action is Critical

3) Pennsylvania

12) New York

HAPPEN

Because diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease can be so difficult, aim for prevention. Avoid tick-infested areas like leaf piles and long grasses. Walk in the middle of trails and don’t sit on logs or stumps. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see ticks. Tuck in everything! Tuck your shirt into your pants, and your pants into your socks. Wear closed-toe shoes and a hat. Check for ticks after being outdoors, and for several days afterward, including your bedding. Don’t forget to check the kids and pets, too. Once a tick is on a human body it must be attached for 36 to 48 hours before the bacteria is transmitted. Finding a tick quickly is a critical first step in stopping the disease from occurring. They seek out dark crevices of the body like the armpit, behind the ear, or on the scalp.

12 Worst States for Lyme Disease 10) Minnesota

RESULTS

1) Vermont

2) Maine 9) New Hampshire

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7) Massachusetts

4) Rhode Island 5) Connecticut 6) New Jersey 8) Delaware 11) Maryland

EuroPharmaUSA.com MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE *THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED 25 TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASE.


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