Lyme's disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by spirochete Borrelia
burgdoferi, transmitted by the tick Ixodes dammini.
The earliest symptom of the disease is a rash called erythema chronicum
migrans that begins at the site of a tick bite and migrates through
entire body. As a result of systemic infection, fever, headache,
fatigue, pain in joints and myalgia occur. Episodes of arthritis pain
and swelling become chronic with progressive erosion of cartilage and
bone. When Lyme disease goes untreated, the bacteria can spread to the
nervous system, heart and other organs, tendons and joints. This cause
more serious complications such as meningoencephalitis, Bell’s palsy
(facial nerve paralysis) and heart problems (myocarditis and heart
block).
Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy is a successful adjunct to antibiotics
in a treatment of Lyme disease by:
- reducing
infection directly by killing bacteria and indirectly by improving
white blood cells capacity to kill bacteria (phagocytosis)
- improving the effect of antibiotics
- reducing swelling and pain in arthritic joint
- eliminating muscle pain and fatigue
- preventing bone and cartilage damage
- improving peripheral nerve regeneration
