Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by being bitten by a tick that has fed from an infected animal. Ticks are tiny insects that look like spiders. They bury their head into the skin and grow larger as they feed off of the host’s blood. Ticks often go unnoticed, and bites are only usually apparent after the tick has fallen off.
Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, but if you do suspect a bite it is best to monitor yourself closely and watch for any unusual symptoms. If caught early, Lyme disease is easier to treat.
The symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- a circular ‘bull’s eye’ rash at the bite site. The rash may have rings that radiate outwards and resemble a target. A rash may not appear instantly, and could show up to 12 weeks after being bitten. A Lyme disease rash often lasts for several weeks. Some people do not get a rash at all, so it is important to look for other symptoms.
- pain in the muscles and joints
- flu-like symptoms
- headaches
- raised temperature
- low energy and fatigue
Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause serious health problems even years later. This includes:
- swelling and pain in and around the joints
- numbness in the muscles or skin
- poor concentration
- problems with memory
- inflammation of the heart
- inflammation of the spinal cord and brain
If Lyme disease is suspected, it is important to get treatment early to prevent the onset of more complicated health issues.
Places where tick bites are common are areas with thick vegetation, long grass, heathland and woodland. Some local areas are higher in tick numbers than others, or there may be Lyme disease hotspots. To reduce the chances of being bitten by a tick in these types of areas, it is recommended to stick to footpaths, keep legs covered, wear light coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot, and wear insect repellent.
Traditional Treatment Options for Lyme Disease
Once a diagnosis of Lyme disease has been confirmed via a blood test, the treatment options will vary depending on the length of time a person has had it. It is often easier to treat if caught early, but for some, Lyme disease can cause ongoing, chronic health problems.
Unfortunately, Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. Blood tests are not always accurate, especially in the early stages of the disease. A second blood test may be needed to confirm or rule out Lyme disease, if the first one is negative.
Treating Lyme disease consists of a long course of antibiotics to help fight the initial infection. It can take many months to fully recover from the disease, and symptoms can have a detrimental effect on daily life. In some cases, even after the main infection has been treated, symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches and pains can last for many years.
Ways to manage Lyme disease symptoms include eating healthily, gentle exercise and getting quality sleep, helping the body to fight off the infection. Health supplements such as CBD oil are also beneficial in managing symptoms.
CBD Oil for Lyme Disease
CBD, cannabidiol, is one of many beneficial cannabinoids found in hemp plants. Hemp is a plant from the cannabis family, but it does not contain the same levels of the cannabinoid THC as marijuana, another strain of cannabis that makes users feel high. With very low THC levels, hemp does not produce any feelings of being high. Instead, the cannabinoids in hemp, including CBD, bring a variety of health benefits. CBD oil helps treat the symptoms of Lyme disease in a number of ways.
A powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever, CBD helps to ease pain and inflammation around the joints and muscles, which may become worse for those with chronic Lyme disease. Instead of relying on pain medications, CBD is a natural alternative that is effective and with very few side-effects, if any are felt at all.
As treatment for Lyme disease progresses, neurotoxins are released into the body as the bacteria dies off. This may result in a variety of symptoms, including problems with concentration, depression, insomnia and hormonal imbalances. CBD is a neuroprotective compound, as shown by this study1. This means that it helps protect the nerves from damage, reduces neurotoxicity and improves the symptoms associated with Lyme disease.
CBD oil helps people to improve sleep, and getting enough quality rest is key to a healthy body and mind. In this sense, using CBD can help the body in its recovery from Lyme disease, and also lessens feelings of anxiety and depression that often occur when living with a debilitating health problem.
To get the most potent therapeutic effects of CBD oil, accurate dosing is essential. No two people are the same, so that is why no two doses of CBD oil will have the same effect. When working out what CBD oil dosage to take for Lyme disease, factors such as a person’s age, weight, sex and height should be considered, as well as the severity of their symptoms.
To make things easier, our CBD calculator works everything out for you. Just enter a few details and your personalised CBD oil dosage is displayed in minutes. This gives you the best base dose to begin working from, to help improve symptoms of Lyme disease.
What you need to know about CBD Oil, Lyme Disease and its Symptoms
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection cause by being bitten by an infected tick. Ticks are insects that live in areas of deep vegetation and climb on to animals and humans that brush past. They feed by drinking blood. If a tick has already fed from an animal with Lyme disease, that infection is also passed on to humans if they also bite them. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease, but if you do notice becoming unwell after being bitten, or spending time in an environment where ticks thrive, it is important to see a doctor.
A ‘bull’s eye’ rash at the bit site is a common sign. It is a circular rash with rings that radiate outwards. Other early symptom are feeling unwell as if with flu, such as headaches, muscle soreness and fatigue. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause more serious health problems that lasts for years.
Lyme disease treatment is through using antibiotics, but CBD oil helps bring relief from many of the symptoms. It is also useful in managing chronic Lyme disease, where pain and inflammation are present for many months or years. CBD oil is an effective alternative to pain medications, which can cause damage to the body with long term use. The neuroprotective qualities of CBD oil may help to prevent further damage from Lyme disease.
The most effective CBD dosage for Lyme disease will depend of the individual’s age, height, weight and more. Our CBD calculator takes all the guesswork out of finding the correct dosage, so add a few details to get your recommended CBD dosage in minutes!