Lyme disease is a growing health concern of the American population, with an increasing number of people being affected each year. What makes Lyme disease even more alarming is the different ways in which it can manifest in different people. This is why it can be frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
People with this health condition suffer from considerable pain. Therefore, many wonder whether they can use kratom for Lyme disease pain.
Let’s look into the details on Lyme disease and whether kratom can help relieve pain caused by it.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease, scientifically known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial disease. It is caused by Borrelia bacteria, which ticks can transmit to humans.
Most ticks are harmless; however, a small number of ticks can feed on infected animals and then carry and transmit the disease to other animals or humans. A tick needs to stay on the skin for an average of three to four days for the disease to get into your bloodstream. Therefore, most people with Lyme disease do not recall having had a tick bite.
According to the CDC, around 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. Most instances occur in the Northeast and upper Midwest states, with over 96% of Lyme disease cases being reported there.
People who live or spend some time in forested areas have a greater risk of getting Lyme disease. If you have a god or other animals that spend time in these areas, you also have a much higher risk of getting Lyme disease. While there is not enough information on whether animals such as dogs can transmit Lyme disease directly, an infected tick can pass from an animal to a human, transmitting the disease in the process.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease develops in three stages:
- early localized,
- early disseminated, and
- late disseminated.
Not all people who have contracted Lyme disease will have the same set of symptoms. They can drastically differ and overlap in different stages. Some people may not have any symptoms in earlier stages and only manifest them when the disease has advanced. Symptoms can also take up to four weeks to show.
Below are some of the most common Lyme disease symptoms that people may experience:
- a flat rash that looks like a red oval, circle, or bull’s-eye,
- fatigue,
- muscle and joint pain,
- arthritis-like pain also known as Lyme arthritis in the more advanced instances of the disease,
- swollen joints and lymph nodes
- fever or other flu-like symptoms,
- headaches,
- disturbed sleep,
- difficulty concentrating.
Lyme Disease Treatment
The earlier one diagnoses Lyme disease, the easier it is to treat it. In the early localization, a simple 10-day or 2-week oral antibiotic course can eliminate the infection.
In more advanced stages, doctors also use antibiotics both via an IV as well as orally, though the treatment course can last up to a month.
Amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and doxycycline are some of the most common antibiotics that doctors use to treat Lyme disease.
Post-Lyme Disease and Its Symptoms
Even though antibiotics tend to eliminate the infection, every one or two in ten Lyme disease patients experience symptoms even though the disease is no longer present. This is the post-Lyme disease or post-Lyme disease syndrome. Some also call it post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. No one currently knows what causes it.
The symptoms of post-Lyme disease affect cognition and mobility. They include:
- fatigue,
- sleep issues,
- joint and muscle pain,
- joint swelling,
- short-term memory issues,
- difficulty concentrating, and
- speech problems
These symptoms resolve after several months, though, in some people, they can last for a few years. Treatment methods generally focus on easing the pain and discomfort that the affected people experience.
Can One Use Kratom for Lyme Disease Pain?
Kratom does not treat Lyme disease. An infected person needs to take an antibiotics course to eliminate the disease. However, kratom can be used to alleviate Lyme disease and post-Lyme disease symptoms and improve one’s quality of life.
Kratom can relieve joint and muscle pain, boost energy, improve mood, sleep, as well as the ability to concentrate.
What Are the Best Types of Kratom for Lyme Disease?
Depending on your individual symptoms, you may benefit from one or various strains of kratom for Lyme disease. You can rotate a few different strains to achieve a variety of effects throughout the day.
1. Red Vein Kratom for Lyme Disease
Red vein strains such as Red Bali are extremely popular for their potent pain-relieving effects. They are also euphoric and relaxing. Thus, you can ease Lyme-associated muscle and joint pain, as well as boost your mood and improve your sleep.
Except for a few varieties such as Red Sumatra, most reds are slow strains. As a result, they work best during the evening and can provide kratom pain relief.
2. Green Maeng Da Kratom for Lyme Disease
Along with Red Bali, Green Maeng Da tops the most popular kratom strains. Nonetheless, its effects are slightly different. In contrast with most reds, Green Maeng Da is a moderate strain. As a result, it can be both energizing and soothing. It can improve focus, concentration, and productivity, improve the mood, and relieve pain.
Green Maeng Da is great for the morning or daytime, for example, if you need to work or study.
Some vendors also offer Plantation Maeng Da, which is a version of Green Maeng Da that’s grown in controlled conditions in plantations, thus resulting in more potent and consistent quality kratom. Make sure to buy it from a trusted vendor as bad players tend to catch up quickly when there is a new trend and demand for it.
3. Green Malay Kratom for Lyme Disease
Green Malay is another moderate strain that can make work or studying easier. It can boost your energy and focus, as well as provide moderate pain relief. Similarly to Green Maeng Da, it is an excellent kratom for Lyme disease for the morning and daytime.
4. White Borneo Kratom for Lyme Disease
If your energy levels are particularly low, White Borneo kratom for Lyme disease can be a great choice. While its pain-relieving abilities aren’t as potent as those of reds and greens, it has strong energizing properties and can considerably enhance your ability to concentrate.
Keep in mind though that some people, especially those with limited or no kratom experience, can be sensitive to white vein strains. Because of that, keep your doses low and switch to greens if whites are too much for you.
5. White Horn Kratom for Lyme Disease
Horn kratom is a popular yet rare variety. It comes from leaves with pikes that look like horns, which mature kratom leaves develop. Many kratom lovers prefer this strain due to its potent and consistent effects.
You can try white horn kratom for Lyme disease if you’d like to improve your cognitive functions, boost energy levels, and get mild pain relief.
Kratom itself is not harmful, but keep in mind that there may be kratom drug interactions. Most adverse effects such as kratom liver damage occur due to other substances rather than kratom itself. So, be sure to inform your physician before you start taking kratom to avoid any adverse side effects.
Have you taken kratom for Lyme disease? Which symptoms did you find it to be the most helpful with? Feel free to share your experience as it can help improve the quality of life of other people who struggle with Lyme disease.
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