Lyme disease is a multisystemic infection that requires appropriate treatment strategies. Apart from conventional antibiotic treatment, are you aware of any alternative treatment options? Dr Keith W.Berkowitz is the founder and medical director of the Center for Balanced Health in New York. To treat the symptoms, he uses a combination of complementary and conventional medicine.
In this blog, we will explore how the alternative treatment modalities support Lyme disease patients. We will also discuss whether medications, like ivermectin can reduce Lyme disease symptoms.
What is Ivermectin?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ivermectin for the treatment of head lice and skin disorders, like rosacea. It is an anti-parasitic drug that interferes with the nerve and muscle functioning of worms.
Mechanism of action:
Ivermectin causes the paralysis of parasites, by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels. It will not affect mammals, as it is unable to invade their central nervous system. These tablets can also monitor the response of the immune system and help to overcome these parasites.
Ivermectin can also alter the ability of the parasites to produce proteins and protect from the infection.
Adverse effects:
Common side effects can include,
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Acute skin rashes
- Fatigue
- Neck pain
