Does Lyme Disease Affect Vision?

Tick & Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease? It starts with a bacterial infection through contact with infected ticks. These tiny creatures are generally found in wooded areas and fields with high grass. The bacteria is known as Lyme borreliosis, and several recognizable problems coincide with its onset. In early stage Lyme disease, a rash often develops around the original tick bite then expands over time.

Swelling from Tick Bite

Three to thirty days after a bite, this rash often appears. The rash can be six inches or more around the bite. Although this is a major sign that you’ve been infected, not everyone gets a rash when they get Lyme disease, so it is important to be aware of some other indications of its presence.

Many people experience pain and swelling in their joints or other inflammation. Others experience heart issues, nervous system problems, or severe migraines with light sensitivity. Some of these problems can get worse over time and also can take quite a while to develop, leaving the origin of the affliction a mystery.

Tests can be done to determine if you have contracted Lyme disease, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider for a blood test if you are concerned.

Even though there isn’t a known way to completely rid someone of Lyme disease, controlling your diet can be very helpful in controlling the associated problems. [1]

How Lyme Disease can Affect Vision

Inflammation

Individuals with Lyme disease might potentially develop inflammation of the eye structures. Eye inflammation commonly appears in the third or late stages of the disease. Inflammation of the optic nerve can cause vision loss. Optic neuritis symptoms include eye pain, color vision loss, and flashing lights.

Inflammation of the retinal vessels can cause impaired vision and floaters. Bell’s palsy-like symptoms might arise if the facial nerves become inflamed. Symptoms may make it difficult to close the eye, causing the cornea to become dry and potentially infected. [2]

Nutrition Program Designed to:

Reduce Inflammation

Cleanse & Detox

Build Health

Click Here to Learn More

Dietary Approaches

In some cases, limiting certain foods can act as a natural Lyme disease remedy. Dairy, red meat, sugar, and caffeine all can worsen Lyme disease. The bacteria that carry Lyme, spirochetes, feeds off of sugar. Because of this, when there is a lot of sugar in the diet, they become stronger and have more long-term effects on the body.

One of the most important factors in helping your body get stronger is reducing inflammation. Inflammation adds stress and requires your body to focus more energy on reducing inflammation rather than on important tasks like fighting Lyme disease.

Here are some ways to help you reduce Lyme and inflammation in your body:

Reduce dairy

There is ample evidence that gluten and pasteurized dairy products contribute to inflammation. This is worth noting because one of the most challenging long-term effects of Lyme disease is difficulty controlling the inflammatory response. If going off dairy doesn’t work for you, try switching to locally produced raw milk, if it’s available.

Avoid processed and fried food

Lyme disease remedies and processed foods. There is a direct relationship between processed foods, fried foods, and inflammation, so it’s best to avoid the fried stuff whenever possible.

Foods to Help Lyme Disease

Many foods also act as direct Lyme disease remedies when consumed, by contrast to the list of things to avoid. The main theme of the allowable list is that it revolves around natural and unprocessed foods.

Here are some specific foods to focus on as dietary Lyme disease remedies:

Eggs

Eggs tie into the diet in a variety of ways. They are not only a great source of energy, but they also have ultra-low carbohydrate content, which aids Lyme disease.

Nuts and Beans

Nuts and beans are high protein foods that are beneficial even beyond the scope of Lyme disease. Like eggs, they are a low-carbohydrate and high-protein energy source. An added benefit of nuts and beans is that they have high fiber content and are therefore helpful in digestion and nutrient uptake. They also contain antioxidants, which are helpful Lyme disease remedies, in addition to combating hormone dysregulation and other issues that you may encounter.

Fish

Fish can be beneficial. When you eat fish, make sure it’s wild caught and not full of coloring dyes. Also, make sure it is prepared in a healthy manner that doesn’t contribute further to what you’re suffering from.

Vegetables

Eat your vegetables. Eating a clean meal of vegetables with some tasty olive oil drizzled on top is a great way to recharge and lower inflammation. This practice on a daily basis is a natural Lyme disease remedy for your body and mind. Not only will this have a positive short-term effect on how you feel, charging you full of vitamins and minerals, but it will also help alleviate long-term chronic inflammation, which is a mainstay of Lyme disease.

References:

[1] Promising Foods for Lyme Disease Remedies

[2] How Can Lyme Disease Affect Your Vision?