Lyme Disease Awareness for Active Agers

Boomer Banter, Real Talk about Aging Well

Season 7, Episode 186

Join us as we dive deep into the world of Lyme disease, exploring its symptoms, controversies in treatment, and the crucial preventive measures to stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors. My guest, Dorothy Leland and I, shared personal stories to highlight the challenging journey of diagnosis and the resilience needed to manage this disease.

This episode sheds light on the complexities of Lyme disease. Our discussion aims to arm our listeners, particularly active agers, with the knowledge to protect themselves and enjoy their passions without fear.

Episode Highlights

**Understanding Lyme Disease**: Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause a spectrum of symptoms, from flu-like symptoms to more severe health complications if untreated. It's essential for everyone, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities, to be aware of how to protect themselves.

**Personal Stories**: Wendy shares the harrowing journey of her husband's initial misdiagnosis, and how they came to find the correct diagnosis of Lyme disease. Dorothy discusses her daughter's battle with Lyme disease, which left her wheelchair-bound for three years.

**Preventative Measures**: The importance of protective clothing treated with permethrin, proper tick removal techniques using tweezers, and the advisability against old methods like smothering ticks with Vaseline or using heat.

**Symptom Checklist**: Dorothy Leland elaborates on the importance of lymedisease.org's symptom checklist, which can be a critical tool for discussing potential Lyme disease with healthcare providers.

Links

**Stay Protected**: As you plan your next adventure outdoors, remember to dress appropriately, use insect repellent, and conduct thorough tick checks upon returning indoors. Visit lymedisease.org for more resources and a symptom checklist.

Protective clothing can be found at: Insect Shield, look for clothing treated with permethrin.

Insect repellents recommended include Lemon Eucalyptus Oil or Picaridin

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