75% of women with Lyme disease don’t remember a tick bite

Lyme disease cases have skyrocketed by 2,500% since the 1980s,

reports the Global Lyme Alliance. That’s serious cause for concern, say experts. “The bacteria responsible for the disease trigger inflammation that puts cells in a state of heightened stress, impairing cellular functioning and causing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and joint pain,” notes Bill Rawls, M.D., author of Unlocking Lyme. And Harvard-trained Akil Palanisamy, M.D., says the tick-borne bacteria produce toxins while congesting the lymphatic system, which aids in detox. This raises the body’s toxic burden, worsening symptoms.

Complicating matters:

Women don’t always suspect Lyme since 75% of sufferers don’t recall being bitten by a tick. Plus, doctors often confuse symptoms with other conditions, delaying diagnosis. In fact, a study in Healthcare found that for 51% of patients, it took more than three years to be diagnosed.

MDs diagnose Lyme with blood tests.

But they vary in accuracy (see Alert box). And while antibiotics are considered firstline treatments, the tips below can help.

Boosting lymph flow speeds recovery

by removing toxins from the body. Dr. Rawls advises drinking water and stimulating lymph channels under the skin by dry brushing before showering. To do: Use a body brush to brush upward from your hands to your neck and from your feet to your groin in long, gentle strokes. To further enhance lymph flow, Dr. Akil advises switching between blasts of hot and cold water in the shower.

Diet changes help.

Dr. Rawls advises adding a green veggie to each meal: The fiber and chlorophyll trap toxins. Also smart: Supplement with binders like chlorella or zeolite, which attach to toxins in the GI tract so they’re shuttled from the body, says Dr. Akil.