Learn More about Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease. The disease can be contracted thru the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria Borrelia. Lyme disease was named after Lyme, Connecticut as several cases of the disease were discovered there in 1975.
Symptoms of lyme disease vary depending upon the stage of the condition. Medical professionals have identified three stages of the disease: Early localized infection, early disseminated infection and late persistent infection. Symptoms in the first stage, early localized infection, include a characteristic rash at the sight of the tick bite. This rash is called erythema migrans. The rash typically appears three to thirty days after infection. The rash has a bull’s eye appearance and is generally red in color. Symptoms also may be flu-like such as fever, headache and fatigue. If Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated during this first phase, it can generally be treated with antibiotics.
The second stage of lyme disease, called early disseminated infection, will bring additional symptoms. The erythema migrans (the red, bull’s eye rash) may begin to spread and appear all over the body. Headache, muscle, joint and tendon aches, heart palpations and light-headedness have are also common symptoms during the second stage of lyme disease. Approximately 15% of untreated patients also experience neurological changes that may lead to neurological disorders. Intravenous antibiotic treatment may be needed to treat more advanced stages of lyme disease, especially when neurological or heart conditions exist.
The third stage of lyme disease, late persistent infection, occurs in untreated patients or patients who were not adequately treated during the early stages of the condition. People with late persistent infection may have chronic symptoms. This disease can affect the heart, the skin, the eyes and the nervous system. Arthritis, especially in the knees, is fairly common in people with late persistent infection. Depression, anxiety and fatigue are also associated with lyme disease.
Support groups may be helpful in dealing with lyme disease. It can be powerful to connect to others who share the same medical condition. FacetoFace Health offers secure support groups where members can anonymously ask others questions about their experiences and treatments. Join a support group and get support from people who also have lyme disease.
Cited References:
Wikipedia
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MedicineNet
American Lyme Disease Foundation