Lyme disease is a bacterium-caused infection that occurs in humans after they are bitten by deer ticks that carry the disease. Anyone with Lyme disease understands the complexity of the symptoms and how complicated Lyme disease is to treat. Lyme disease can be treated at any stage with doctor-prescribed antibiotics, although you may be plagued with reoccurring symptoms throughout your life.
Symptoms
During the first stage of Lyme disease---within weeks of being bitten---you may not experience any symptoms. If you do, the first signs include flu-like symptoms and a red rash that occurs on the skin around the area of the bite. The rash, known as erythema migrans, grows in size daily until it is treated. The primary rash area may expand 2 inches around the bite. Untreated, these primary symptoms may still go away after a week or two.
Larger lesions on the skin may appear as the disease spreads. Some of these secondary lesions grow as large as footballs.
Secondary Lyme disease symptoms may occur at any time after the primary Lyme disease symptoms and can be quite alarming. Depending on where you are bitten, you may experience partial paralysis in the facial area, headaches, fever and a stiff neck. Nerve inflammation may occur, causing tingling or numbness in the arms and legs. Brain swelling has been seen in some patients, making it difficult to focus and often causing confusion and dementia.
If not treated at all, Lyme disease symptoms can affect other vital organs such as your heart, muscles, joints (arthritis) and nervous system.
Treatments
Lyme disease treatments can be tricky due to the inconsistency of symptoms and the affects they have on your organs. Sometimes Lyme disease is not diagnosed right away. However, if you know you have been in the woods within the past three weeks and have experienced rashes, then you should see a doctor right away. Do not attempt to treat your symptoms on your own. Only a doctor can properly diagnose and treat Lyme disease.
After an accurate diagnosis is made through a blood test, your doctor begins treating you with antibiotics. Some common oral antibiotics for use in treating lyme disease include doxycycline, penicillins, or erythromycin.
Be prepared to take intravenous antibiotics if your doctor feels that the disease is progressing aggressively. And if you experience painful headaches due to Lyme disease, your doctor may suggest a spinal tap to examine the effect of the disease on your nervous system.
Keep close tabs on your condition and communicate any new Lyme disease symptoms to your doctor right away. Your doctor will require more follow-up visits to track your condition and to make new recommendations for your treatment.
To relieve pain in your muscles and joints, hire a physical therapist or licensed masseur, and try a regimen of gentle exercise. Not only will therapy and exercise keep your vital systems healthy, but they will relieve your stress and make it easier for you to sleep at night.
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