In order to educate yourself about Lyme disease, it is essential to learn its definition, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, as well as its preventive measures.

Although it is not an epidemic, Lyme disease is worth researching about in order to learn its nature, treatments, and prevention.

Definition and cause of Lyme disease

Lyme disease got its name after its discovery in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. The Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria are the culprit behind this inflammatory disease. Humans contact Lyme disease when they get bitten by an infected tick. One common type of tick that can spread Lyme disease is the deer tick. Humans get infected by Lyme disease typically in late spring or the onset of summer.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

An infected tick's bite usually causes a circular skin rash called erythema migrans, also known as "bull's eye" rash, on the infected person after some days or weeks from the time of the bite. The rash could grow bigger in diameter after a few more days. Other than the rash, you may also feel other Lyme symptoms that mimic a flu and include fever, chills, headaches, joint pains, and muscle pains. Rashes do not always accompany the flu-like symptoms; in some cases, only the latter is present.

In as early as a month, Lyme disease symptoms can become worse if they remain undiagnosed and untreated. You will experience more and worse headaches, pain and numbness in the arms and legs, and even fainting and palpitations. You may experience problems with your memory and have difficulty in concentrating and remembering. These symptoms will get worse over time if not treated immediately or when medication is not effective.

Diagnosing Lyme disease

As soon as symptoms of Lyme disease start to show up, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis. The presence of the tell-tale rash and your personal history of having been bitten by a tick are two very important indicators that your physician uses to determine whether you have Lyme disease. Laboratory tests are also conducted, such as the ELISA blood test and western blot to diagnose Lyme disease.

Treatment of Lyme disease

When detected earlier, Lyme disease can be treated effectively with oral antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, amoxicillin doxycycline, tetracycline, phenoxymethyl, or penicillin. Other oral antibiotics may be also administered together with erythromycin and azithromycin. Antibiotics are given intravenously to those who suffer from cardiac or neurological problems during the onset or late stages of Lyme disease.

Complications that will arise from Lyme illness

If not diagnosed right away or given proper medical treatment and care, Lyme disease can become more serious with long-term complications. Severe fatigue, facial nerve paralysis or Bell's palsy, meningitis, heart enlargement, heart inflammation, or even chronic arthritis may be alarming signs that your heart, nerves or brain is affected by the disease.

Lyme disease prevention

Prevention is always the best option when handling infection rather than curing it after being acquired. Lyme disease can be prevented by covering your skin fully with appropriate clothing especially when walking through areas that ticks are likely to be present such as grassy and wooded locations. Wear a cap, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes that cover your feet well. If you go out for camping or hiking, make sure you check your body routinely to find the presence of any ticks. Once you are back inside, take a bath and get rid of any ticks that may have gotten stuck on your body.

Lyme disease is not that common, so you need not cancel your outdoor activities. The fear of Lyme must not hinder you from enjoying your outdoor hobbies and interests. In order to avoid long term problems associated with Lyme disease, you should be knowledgeable with the illness including its symptoms and what ways to prevent it.