Summer is almost here, which means tick season is around the corner and the potential to contract the infamous disease they carry: Lyme.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. It's caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States and Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia.
The disease was first identified in the town of Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, hence its name. It primarily affects humans and other animals, including dogs and horses.
The Stages Of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease progresses in stages, and symptoms can vary widely depending on the stage of infection and individual:
Early localized stage: The hallmark symptom of early Lyme disease is a skin rash called erythema migrans (EM), which typically appears at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 30 days after being bitten. EM usually starts as a small red bump and gradually expands over several days or weeks, often resembling a bull's-eye with a central clearing. Other symptoms during this stage may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Early disseminated stage: If left untreated, the bacteria can spread throughout the body, leading to more severe symptoms. These may include additional EM rashes in other areas of the body, facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis, shooting pains or numbness in the arms and legs, heart palpitations, and inflammation of the eyes.
Late stage (chronic) Lyme disease: Without appropriate treatment, Lyme disease can progress to a chronic stage characterized by persistent symptoms, such as arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, neurological problems like memory loss and difficulty concentrating, and heart rhythm irregularities.
Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging, as its symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, and not everyone develops the characteristic EM rash. Further testing, including blood tests for antibodies against the Lyme bacteria, is often used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment typically involves antibiotics, which are most effective when started early in the course of the disease. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime. In cases of late-stage Lyme disease, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary. At Advanced Wellness & Health, we also offer herbal options when appropriate. Contact us here if you'd like to learn more about our treatment protocols.
How To Prevent Lyme
Prevention is key to avoiding Lyme disease. Measures include avoiding areas where ticks are prevalent, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), using insect repellents containing DEET or permethrin, performing tick checks after outdoor activities, and promptly removing ticks using tweezers if found attached to the skin.
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