Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease is a tick born type of bacterial infection. How many cases doctors will treat throughout the US is largely dependent upon where you live and the number of ticks in a given area. This bacterial infection is what happens due to a bacteria type called a spirochete. The other name for spirochete is Borrelia burgdorferi. The ticks that carry this bacterium type are the ones that pass on Lyme Disease. The process is like this in simple terms: Ticks bite the skin that are carriers of this disease. The bacteria then latches into the body and what happens is that there are flu symptoms, but along with that is also: Reddish Rash Rings on the skin expanding An outer ring that looks like a bull's eye Later if not treated on time, fatigue, and glands that are all swollen. People often do not realize that they have received a tick bite or bites. And at first, there may not be a rash present. Sometimes when you have a redness on the skin, and it disappears after a tick bite, the bacterial infection contained within your body will begin to spread in about a month's time or even longer. This is dangerous since this disease can then promote serious problems in the heart, nerves, and your joints as well. The heart may get inflammation of the heart muscle causing irregular heart beats and even failure of the heart. The nervous system since it can also be very much affected, can cause you to develop muscle paralysis and lack of feelings. There can also be bad effects to the brain causing a bacterial meningitis. Joint pain and arthritis is not uncommon either.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease When the disease is in the earlier phases, some doctors can make a diagnosis if a red rash is appearing. If you have been to an area that is commonly known for ticks, that will usually tell the doctor something. Blood testing is a big diagnostic tool. One of the important blood tests will be for antibodies which have Lyme bacteria. This shows up more clearly in the later stages of the illness.
Treatment for Lyme Disease Most of the time, antibiotics will cure this bacterial illness. The type of antibiotic you will be given all depends on the stage which you are at. If the illness is in the earlier stages, oral antibiotics will clear it up. If Lymes Disease is well into the later stages, hospitalization with intravenous drugs are required in order to cure it. To get relief from the symptoms you are having, analgesics may be prescribed that are stronger. If your joints are swelling up, fluid can be removed by the doctor called arthrocentesis. This procedure is done in very clean and sterile conditions in your doctor's office not requiring a hospital visit.
Joint pain can sometimes go on after the bacteria causing this illness is removed. The reason for this inflammation experienced is due to an autoimmune response. Cortisone is likely to help this problem.
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