Lyme diseases: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Cost, and Side-effects

Lyme disease is an infectious disease which is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is often diagnosed on the basis of symptoms, physical examinations (such as rashes) and probability of exposure to infected ticks. This disease is a serious issue and if left untreated, it can even spread to the joints, the nervous system, and the heart. The symptoms of Lyme disease usually show up within a time period of 3 to 30 days after the bite and the symptoms are usually wide-ranging depending upon the stage of the infection.

It is important to note that not all persons receiving a tick bite get the disease. According to some recent research works it has been said that the possibility that a person may get Lyme disease from the bite of a black-legged tick depends on whether the tick was previously infected with the bacterium or not, the place and time when the bite occurred, the time for which the tick remained attached to the person. Hence observing the symptoms of the patient accompanied by a few laboratory tests is the best way to diagnose Lyme disease. Studies have proven that black-legged ticks must stay attached for at least 24 hours in order to spread Lyme disease to the victim.

Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease. It is mainly a bacterial disease. Bacterium Borrelia mayonii and bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi are the causative organism.

It is a common disease in the United States. Lyme disease symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Erythema migrans - a characteristic skin rash of Lyme disease
• Joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

It is spread through the biting of infected black-legged ticks. If Lyme disease is left untreated it can spread up to major body parts like the heart and nervous system.

Summary: Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and spread through infected ticks. If a person has fever along with erythema migrans then he must have Lyme disease.

Lyme disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and mayonii involves three stages named as:

• Early localized: symptoms include flu-like condition, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fever, bull’s eye rash, etc.
• Early disseminated: symptoms include pain, weakness, change in vision, and the flu-like condition persists.
• Late disseminated: symptoms include arthritis, numbness in arms and legs, severe fatigue, etc.

Symptoms may vary in severity. Sometimes a person may be in later stages without showing symptoms of earlier stages.

Lyme disease signs should not be ignored as they can be fatal.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely by bacteria mayonii also. It is spread through infected black-legged ticks also known as deer ticks.

These ticks get infected by feeding upon infected deer, mice, and birds. The tick spends almost 40 hours on the human body to spread the disease.

Summary: Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease caused by a particular bacterium. Infected deer ticks play a major role in spreading the disease.

Lyme disease is mainly diagnosed by a characteristic skin rash known as erythema migrans. This Lyme disease rash looks like a bull’s eye.

The doctor then checks upon other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, fever, etc. The doctor also takes follows up on the patient’s health history.

Exposure to ticks is also being checked. Doctors conduct a physical examination for the diagnosis f Lyme disease. Its diagnosis also includes ELISA and Western blotting.

Summary: For the diagnosis of Lyme disease doctors first, check upon physical conditions like a rash. After a few weeks of infections, a blood test is also done. Doctors also check for internal effects like swollen lymph nodes.

Lyme disease can be prevented by thoughtful measures. We need to avoid exposure to ticks. We should not let the ticks reach our skin.

There as some steps that can be followed for Lyme disease prevention.

• Avoid areas having tall and overgrown grasses.
• Wear full-sleeved colorful clothes.
• Wear shoes while going into the woods.
• Wear tight clothes.
• Use insecticide.
• Remove feeding ticks as soon as possible.

Summary: Lyme disease can be prevented in some simple ways. We should need to take care of our clothing to avoid exposure to ticks on our skin. Also, we can use insecticide to kill them.

When doctors diagnose a patient for Lyme disease, then they mainly look for the history of possible exposure of the person to infected blacklegged ticks and the signs or symptoms shown by the patient. Pathological tests of blood samples of the patient are often helpful in diagnosis, if they are used correctly and performed with validated methods. It is very important to be cautious so as to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, when the actual cause of the ailment is something else.

In medical science, Lyme disease is basically described in three stages. During the first stage the symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, skin inflammation and rashes. The second stage of the disease is characterised by spreading of the disease to the heart and the nervous system and may involve palsies and meningitis. On the other hand, during the late stage of this disease the featuring motor and sensory nerves get damaged and brain inflammation and arthritis may also develop.

Lyme disease can be cured completely with appropriate antibiotics, if the patient is diagnosed at an early stage. The common antibiotics which are used for oral treatment include doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Patients, who have some neurological or cardiac ailments, are given intravenous medications of antibiotics like ceftriaxone or penicillin. Oral medications like azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin may be also used in the treatment of Lyme disease, although they are known to have lower efficacy. These medications should be continued for a period of 10 to 21 days until the patient recovers. It is highly recommended that the patient should take doses of the prescribed medicines regularly, as directed by their doctors. In case a patient suffers from any side effect or allergies due to such medication, then he/she must immediately consult their doctor.

Any person who has been bitten by blacklegged tick and is suffering from symptoms like fever, headache, weakness, muscle or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and a typical type of skin rash known as erythema migrans, are said to have Lyme disease and are eligible for such treatment. Pathological tests of blood samples of the patient are also helpful in the diagnosis of Lyme disease, if they are used correctly and performed with validated methods. It is very important to be cautious, so as to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, when the actual cause of the ailment is something else.

Any person who are not bitten by blacklegged tick in the near past and do not show symptoms of having Lyme disease are not eligible for this treatment. A proper diagnosis is very essential, so as to avoid problems associated with misdiagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, if the actual cause of the sickness lies somewhere else. Moreover, it is recommended that Doxycycline (an antibiotic, used for the treatment of Lyme disease) should not be given to pregnant women or children younger than 8 years of age.

Not all people undergoing a treatment for Lyme disease, is said to suffer from side effects of medication. For some people, the side effects may be minor and can be dealt with easily; whereas for others who are allergic to a particular medication may suffer from some serious side effects. Some of the side effects for treatment of Lyme disease include troubled breathing, swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat due to allergic reactions, developing hives, severe diarrhoea, bad taste in mouth, nausea, vomiting, vaginal yeast infection and others. Some people may even develop higher fever, redder rashes or increased pain during the initial 24 hours of antibiotic therapy. This is not an allergic reaction, but a symptom that may be indicative of rapid death of the bacteria. People suffering from any of these side effects need to consult their doctor immediately so that alternative medications can be prescribed if necessary.

The symptoms of Lyme disease become very complicated if treated at a later stage. However, quicker and complete treatment of a patient suffering from Lyme disease is possible, if he/she is properly treated at an early stage. The post treatment guidelines for treatment of such a disease essentially involve taking the prescribed medicines regularly on time as directed by the doctor. If a patient is not taking the medicines regularly, then he/she may invite severe health risks or even life risk.

If a female patient is pregnant, breast feeding or planning to get pregnant then she must stop taking Doxycycline because such an antibiotic may harm the baby growing within their womb. Such female patients should not take any medicine without consulting a doctor.

Follow-up care is an important part for the treatment and safety of the patients suffering from Lyme disease. The patient should make sure to go to every appointment or call up their doctor in case they are having any problem during the course of treatment.

Treatment of Lyme disease at an early stage has proved to be the most effective in curing the patients from such an infection and in eliminating future health problems related to arthritis, the heart or the nervous system. Some of the symptoms may not go right away and can stay for several weeks even after the complete course of treatment is given. The time taken by a person to recover from such a disease may vary depending upon the degree of infection that the person had before the treatment began. However, on an average it takes almost 21 to 30 days for a patient to recover after the treatment is done.

Yes, anyone who suffers from symptoms of Lyme disease should consult a doctor immediately. Avoiding Lyme disease symptoms may lead to very critical situations.

It affects the physical as well as the mental condition of the body. Lyme disease also shows some side effects like:

• Chronic joint inflammation
• Facial palsy
• Heart rhythm irregularity
• Cognitive disorders

Doctors treat Lyme disease through procedures like ELISA, Western blotting, etc. A complete cure for Lyme disease is very important for the well-being of the patient.

Summary: Lyme disease can be treated under the guidance of a doctor only. Lyme disease should not be taken lightly because if left untreated it ultimately leads to death.

There is no specific diet compiled for Lyme disease but as we know a nutritious and balanced diet is required to cure any kind of disease.

Antibiotics should be taken for the treatment of Lyme disease as prescribed by the doctors. There are some foods that can support the cure of Lyme disease:

• All kinds of fruits
• Green and leafy vegetables
• Foods having anti-inflammatory properties
• Starchy and root vegetables
• Beans
• Whole grains

We need to eat nutritious food to boost our immune system so that it can prepare an adequate amount of antibodies to fight the disease-causing factors.

Summary: Nutritious and wholesome food plays the main role in keeping our bodies healthy. A healthy body can fight the disease itself so we should eat a balanced diet.

The price of treatment of Lyme disease in India may vary depending upon the cost of medicines prescribed by the doctor. On an average, the cost of consulting a doctor (in India) regarding the problems of Lyme disease ranges from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,500 (per consultation). The cost of medicines in India throughout the course of treatment may range from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 5,000. Hence, the total cost for treatment of patients suffering from Lyme disease may range from Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 10,000 (for each patient). This treatment is easily available in almost all cities and towns in India.

Lyme disease can be completely cured if the patients are treated at an early stage. However, with time, serious complications of heart, joints or nervous system may occur if the patient is left untreated. These symptoms can also be treated with appropriate medications but the time taken to treat patients with such complications is usually long. In case of Chronic Lyme disease, some of the symptoms may stay even after the complete treatment is done. Such symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches may stay for months before a patient feels completely well.

As we know that physical exercise keeps the body healthy. But there are some situations where extensive exercise may be problematic. In the case of Lyme disease, before conducting an exercise session patient should consult a doctor.

This is because Lyme disease directly affects the joints of the body. So any kind of exercise should be performed under the guidance of a doctor or a trainer.

Summary: Lyme disease makes the body weak. So only that kind of exercise should be performed that does not make stress the body.

Once a patient gets infected by the bite of a black-legged tick and develops Lyme disease then taking antibiotics regularly, at an early stage of the disease, is the best way of treatment. However, another alternative way to overcome such a disease is by naturally boosting a person’s immune system, lowering inflammation, and management of the root cause of the symptoms occurring in such cases.

Including food items, such as vegetables, nuts, seeds, coconut, bone broth, organic meat, raw cultured dairy products and foods rich in vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and probiotics, in a person’s diet helps to increase the immunity of the person and prevents them from getting infected from Lyme disease.

Treatment of Lyme disease includes processes like:

• ELISA
• Western blotting

Based upon diagnosis through these processes doctors prescribe medicines. Mainly antibiotics are given to patients to treat Lyme disease.

Different medicines are prescribed by doctors based on different symptoms of patients. Some antibiotics are often prescribed by doctors:

• Amoxicillin
• Cefuroxime
• Doxycycline
• Ceftriaxone
• Benzathine Penicillin
• Macrolide antibiotics

These are some medications that are given to patients by doctors. But one should only take medicine as prescribed by doctors only.

The treatment of Lyme disease is also very cost-effective.

Summary: Different types of medicines are available for different types of symptoms. The best medicine for a particular condition can be decided by a doctor only. We need to follow our doctor to cure Lyme disease.