If Lyme Disease Has Not Passed Away
Posted by Dennis Morris in Lyme Disease Help
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and which is transmitted by ticks. It is characterized by a tendency to chronic and recurrent course and damage of skin, heart, nervous and locomotor systems.This disease was firstly identified in 1975 in the village of Lyme (USA), when a group of patients was attacked by arthritis,which characterized by an unusual course.The infection occurs through the bite of an infected tick.
Pathogens bacteria of tick enter the skin through saliva and within a few days multiply, then they spread to other parts of the skin and internal organs, including heart, brain, joints. Pathogens can be in the body of a person for a long time, causing chronic and recurrent course of illness. The chronic form of the disease may develop many years later the infection. Lyme disease can be diagnosed by special blood tests and symptoms.
Currently, there are techniques that allow to recognize the disease faster than previously used antibody tests.Among the most common symptoms of Lyme disease are place of tick bite and redness. Red spot gradually increases, reaching 1-10 cm in diameter, sometimes up to 60 cm or more. The form of spots round or oval, rarely wrong.
The outer edge of the inflamed skin more red, a little bit higher above the level of the skin. With time, the central part of the spot becomes pale or bluish, appears the shape of the ring. In place of a tick bite in the center of the spot appears crust, then a scar. Without treatment the spot remains 2-3 weeks, then disappears.
After 1-1.5 months develop the first signs of Lyme disease and damages of the nervous system, heart or joints. Can be noticed flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscles ache.The joints can be hot, swollen and painful, mostly affected knee joints, pain in muscles and tendons. Among neurological symptoms are paralysis, mostly on the face, disorders of skin sensitivity, insomnia, loss of hearing. From heart side: arrhythmia, increased heart rate, bradycardia, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath.
For the treatment of Lyme disease used antibiotics, such as penicillin or tetracycline, which are prescribed to be taken orally at least 2 weeks. In severe cases, can be appointed antibiotics, for several months or more. The earlier treatment is started, the more efficient it is.If you suspect to have this disease then the doctor should prescribe you necessary treatment even before he will get the results of blood samples. Pregnant women and patients with severe disease require hospitalization or antibiotics.
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