{"id":889,"date":"2017-06-23T02:19:52","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T02:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=889"},"modified":"2021-03-12T14:28:39","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T14:28:39","slug":"11-signs-lyme-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/11-signs-lyme-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Signs of Lyme Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lyme disease is a condition that is caused by bacteria and specifically bacteria that comes from ticks. Ticks attach themselves to our skin and use this position in order to draw blood and feed off of the host. This can often lead to an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticks are tiny creatures that look a lot like spiders but with round, hard bodies. When they attach to the body, they dig their legs deep into the skin and use these to anchor themselves in. When removing ticks, it is highly important to use specific tick removal tools or otherwise you can risk leaving the legs behind which may result in skin infections as the wound remains open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyme disease is a particularly frustrating condition that can cause a range of flu like symptoms along with extreme lethargy and impaired mood. It can also seem to drag for a very long time, sometimes lasting more than 6 months. Many people who suffer with the condition will also report that they subsequently experience symptoms of tiredness and even depression for many years following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all these reasons, it is highly important to look out for the signs of Lyme disease early on. If caught early, then a 2-4 week course of antibiotics can help to more quickly end the infection and reduce the longevity of the lingering symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll take a look at 11 common signs of Lyme disease. If you notice any of these, then go and see your doctor at your earliest convenience\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the symptoms of Lyme disease are very similar to that of a flu. You are thus likely to notice symptoms such as a fever<\/a> causing you to feel very hot. Fevers occur as the body goes into overdrive attempting to fight off the infection and as it tries to make your body inhospitable to the bacteria. In other words then, the fever itself might be very unpleasant but it can actually be a sign that the body is fighting. You need to keep an eye on the fever and keep drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration \u2013 the most dangerous complication that can occur as a result of fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>2.  Coughing, Wheezing and Sneezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with the fever, you will notice other symptoms that are very similar to a flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include lots of coughing<\/a>, wheezing and sneezing. You\u2019ll quite likely think this is a common cold at first but that is why it is important to look out for the other symptoms on this list to see if it might be something more serious and longer lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, you can use many of the same treatments you would use to manage a cold in order to manage these symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3.  Facial Palsy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common signs of Lyme disease is facial palsy<\/a>. This is caused by the facial muscles becoming weak, which can make it hard to smile. You might also struggle to blink and generally struggle to show a range of expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the worst cases, the nerves and tissues of the face can begin to get more severely damaged and the signals from the brain can start to get interrupted, resulting in twitches. Some areas of the face might become paralyzed, while others might twitch and judder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other cases, only one half of the face might be affected. All these things are very key signs that something more than a flu is affecting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>4.  Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the very most notable signs of Lyme disease is the tiredness and the lethargy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This condition can cause extreme fatigue<\/a> and make it incredibly hard to engage in regular activities. You might struggle to motivate yourself, or simply to find the necessary energy to complete tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tiredness is especially likely to be noticed in the muscles and joints which can become very sore and stiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  The Bull\u2019s Eye Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bull\u2019s eye rash is a well known symptom of Lyme disease that once again makes it very clear that the condition is not merely a case of a cold or a flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This appears like concentric circles that get smaller and smaller with a dot in the middle. The circles each vary in their redness and paleness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the small dot is the spot where you were bitten by the tick. So even if you didn\u2019t find the tick, you can find this calling card and thereby be fairly certain that it is a case of Lyme disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>6.  Numbness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as causing the muscles to become sore, stiff and weak, Lyme disease can also cause the muscles to become numb<\/a>. This is more common during the later stages of the condition and comes after the facial palsy in most cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, the bacteria has moved on from the facial muscles to begin to attack the central nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can ultimately result in entire parts of the body becoming paralyzed, making it highly important that you see a doctor and begin a course of antibiotics as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>7.  Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, one of the earlier signs of Lyme disease is swelling<\/a>.This can occur around any part of the body and is likely to target the muscles and joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most commonly it will be found in the arms and legs first but may also appear on the neck, the ankles and the hands.This is once again a result of the body reacting to the bacteria that is affecting the body and trying to drive it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluid is used to try and stop foreign bodies from reaching other parts of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>8.  Neck Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Note that just because you don\u2019t notice these more distinct symptoms, that doesn\u2019t mean that you don\u2019t have Lyme disease! Neck pain can occur in many people suffering from Lyme disease and this is usually noticeable toward the end of the flu-like symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is once again caused by bacteria <\/a>damaging the tissue and the nerves, swelling then occurs and this can make it painful to turn the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>9.  Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most unpleasant symptoms of Lyme disease is headache<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the earlier symptoms and also one of the longest lasting. It is so important that you see a doctor and get your Lyme disease looked at, as otherwise the headaches might never go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to live with the lasting effects of Lyme disease is very hard and not something anyone should have to experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>10.  Heart Troubles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lyme disease can also cause heart problems. This is an early warning sign that is likely to occur after a few days of being bitten and it can occur if you miss the other symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom actually has its own term, which is Lyme caritis. Here, the bacteria has entered the heart where it will damage the tissue <\/a>and potentially cause irregular beating. In most cases, this isn\u2019t as scary as it sounds. However, in a few exceptional scenarios the resulting \u2018heart block\u2019 can even be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, you must not underestimate this potentially devastating disease and should get seen by a doctor as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11.  Seizures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, one of the most dramatic and serious symptoms is seizure<\/a>. There are a few causes of regular seizure but Lyme disease is one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a potentially life-changing symptom that can occur long after you have been bitten by the tick. Caused by changes in the electrical activity of the brain, this happens because bacteria is affected the nerves at the back of the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, only 70% of those who experience seizures as a result of Lyme disease will have them regularly following the first incident. However, this isn\u2019t a risk you should take. Get your ticks removed by a doctor and get them to immediately do a blood test to check for Lyme disease!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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