That might surprise you to learn that approximately 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the United States each year. This disease is often transmitted to humans from black-legged ticks.
It comes with numerous complications, but there are certain dangers of Lyme disease many people are unaware of. Understanding these can help you make the appropriate decision for Lyme disease treatment.
We’ve put together a brief guide with some of the most notable dangers. Let’s explore the key information you should keep in mind.
Understanding Stages of Infection
The symptoms you experience will depend on how far the disease has progressed. Some people might have no issues at first before developing serious health problems later on.
This leads many people to mistakenly believe they don’t have Lyme disease even after being exposed to it. For instance, someone could spend a weekend camping and find multiple ticks on their body. After removing them, they carefully assess their overall health for potential changes.
After a week has passed, they don’t notice any. Even though they have been infected with Lyme disease, they neglect to seek treatment because they don’t see signs of it.
Early Lyme Disease Symptoms
These occur between 3 and 30 days after initial exposure. For some people, the symptoms might not manifest until one to two weeks after exposure. Listed below are early symptoms to keep an eye out for.
General Fatigue
You might feel sluggish and unmotivated. Even after sleeping for a long period, you could still feel tired. General fatigue is difficult to pinpoint Lyme disease since it can have so many other causes.
Fever
People infected with Lyme disease typically have fevers. These are generally low and persistent, making it less likely someone will seek medical treatment. In severe cases, a fever can exceed 103°F.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Common areas where lymph nodes can be found include under the jaw, chin, and sides of the neck. When your body fights off an infection, your lymph nodes will typically swell. This is true for people who have Lyme disease, as well.
Muscle and Joint Aches
Those with this condition might find athletic activity to be far more uncomfortable than usual. Something as simple as standing up out of a chair could cause significant pain. As the disease progresses, these symptoms generally get worse.
Erythema Migrans Rash
This occurs in a large portion of people who have Lyme disease. After approximately seven days, people with Lyme disease will develop a rash.
The rash can also be difficult to discern, as it has a diverse appearance across different patients. For example, one person might have a rash that’s characterized by a central red cluster surrounded by a red ring.
Someone else might have a rash that looks like a concentrated area of swelling. It’s often not itchy or painful, but it might be warm to the touch.
Later Symptoms
If left untreated, Lyme disease will progress to something much more serious. Later symptoms are often debilitating and can cause major complications. Let’s examine them below.
Severe Headache and Neck Stiffness
Advanced Lyme disease is often characterized by neck stiffness and severe headache. These can be crippling if not managed with medication. People at this stage often have to call out of work and avoid social occasions.
Facial Palsy
This term refers to a situation where part of your face becomes paralyzed. It looks droopy in appearance, and it doesn’t move even when you smile.
Facial palsy can clear up on its own but can last for extended periods without treatment. This condition can make social interactions awkward and unpleasant. It also makes certain jobs impossible, such as any occupation that works with customers or clients.
Arthritis
Joint pain will eventually progress to arthritis. This is inflammation of the joints that can be extremely painful. The good news is this arthritis is temporary and will generally subside after seeking treatment.
Nerve Issues
You might feel numbness, tingling, or shooting pains. These typically occur in the extremities, such as your hands or feet.
Nerve pain can make it difficult to complete daily tasks. While there is no legitimate loss of strength, there could be a perceived loss of strength due to nerve issues.
For example, you might be fully capable of picking up a certain amount of weight. Your nerve pain could make you genuinely believe you wouldn’t be able to handle this amount of weight. It could also be painful to do so.
Lyme Disease Treatment
Medical professionals can prescribe various antibiotics. These include amoxicillin, doxycycline, and azithromycin. The doctor you see will assess your situation and determine the best course of action.
The best way to handle Lyme disease is by focusing on Lyme disease prevention. If you visit areas with ticks, wear clothing that covers your whole body.
You should also wear insect repellent and remove ticks promptly if one latches onto you. Ticks are the Lyme disease cause, so avoiding them is a guaranteed way to prevent this ailment.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if your symptoms gradually worsen over time. Some people can naturally fight off Lyme disease, causing it to go away on its own. Others will continue to get worse until they seek medical intervention.
There’s no point in trying to fight through the pain if your symptoms become serious. You should see a doctor as soon as they begin progressing. This is especially true if you have multiple Lyme disease symptoms.
In some cases, Lyme disease doesn’t go away on its own. Complications can persist for months or even years, substantially reducing one’s quality of life. You can find great info on how to better manage Lyme disease symptoms from Highroad Enterprises.
Don’t Overlook the Dangers of Lyme Disease
At first, managing the dangers of Lyme disease can seem complicated. The good news is it’s much simpler than most people anticipate. The information in this guide will help ensure you start on the right track.
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