Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks
Is Lyme disease psychosomatic?
When a patient is improperly diagnosed or not diagnosed at all, some physicians deem their condition to be psychosomatic . This is a mischaracterization of psychosomatic disorders. Lyme pain is real, not imagined.
Is Lyme disease a permanent disease?
If treated, Lyme disease does not last for years . However, for some people, the after-effects of the disease can linger for months and sometimes even years. Alternative medicine providers call this condition “Chronic Lyme disease,” but this title is simply wrong.
What is the truth about Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease, which means that the bacteria causing the disease is transmitted through a vector . In this case, the vector is an infected deer tick or black-legged tick. The symptoms of the disease start showing anytime between three to thirty days after you have been bitten.
Does Lyme disease really exist?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by bacteria in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The first symptom is usually a characteristic pink or red rash that starts as a small red spot that gradually spreads in a much larger circle with a characteristic bulls-eye appearance called erythema migrans.
Can you beat Lyme disease without antibiotics?
The use of antibiotics is critical for treating Lyme disease. Without antibiotic treatment, the Lyme disease causing bacteria can evade the host immune system, disseminate through the blood stream, and persist in the body.
Can Lyme be cured?
Lyme disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Although most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with a 2- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics , patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that last for more than 6 months after they finish treatment.
Why do doctors deny lymes?
The medical establishment refuses to accept the fact that the Lyme disease bacterium , Borrelia burgdorferi, sequesters and hides in deep-seated tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, bone, brain, eye, and scar tissue. This stealth pathogen is persistent in the body, and is hard to treat.
Can Lyme disease make you feel crazy?
A broad range of psychiatric reactions have been associated with Lyme disease including paranoia, dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, major depression, anorexia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Does Lyme disease cause suicidal thoughts?
The investigators found that people with Lyme disease had a greater risk of mental problems and suicide attempts . They also had a 42% higher incidence of depression and bipolar disorder, and a 75% higher rate of death by suicide, compared with people without Lyme disease.
Can you have Lyme disease without knowing?
Greene is one of many people who don't notice early signs of Lyme disease, brush off the symptoms, or whose medical providers missed the symptoms, which often include fever, headache, fatigue, and a bull's-eye skin rash called erythema migrans, considered the hallmark of the disease.
What are the 3 stages of Lyme disease?
- Stage 1 is called early localized Lyme disease. The bacteria have not yet spread throughout the body.
- Stage 2 is called early disseminated Lyme disease. The bacteria have begun to spread throughout the body.
- Stage 3 is called late disseminated Lyme disease.
Can you get Lyme disease without a tick bite?
If parts of its mouth are still stuck in your skin, that's OK. They will come out on their own and can't transmit Lyme disease without the tick body attached . It's best to remove a tick as soon as possible (within 24 hours). The longer an infected tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit Lyme disease.
Can Lyme cause permanent damage?
Varying degrees of permanent joint or nervous system damage may develop in individuals with late-stage Lyme disease. Most individuals with Lyme disease respond well to antibiotics and have full recovery. In a small percentage of individuals, symptoms may continue or recur, requiring additional antibiotic treatment.
What does a Lyme flare up feel like?
a red, expanding bull's-eye rash at the site of the tick bite. fatigue, chills, and general feeling of illness . itching . headache .
Can Lyme disease change your personality?
ABC News medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard, who had lyme disease, said that the possibility of personality changes should at least be taken into consideration. “It does affect the central nervous system. You can have behavior changes, personality changes ,” she said.
