What is Lyme disease?

Medical articles

What is Lyme disease?

Medical articles

Reviewed by: Dr. Lina Ibrahim Ahmed, senior specialist in internal medicine

Lyme disease is considered one of the hidden diseases that begin with simple symptoms for the infected person, but turn into complex suffering if it is not diagnosed early. The disease is transmitted through the bite of a small tick, but it has a major impact on health, and can infect the joints, heart, and nervous system. In the following lines with Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital, we will explain the causes of the disease, its symptoms, and ways to prevent it. Read on.

What is Lyme disease?

It is a bacterial infection that an individual becomes infected with due to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and is transmitted to humans without the bite of an infected tick, especially a deer tick. It is considered a common disease in areas with dense forests and tall grass. It often begins with a circular skin rash that resembles a bull’s eye, and is accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. If the problem is not treated early, this leads to serious complications that affect the heart and joints as well as the nervous system.

Stages of Lyme disease

The disease goes through three main stages, with symptoms and severity of impact on the body varying. The stages are as follows:

The localized early stage, which ranges from days to weeks after the bite, begins with the characteristic skin rash, erythema migrans, which is circular and often gradually expands around the site of the bite. The rash is accompanied by some symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.
The early widespread stage, which ranges from weeks to months after infection, during which the bacteria spread to other parts of the body, causing joint pain, heart rhythm disturbances, nerve pain, or temporary facial paralysis.
The late stage, which ranges from months to years, shows chronic symptoms such as recurrent arthritis, especially in the knees, and long-term neurological disorders such as poor memory, difficulty concentrating, and chronic nerve pain.

Causes of Lyme disease

The main cause of infection with the disease is infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. In some cases, the cause is infection with the Borrelia mayonii bacteria, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, especially the blacklegged tick, or what is known as the deer tick. The disease is not transmitted from one person to another, but humans become infected with it when they spend time in wooded areas or areas with dense grassy areas, where these ticks live. The possibility of infection also increases the longer the tick is attached to the skin.

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Symptoms of Lyme disease

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary depending on the stage it is in, and symptoms include:

Early symptoms

Circular rash.
Fever and chills.
Headache.
General fatigue.
Muscle and joint pain.
Enlarged lymph nodes.

Moderate to late symptoms

Pain and swelling in the joints, especially the knees.
Neurological problems such as temporary facial paralysis, numbness or weakness in the limbs.
Irregular heartbeat.
Having problems with memory and concentration.
Inflammation of the meninges or nerves.

It should be noted that early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are very important to avoid worsening symptoms and avoid the progression of the disease.

Methods of diagnosing Lyme disease

Diagnosis of Lyme disease depends on clinical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests. The most common methods include the following:

The doctor relies on observing distinctive symptoms such as a rash, especially if the infected person visits those areas where ticks are widespread.
Conducting laboratory tests, through an antibody test to detect the presence of antibodies to bacteria, and a confirmation test, which is conducted if the result is positive to confirm the presence of infection.
Additional tests are performed in advanced cases, and tests of the cerebrospinal fluid or tests of the heart and joints may be used if complications appear in these organs.

How to treat Lyme disease

The disease is effectively treated using antibiotics, and treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms. It also includes the following methods:

In the early stages, doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime is used orally for a period ranging between ten and 21 days, which leads to complete recovery.
In advanced stages or when there are neurological or cardiac complications, the patient needs intravenous antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, for a period ranging between 14 and 28 days.
Treating the accompanying symptoms through the use of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications, and in some cases physical therapy is used to improve movement after arthritis.

It is important to start treatment early to avoid long-term complications, and when symptoms persist after treatment, it is known as post-Lyme disease syndrome, and continuous medical follow-up is important. Neuroscience Or the esoteric

Top tips for living with Lyme disease

To live with Lyme disease, especially with persistent symptoms after treatment, it is important to follow a set of tips that work to alleviate the severity of the symptoms and help improve the quality of life of the infected person. These tips come as follows:

Get adequate rest and good sleep to help recover quickly and strengthen the immune system.
Follow a healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, and proteins that support overall health and fight inflammation.
Do light exercises, such as walking or yoga, to improve physical fitness and reduce joint pain.
Manage stress by following various techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, as psychological stress increases the severity of symptoms.
Regular medical follow-up.
Avoid re-exposure to tick bites by wearing protective and insect-repellent clothing when in rural or grassy areas.

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Ways to prevent Lyme disease

Preventing the disease is considered important and essential, especially in areas where ticks are common. Prevention methods include the following:

Avoid infested areas such as dense forests and grassy areas during the tick infestation seasons, which are both spring and summer.
Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants, preferably light-colored clothing to easily see ticks.
Use insect repellent.
Check the body after being outside, especially in hidden areas such as behind the ears, under the arms, and behind the knees, making sure to get rid of any ticks immediately.
You should shower within two hours of returning home, to reduce the risk of prolonged attachment of ticks to the body.
Take care of gardens and homes, making sure to reduce weeds and remove piles of wood and leaves to reduce the tick environment.
Use pet protection tools, such as collars or anti-tick drops.

What are the complications of Lyme disease?

There are many complications of Lyme disease, and the disease can develop into complications if not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. These complications include the following:

Chronic arthritis, which often affects the knees with swelling and constant pain that impedes movement.
Heart problems, such as an arrhythmia known as Lyme myocarditis, which leads to dizziness or shortness of breath.
Neurological complications such as meningitis, temporary facial paralysis, numbness or weakness in the extremities, and difficulties with concentration or memory.
Chronic fatigue, as some patients suffer from severe fatigue that continues even after treatment ends.
In some rare cases, the disease can cause uveitis or optic neuritis.
Post-Lyme syndrome, a condition in which symptoms such as pain and fatigue persist for a long time after treatment, even though the bacterial infection has disappeared.

FAQs

Can Lyme disease be cured?

The disease can be cured in most cases, especially if the disease is diagnosed and treated in the early stages using appropriate antibiotics. Symptoms often disappear within weeks of the start of treatment, and some symptoms can persist in some patients even after the infection has been eliminated. This is known as post-Lyme disease syndrome, which is a condition that requires medical follow-up and continuous support to alleviate the symptoms.

How is Lyme disease transmitted?

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Transmission usually occurs when the tick remains attached to the body for a long period exceeding 24 to 36 hours, which allows the bacteria to enter the bloodstream. However, it should be noted that the disease is not transmitted from one person to another, nor is it transmitted to humans through water or food.

Is Lyme disease dangerous?

Lyme disease can be serious if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. It leads to long-term complications with the joints, heart, or nervous system. In advanced stages, it can cause chronic joint inflammation, heart rhythm disturbances, or neurological problems such as facial paralysis and memory disorders.

Al Mousa Specialist Hospital contains a group of the best doctors specialized in treatment. If you suspect that you have the disease, you should book an appointment for diagnosis. Detecting the disease early and receiving appropriate treatment makes recovery possible, God willing, and reduces the possibility of any serious complications occurring.