What causes Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a spirochetal infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It is caused by a type of bacterium called a spirochete. An infected tick can transmit the spirochetes to the humans and animals it bites. There is some debate to whether other bugs can transmit it, or if it is sexually transmitted. It is however transmitted in utero. It is a multi systemic inflammatory infection. If left untreated it will travel from your skin, through the bloodstream, joints, organs, and will establish itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms incuding neuropsychiatric manifestations.
The Symptoms of Lyme DiseaseThere are three stages to Lyme Disease.
Stage 1
Early localized infection (The first month)
Bull’s eye rash (erythema migrans) The rash is usually circular and has a fading spot in the center. Less then half the people infected will develop a rash.Note: Some people will never have any symptoms in this stage.
Flu like symptoms (Usually the first symptoms)
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Muscle and joint pain S
Swollen lymph nodes
Fatigue
Stage 2
Early disseminated infection (1 to 4 months)
If Lyme disease is not detected and treated while early symptoms are present, the infection may disseminate and affect the skin, joints, organs, nervous system, and heart.
Extreme fatigue
Rashes
Migrating pain (pain that changes locations and comes and goes)
Weakness and/or numbness in the arms or legs.
Twitching muscles
Severe and recurring headaches
Fainting or vaso vagal attacks
Poor memory and concentration problems
Irritability Vision problem
Internal buzzing feeling
Heart palpitations
Panic Attacks
Mood disorders
Stage 3
Late Persistent Infection
Late disseminated Lyme
Swelling and pain in the joints
Numbness and tingling in the extremities
Severe fatigue
Insomnia
Bells Palsy (partial paralysis of the face)
Getting lost in familiar places
Problems speaking,
Word retrieval problems,
Word block
Migrating pain and symptoms
Heart damage
Pericarditis
Meningitis
Depression
Panic Attacks
Bladder problems
Tinnitus, ear ringing or feeling of fullness
Poor balance
Shortness of breath
Rib and sternum soreness
Fevers/sweats
Vertigo
Upset stomach and GI problems
Burning and stabbing pains
This is just a generalized short list of symptoms. Lyme disease can cause almost any symptom because it is a multi systemic disease. It can travel anywhere including your central nervous system (spine and brain). One of the common complaints of patients with Lyme Disease is that the symptoms come and go and change locations frequently. You can take a group of several people infected with Lyme, and all might be experiencing different symptoms. The time frames of each stage are generalized also. Each patient moves through these stages at different timing. One person may not show symptoms for several months while another may get stage three symptoms rather quickly. It all depends on strains, co-infections, and your own immune system.
Lyme disease is a spirochetal infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It is caused by a type of bacterium called a spirochete. An infected tick can transmit the spirochetes to the humans and animals it bites. There is some debate to whether other bugs can transmit it, or if it is sexually transmitted. It is however transmitted in utero. It is a multi systemic inflammatory infection. If left untreated it will travel from your skin, through the bloodstream, joints, organs, and will establish itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms incuding neuropsychiatric manifestations.
The Symptoms of Lyme DiseaseThere are three stages to Lyme Disease.
Stage 1
Early localized infection (The first month)
Bull’s eye rash (erythema migrans) The rash is usually circular and has a fading spot in the center. Less then half the people infected will develop a rash.Note: Some people will never have any symptoms in this stage.
Flu like symptoms (Usually the first symptoms)
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Muscle and joint pain S
Swollen lymph nodes
Fatigue
Stage 2
Early disseminated infection (1 to 4 months)
If Lyme disease is not detected and treated while early symptoms are present, the infection may disseminate and affect the skin, joints, organs, nervous system, and heart.
Extreme fatigue
Rashes
Migrating pain (pain that changes locations and comes and goes)
Weakness and/or numbness in the arms or legs.
Twitching muscles
Severe and recurring headaches
Fainting or vaso vagal attacks
Poor memory and concentration problems
Irritability Vision problem
Internal buzzing feeling
Heart palpitations
Panic Attacks
Mood disorders
Stage 3
Late Persistent Infection
Late disseminated Lyme
Swelling and pain in the joints
Numbness and tingling in the extremities
Severe fatigue
Insomnia
Bells Palsy (partial paralysis of the face)
Getting lost in familiar places
Problems speaking,
Word retrieval problems,
Word block
Migrating pain and symptoms
Heart damage
Pericarditis
Meningitis
Depression
Panic Attacks
Bladder problems
Tinnitus, ear ringing or feeling of fullness
Poor balance
Shortness of breath
Rib and sternum soreness
Fevers/sweats
Vertigo
Upset stomach and GI problems
Burning and stabbing pains
This is just a generalized short list of symptoms. Lyme disease can cause almost any symptom because it is a multi systemic disease. It can travel anywhere including your central nervous system (spine and brain). One of the common complaints of patients with Lyme Disease is that the symptoms come and go and change locations frequently. You can take a group of several people infected with Lyme, and all might be experiencing different symptoms. The time frames of each stage are generalized also. Each patient moves through these stages at different timing. One person may not show symptoms for several months while another may get stage three symptoms rather quickly. It all depends on strains, co-infections, and your own immune system.