Lyme disease has 3 distinct stages, with other possible phases between these: early localized (or acute), early disseminated (or secondary), and late disseminated, which can progress to chronic Lyme if not properly treated.The kind we are most familiar with is the first two, but symptoms of later stages of Lyme disease can take months or even years to appear after the initial infection, accumulating with time. This can even include neuropsychiatric symptoms, referred to as tertiary symptoms.
Over 300 straings of Borrelia (Lyme disease) exist worldwideLyme disease has been reported on almost every continent, increasing in frequency over time. It is primarily transmitted by ticks, it has very rarely been reported as transmitting from other insects (such as mosquitoes) or by sexual transmission. Most doctors are unsure how to identify and properly treat Lyme, particularly in later more damaging and more insidious stages. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control, U.S.) has not established a definitive way to detect and diagnose Lyme.
Lyme shares roots, and effects, with syphilis--though they are not the same illnessLyme disease and syphilis are both the same structure of bacteria, however, so they transmit and stick around in similar ways. The bacteria is called a spirochete, shaped like a corkscrew and able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This allows it to mimic almost every known autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease, earning Lyme the nickname
the Great Imitator.
Not kidding with that Great Imitator stuff!The trickiest phase of Lyme is the chronic phase. 70% of people with chronic Lyme disease incur the same white-matter destruction (hypofusion) in their brains as is commonly seen in HIV, chronic cocaine users, and other viral
brain infections (encephalopathies). Chronic Lyme shows an average onset of symptoms of 4 years after initial infection, often preceded by asymptomatic dormant stages.
Due to the unreliable nature of testing, Lyme is often a diagnosis of exclusion by testing for illnesses with more reliable diagnostic procedures to rule them out. All forms of Lyme infection have been shown to cause
white matter lesions in the brain, which is most commonly seen in disorders like
Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Cerebrovascular Disease. Additionally, many patientes suffer
Cerebral Atrophy, a trait usually associated with
Alzheimer's, Picks, dementias, Cerebral Palsy, Huntington's Disease, AIDS, MS, and
epilepsy. As with these other illnesses, it isn't uncommon for Lyme sufferers to experience speech and seizure disorders.
The situation is not hopeless.
Even for chronic sufferers, remission from the infection is possible. In acute phases, if Lyme is treated properly it can be cured. You can never be too persistent when it comes to your health: insist on at least a month of antibiotics rather than 10-14 days if you are diagnosed with early, acute Lyme disease.
The number one thing, as always, is knowledge as power. If you are aware of the threat, you can recognize signs. If you are having health problems that doctors are having trouble diagnosing, keep Lyme in mind.
Just the same,
not everything is Lyme disease either. It's important to be aware, be safe, be healthy, and most of all, not be paranoid. Stress lowers your immune system, after all!
What questions does this information lead you to? Comment here, and stay tuned to *ItDoesNotHaveMe for articles addressing your questions throughout May, which is International Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
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Just a tidbit, I have learned from personal experience that if the Lymes bacterium gets into your spinal fluid it can cause menangitis (not sure how to spell that).
It's not quite as dangerous as other forms of menangitis, but still just as painful.
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What I'm wondering is, how does one avoid ticks and Lyme altogether? I guess staying away from the forest and not touching wild animals would help, but I like the forest. I don't touch wild animals, though. Are there any healthy alternatives to using bug spray? The stuff we have here seems pretty risky to use. Also, can my dogs spread it to me if they happen to pick up a tick?
Thanks for putting this together! I didn't know that Lyme was so bad. I guess my grandpa was wise about it after all.
I'm going to ask him if he knows anyone who had it.
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mine caused a partial paralysis of my right leg. i had no feeling in my calf, shin and front part of my thigh. it was diagnosed early enough to be treated and i made a full recovery, though it took almost a year for me to get the feeling back in my leg.
although this disease is more prominent in the northern states, i live in texas and was the 6th person in the state to be documented in the texas cdc.
it is certainly becoming a widespread problem.
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most sprays are rather noxious. the nature of the beast :/
the ticks that tend to transmit lyme are the nymph stage ticks, which are the size of the period at the end of this sentence....part of why the issue is so tricky. unfortunately the closest thing we have to foolproof protection is knowledge of your own body and health and knowledge of the symptoms of lyme disease so that you can catch it early enough to where it won't cause these problems.
never gloss over a fever or take aches and pains lightly. no need for paranoia, but simple old fashioned self awareness.
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