Have you heard of a disease called the Lymes Disease?

If not this is a good time to learn about it.

The month of May is associated with awareness of a few common and not so common diseases that afflict us, namely Hepatitis, Asthma, Dystonia, Lupus, CFS, Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis and Lymes Disease.

AWARENESS helps gain knowledge and understanding and increases our alertness and responsiveness in approaching an illness in an educated manner and seeking medical help.

LYMES DISEASE

A disorder caused by a tick bite.

Most people who get Lyme’s disease do not become seriously ill. It is named after Lyme, Connecticut, USA, where it was first described.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Stage 1:

• A rash that starts as a small red spot. The spot expands and becomes round or oval in shape with a clear center. It resembles a bulls-eye.
• Mild flu-like symptoms may occur (fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle and joint pain).

Stage 2:

• Rash develops in other places of the body.
• Single-joint pain or body pain.
• Central nervous system symptoms that may range from headache to loss of consciousness.

Stage 3: (may occur months to years after first stage):

• The nerves, joints, heart, and brain may be seriously affected, causing a number of new symptoms.

CAUSES

An infection transmitted by an infected deer tick bite. The rash may occur 3 to 30 days after the tick bite.

The infection does not spread from one person to another.

RISK INCREASES WITH

Work, play, or recreational activities in places like grassy, brushy, or wooded areas which are high risk for ticks.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Wear protective clothing with tight collars and cuffs.
• Use effective insect repellents when visiting areas with ticks.
• Check skin carefully and remove ticks if any. If the tick is removed from the skin within 36 hours, there is usually no infection.
• No vaccine is currently available.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The severity differs from one person to another. Mild cases clear up on their own without treatment. Most other cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics. In a few cases, symptoms may not respond to antibiotics. Additional treatment may or may not help.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Various degrees of persistent joint or nervous system pain, fatigue, memory problems
• Rarely, death may occur.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

• A physical examination and medical tests that may include blood studies to confirm the diagnosis.
• Early treatment with antibiotic drugs to prevent symptoms from getting worse.
• Crutches may be used to to keep weight off affected joints, if necessary.

·         Warm baths or showers, or the use of heating pads to relieve joint pain.

MEDICATIONS

• An oral antibiotic for 14 to 21 days for early stage of the disease.
• Antibiotics given through a vein (IV) for later stages.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Steroid drugs to reduce the inflammatory response in the heart or central nervous system.

ACTIVITY

Bed rest until symptoms get better. Gradual resumption of normal activities.

DIET

No special diet.