The symptoms of Lyme disease can be categorized in three stages–the early stage, the second stage, and the third stage which is usually called chronic Lyme disease. The earlier stage typically displays a rash with other flu-like symptoms; the second stage, with developing and continuous conditions felt during the earlier stage; and the third stage, with indications involving arthritis, neurological problems, and other conditions.
Ticks spread bacterial infection called Lyme disease that is generally cured by prescribing antibiotics. If not treated immediately or the disease remains without medication, then in such cases infection can cause complications and long term disabilities. To prevent this undesirable event from happening to you, you should be knowledgeable of the symptoms of the stages of Lyme disease–from early to chronic.
The early stage of Lyme disease is considered to be the first four weeks after getting bitten by an infectious tick. You can tell that you have Lyme disease at this point because of a red circular rash (erythema migrans), also called a bull’s eye rash, at the insect bite. there are quite a number of patients, though, who do not display the rash following their tick bite, so you need to be aware of the other signs. Some of these resemble flu symptoms,like headaches, muscle aches, fever, chills and swollen lymph nodes. Anytime you know that you’ve been bitten by a tick, even if you haven’t experienced the onset of symptoms, you should see your doctor right away in order to receive treatment and prevent complications.
When there are no obvious symptoms and Lyme disease is not treated early enough, it can move into the secondary phase. this usually occurs between one to four months after the tick bite. Symptoms in this stage include joint pains, more headaches, more muscle pains, numbness in arms and legs, fainting, tiredness, poor concentration, poor memory retention, and conjunctivitis.
Phase 3: Chronic Lyme disease condition
Lyme disease can become chronic especially in the elderly or have poor health. The later stage of Lyme disease could be a result of a very delayed diagnosis and/or treatment, or an infection that is showing resistance to medication. At this stage, the symptoms can be beyond your wildest imaginations and may include:
* Arthritis: When Lyme disease progresses to the later stage, arthritis might ensue. You’ll have redness, swelling, pain in your joints and stiffness in your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and smaller joints.
* Neurological problems: Neurological problems will arise during the second stage, and they will increase in intensity. there may be an itching or burning feeling, or severe numbness in your arms and legs. there may be more headaches, and there could be problems talking, remembering things and feelings of depression, anxiousness and panic. Some of the other neurological symptoms can be Bell’s Palsy (facial nerve paralysis) and aseptic meningitis.
* other conditions–-Other serious symptoms that come with chronic Lyme disease include chronic fatigue, heart inflammation, irregular heartbeat rate, ringing in the ears or tinnitus, hearing loss, visual dysfunction causing blurred vision, shortness of breath, fever, sweats, Diarrhea, irritable bowel, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and urinary frequency.
Most studies do not indicate that death is common in Lyme disease cases Chronic Lyme disease may not be life-threatening, but its symptoms and complications can be very serious. You should go in for timely treatment so you can avoid the complications which you may have to face later on.
If you’d like to know more about persistent Lyme symptoms, check out lymediseaseblog.com/lyme-disease-symptoms/.
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