As a serious condition caused by bacterial infection, Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms in its victims. Left untreated, late-stage Lyme disease can become chronic and debilitating.
In this blog post, we will discuss the most common Lyme disease symptoms, as well as the best ways to treat them. We hope that this information will help you get the treatment you need and start feeling better!
Overview of Lyme Disease
Named for the town in Connecticut where the disease was first identified as a separate condition in 1975, Lyme disease is a bacterial illness caused by the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
Lyme is transmitted through the bacteria Borrelia and is the most common bug-borne disease in the US. According to CDC research, each year sees as many as 300,000 diagnosed cases of Lyme disease.
This prevalence is especially true during the spring and summer months, during which exposure to an infected tick is much likelier.
How to Prevent Lyme Disease
The most straightforward way to prevent infectious diseases that are brought about by tick bites, such as Lyme disease, is to take measures to avoid contact with deer ticks.
These may include wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and regularly checking your body for ticks after being outdoors in tall grass or other areas where Lyme-infected critters may be present.
If you can avoid tick bites from a deer tick, the chances of Lyme disease developing are almost nil.
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms
Depending on how long it has been since you were bitten by the tick, Lyme disease symptoms can range from mild to severe. In addition, different people may experience a variety of symptoms caused by the disease.
1. Localized Rash
Within the earliest stages of the illness, the first symptom you will likely experience is a round-shaped red or blue rash located at the site of the tick bite. This usually appears within a few weeks of the initial infection.
After the rash first appears, you can expect it to grow by up to an inch per day. The rash growth typically caps out at around six inches.
Sometimes, the rash immediately around the initial bite point will disappear, creating a “bullseye” effect with a red outer ring, a ring of natural skin tone, and the rash on the bite mark at the center.
While the rash in any form is something of an eyesore, it usually isn’t itchy or painful but can cause a sense of warmth on the skin. Be sure to talk to a doctor if the rash develops, as this is one of the first warning signs of early localized Lyme disease.
2. Flu-Like Symptoms
The initial rash caused by early Lyme disease is frequently accompanied by signs of a viral-like sickness, such as exhaustion or fatigue, fever, and cold shivers. Like with the flu, it is possible to experience a high fever and cold chills simultaneously thanks to Lyme disease.
Not all Lyme diseases come with a rash, and some of the viral-like symptoms may continue even after any rash has disappeared from the skin.
3. Aches and Pains
In addition to the flu-type symptoms listed above, it’s also common to experience short-term or fleeting muscle and joint aches and pains.
The muscles and joints may become tender, especially when you put pressure on them. Lyme-related aches and pains are usually concentrated in the knees and shoulders but may affect a wide range of body parts.
As the disease progresses, you’re likely to experience more severe joint pain.
4. Headaches
If the Lyme disease infection manages to inflame your spinal cord (i.e. meningitis), you can expect to experience worrisome headaches and stiffness in your neck. These headaches can vary in intensity and are a sign of Stage 2 Lyme disease, also known as early disseminated Lyme disease.
It’s also possible to experience Lyme-related headaches without any associated meningitis. Such headaches are usually centered around the forehead and temples and can often be accompanied by blurry vision or light sensitivity.
5. Swelling in the Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes, which are part of your immune system, can become inflamed and swollen as a result of Lyme disease. If the nodes on the sides of your neck, on your armpits, or in your groin area feel tender or sore, then you may have swollen lymph nodes.
This is a serious sign of infection and should definitely trigger a visit to your doctor for medical assistance.
Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms
In some cases, people may also experience more severe symptoms due to Lyme disease, including neurological problems, heart palpitations, and joint pain that can last for years rather than being intermittent.
Lyme disease is also known to cause cognitive issues, including difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
Some of the most serious ongoing symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- Neurological issues (such as difficulty walking, numbness or tingling in the limbs, and even seizures)
- Heart palpitations
- Long-lasting joint pain
- Lyme carditis (inflammation of the heart)
- Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
- Cognitive difficulties, including forgetfulness and impaired concentration
- Mood swings and depression
- Tendinitis (tendon inflammation) or tendon rupture
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
Unlike the more common symptoms listed earlier, these chronic issues are more likely to occur in the later stages of Lyme disease.
Diagnosis and Testing for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is tested and diagnosed by a medical professional. He or she will look at any rashes or other symptoms that you have to help figure out if Lyme disease is the cause of your sickness. You will also be asked about any recent tick exposure you may have had that could have caused the infection.
If a physical observation and an examination of your potential tick exposure aren’t enough to confirm a Lyme disease diagnosis, then you may have to undergo lab tests. Since Lyme disease-causing bacteria are hard to find in human tissue, most blood tests instead search for antibodies that your body has created in response to the bacteria.
Here are some test options to consider with your Doctor:
Treatments for Lyme Disease
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you suspect that you have Lyme disease so that they can help you get better as soon as possible! Once a medical professional has officially diagnosed you with Lyme disease, you can take advantage of a variety of treatment options to fight the illness and treat your symptoms.
Oral Antibiotics
Depending on what stage the illness has reached, you may be prescribed different antibiotics or medications. Other factors that affect which antibiotic to receive include age and whether or not you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Injectable Antibiotics
While antibiotics taken in pill form are the most prevalent treatment method, especially for catching Lyme disease in its earliest stages, antibiotics administered via IV are also an option. These become especially important if the infection has already reached the later stages.
Antibiotics of either kind are usually administered for a period of 2-4 weeks (depending on the development of the disease), with additional regimens being ordered depending on symptoms.
Natural Remedies for Lyme Disease
At-home remedies are another option to alleviate Lyme disease symptoms and help you feel better while your body fights off the infection.
Some natural Lyme disease treatments include herbs such as turmeric, which can help reduce inflammation; garlic, which can boost your immune system; and ginger root, which is known to fight bacteria.
Lifestyle Changes
As with many diseases and infections, two other great ways to mitigate some of the symptoms of Lyme disease are eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting plenty of rest.
Check out our guide on the do’s and don’ts of a Lyme disease-friendly diet, including the healthiest foods to eat, the foods to avoid, and sample meal plans and recipes. Energizing your body with the proper whole foods ignites its natural intelligence to automatically begin the process of recovery and allows you to ultimately thrive.
By taking care of your body so it can be at its healthiest, you’ll be giving your immune system more fuel and energy for fighting off the infection.
Exercise Regimen
One of the toughest parts about Lyme disease is the way it inhibits your ability to exercise normally. The aches and pains in your muscles and joints, as well as heart issues in some patients, can make maintaining an exercise regimen more challenging.
Fortunately, there are exercise routines that can be performed even by someone suffering from the later stages of Lyme disease. These types of exercise include:
- Walking for light aerobic exercise
- Swimming for aerobic exercise that’s easy on the joints
- Gentle yoga or other forms of stretching for muscle flexibility and joint range of motion
- Tai chi or similar practices for overall flexibility and balance
- Any bodywork that involves gentle movement will release and shift energetic patterns to help recharge your mind and body
The WAVE1 Bioenergetic Wearable
The wearable WAVE1 frequency emitter uses light-wave frequencies to provide relief from many of Lyme disease’s symptoms.
The WAVE 1 bioenergetic wearable is designed to optimize cellular communication and stimulate biological competency with light-carried frequency technology. The wearable delivers the Frequency Support Program tailored to revitalize the immune system with energetic technology.
With any disease, cellular communication is compromised and tends to break down, bringing with it a variety of unwelcome symptoms and illnesses. WAVE 1 is intended to restore this critical intercellular communication and is designed to help re-establish a more functioning immune system where your body can operate more optimally.
Worn on your arm or leg, it is comfortable and easy to use for any home-based or on-the-go immediate need.
By restoring intercellular communication between your body’s cells, many of which have been damaged by Lyme disease, the WAVE1 emitter promotes better cell health. This, in turn, leads to benefits such as a more functional immune system and improved wellness outcomes.
The WAVE1 emitter is designed to be worn comfortably, allowing you to wear it continuously without affecting your daily activities.
Conclusion
Lyme disease is a serious infection that can cause debilitating symptoms if left untreated. It’s important to be aware of the signs so you can catch the illness early on.
If you do find yourself with signs of infection related to a tick bite, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly to get your potential Lyme disease treated as soon as possible.
With proper diagnosis and available solutions ranging from doctor-prescribed to bioenergetic technology remedies, there is hope for those suffering from Lyme disease.