Do you remember listening to a romantic DJ on the radio as he gave pieces of advice to those with broken hearts? For sure, at one point, you heard him say to just let time take its course because the heart heals faster when left untreated. Although that can be a bit true, don’t you ever take that advice for a real disease — especially Lyme disease.
Signs and Symptoms
In some cases, signs and symptoms of Lyme disease do not appear until weeks, months or years after the infectious tick bite. This makes this bacterial infection one difficult disease to diagnose and treat. The dangerous part is, when left untreated, Lyme disease can cause serious threats to different organ systems that patients have to endure for the rest of their lives. This difficulty in detecting leads to chronic Lyme disease, the stage wherein the infection has done permanent damage to the body.
This stage usually involves periodic episodes of joint pain or several neurological symptoms. These symptoms include Bell’s palsy or paralysis of the facial muscles. Meningitis, which involves stiff neck, fever and severe headache, can also be experienced. Others also suffer from cardiac rhythm dysfunction, dysautonomia or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and migratory pain to tendons, bone, muscle and joints. Patients also complain of arthritis especially in the knees.
Progression of Chronic Lyme Disease
In some rare cases, chronic Lyme disease also leads to erosion of cartilage, bones or both. Blindness and other damages to the eyes are also associated with this infection. Patients also experience psychological and behavioral changes. These include disturbances in memory, mood swings, disarrayed sleep pattern, personality change, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic Borrelia, the bacterium to blame, can also cause degenerative skin disorders, endocrine or metabolic dysfunctions which lead to sudden weight loss or weight gain.
Treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease
Antibiotics can cure Lyme disease in its early stage. However, the cure or treatment for chronic Lyme disease is still a subject of much controversy. In this stage, the Borellia can be resistant to antibiotics. There is no established cure for this vicious bacterial infection. Treatments vary from patient to patient because the disease attacks the body in many different ways. Some patients respond to antibiotic combos, symptomatic medications, coinfection treatments, and natural therapies. Others still continue their search for a more effective treatment option.
If you’re bitten by a love bug, take the DJ’s advice and let the wound heal by itself. If it’s tick that bit you, don’t just sit there listening to the radio. Consult your doctor immediately.