Case Study : Become Involved With The American Lyme Disease Foundation

Typical incubation periods between initial infection and symptom presentation is between 7 and 14 days. The classic symptomology indicating infection is the development of Erythema-Migrans, which is a bulls-eye shaped rash or legion that emanates from the site of the original tick bite. Although this is considered the characteristically identifiable symptom of early Lyme disease infection, studies have shown that as few as 35% of patients develop a rash (Nadelman et al., 1996). Other common indications of early Lyme disease include, flu-like symptoms and the development of Bell’s palsy. Common treatments for early stage cases include oral antibiotics and are highly effective in relieving infections. However, patients who do not receive treatment and develop CLD or acquire Post Lyme Disease Syndrome can experience significantly more severe health problems. Symptoms of these conditions include those found in early stages as well as, cognitive impairment, insomnia, neuropathy, and heart problems (Wormser et al., 2006). The nature of this bacterial infection and its increasing global incidence has made it a disease of significant interest in the public health and medical

Lyme disease was discovered in the 1970’s, as any other disease was, by a large number of cases, with patients having the same symptoms. In Lyme, Connecticut, a doctor was having patients who were all suffering from the same symptoms that made patients become debilitated. There were so many cases that the doctor marked it as an unknown disease. It wasn’t until later in the 1980’s that there were more widespread cases throughout the north-east. Lyme disease is becoming a serious problem in the north-east and especially in New York State, given the drastic increase of cases. Without treatment Lyme disease can result in blindness and in severe cases, death.

Lyme disease, or lyme borreliosis, is an emerging infectious disease transmitted by ticks. Lyme disease is considered an emerging infectious disease because it’s incidence has increased over the past 20 years, and it was not identified until 1975 in the United States (CITE). Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease causes symptoms similar to that of influenza, and includes headache, chills, fever, lethargy, and muscle pain in the initial stages. A bulls-eye shaped rash at the site of the tick bite can also occur in those infected, but not all infected persons develop the rash. The rash typically develops three to thirty days after the person is bitten. Later

Treat the gut first. Many people with chronic Lyme disease have gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in the good gut flora). A high quality, potent probiotic is a good first step.

Chronic Lyme disease isn't the only medical issues that Lacey Miller has. Lacey Miller has arthritis, dementia, loss of vision, seizures and many other medical problems. Lacey is currently unemployed and bedridden. Lacey doesn't let chronic Lyme disease let get her depressed, however. Lacey is a loving mother and wife that spends time with her family making them laugh and smile.

Lyme disease can be a very serious disease if not treated early enough. The most important way to keep from getting the disease is prevention. Education is the key to prevention. The only way to contract the disease is to be bitten by a tick that is carrying the bacteria Borrelia Burgoloferi. By educating the public on the facts of the disease and how it is transmitted will greatly lower the number of cases each year.

Physicians in Canada have not been properly exposed to the symptoms of clinical Lyme disease; therefore it has become difficult to diagnose a patient with clinical Lyme disease. Professional organizations, such as International Lyme and associated disease society, and Lyme literate medical doctors, have acknowledged the uncommonness of Lyme disease in Canada (Magnotta, 2015). Canada has been highlighted with concerns of misdiagnosis and the increased cost in public health care. The lack of research and resources in Canada, have caused physicians to dismiss the clinical symptoms of Lyme disease, and diagnose patients with a variety of other illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, chronic Fatigue syndrome, to name a few, or something less substantial such as increased anxiety or stress (Magnotta, 2015). A case study presented in Hospital News has recognized that the rarity of symptoms requires hospitals and clinics to do excessive amounts of testing and the patient is sent to different specialists. These chronic illnesses are associated with bacteria, but the Canadian health system needs to recognize that the underlying diagnoses are infections, where Lyme disease

For this assignment, I interviewed a close friend, Dana Rivard. Dana is also a first year student; she is from Massachusetts and majoring in Health Sciences. In a friendly conversation, a few weeks ago she mentioned having Lyme disease. I grew up in a rural part of Indiana so my childhood consisted of playing outside almost everyday. My front yard is full of trees, and because I live in a very forested area right across from a corn field, these trees often have ticks. My parents always warned us to be cautious of ticks by using insect repellant and making sure we were wearing long clothing if we were going to be close to the trees. Our dogs would often get a tick here or there that my parents would have to pull off, but only once or twice do I remember one of my siblings or cousins getting a tick on them. My parents and grandparents always warned us about Lyme disease, because it was such a prevalent topic in Indiana. As a child, it seemed as if my parents were overreacting, which is why it was so interesting to see that Dana had gotten Lyme disease.

Main Content: Different studies conducted by experts have found that Lyme disease is actually a complex of contaminations that are transferred into a human body by deer ticks and a few other insects. It can lead to flu like symptoms, muscle and joint pain. In fewer than 10% of Lyme cases, cardiac and neurological symptoms might occur. This happens generally when treatment is not provided or postponed for more than 1 month

Patient is the second child of a separated family. She reports that growing up was very chaotic because his father was physically and emotionally abusive towards her and her family. Patient’s father admitted himself in a psychiatric unit about 20 years ago for unknown reasons. She believes he fits the criteria for Bi-Polar I Disorder. Patients’ younger brother (22 years old) carries a diagnosis of Asperger’s and takes Prozac 20mg to treat symptoms of depression. Patient stopped talking to her father in 2010 after a dispute related to her brother. She reports that her mother is a good support system and they talk regularly. Her mother was diagnosed with Lyme disease during this past

The Ingham County Health Division will offer an immunization clinic for Mason and surrounding communities in the First United Methodist Church, Ash St. at Johnson on the second Wednesday of the month 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Massachusetts Public Health Association is a non-profit founded in 1879, and aims to focus on preventative policies for vulnerable disparities in health (MPHA, 2015). The mission of the organization aspires to be a catalyst for change in eliminating health inequalities, and creating a healthy environment for all communities.

Shaw-Stabler has battled systematic lupus for several years, enduring serious side effects, such as kidney failure, along the way. In her narrative, Live with the Wolf and Surviving Lupus, she provides optimistic views to patients struggling with lupus. She does this by encouraging lupus patients to “keep the faith and continue the fight,” (Shaw-Stabler, 2010 14). She goes onto explain that communication with one’s body is key when dealing with a chronic diseases such as lupus. This is because you can only take action once you know what your body is trying to communicate with you. For Shaw-Stabler, she began to listen to her body is 1978. This is when she discovered that she had lupus. The author acknowledges the fact that having lupus is hard; “Too often our disabilities are invisible, and in our culture, if one isn’t missing a limb or an eye or even bleeding visibly, they are not seen as being disabled,” (Shaw-Stabler, 2010 16). This maintains the notion that those with chronic diseases do not fit the sick role clearly. The sick role is defined as social expectations regarding how society should view sick people and how sick people should behave (Class notes: Social Meanings of Illness ppt

Throughout history, humankind has been exposed to millions of unique and troubling pathogens. Some of these pathogens are well known, such as the bubonic plague, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, but others are relatively unknown and remain shrouded in mystery. One such example has been spreading to become the most common vector-borne disease that occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This “hidden pandemic”, known as Lyme disease, is silently infecting hundreds of thousands of United States citizens each year, and numbers of new and untreated infections continue to climb as traditional treatments fail and doctors misdiagnose the condition. Spread by tick bites, Lyme disease has affected many lives and continues to infect countless individuals each and every day.

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia Burdoferi and is the most common vector borne (caused by a tick) illness in United States. 329,000 cases occur every year in United States, according to the CDC in 2015 [1]. Lyme disease is more prevalent in north eastern states. It is also said that the disease is highly under reported, indicating that numbers might be higher than what is reported by the CDC. Of cases reported to the United States CDC, the ratio of Lyme disease infection is 7.9 cases for every 100,000 persons. There are 10 states in the U.S. where the Lyme disease prevalence is the highest and the average was 31.6 cases for every 100,000 persons for the year 2005 [2]. The problem is immense. Classic sign is that of a target lesion or a bull’s eye rash and other symptoms that an untreated case can include are migratory pain or arthritis, impaired motor and sensory skills and an enlarged heart. Early diagnosis is important in preventing late-stage complications. If left untreated, the disease can spread to joints, heart and nervous system.