Chronic Lyme Disease Essay

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

I chose to do my research paper on Lyme disease. During my research, I found a lot of interesting facts about Lyme disease. The disease is caused by bacteria, called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is only transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected tick. Lyme disease was first discovered in 1975, in Lyme, Connecticut, after a group of children were diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This eventually led them to discover the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease was given its name in 1982, after the town of Lyme, Connecticut. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States. In 2014, it was the fifth most common Nationally Notifiable disease. Lyme disease is most prevalent in the northeast and upper Midwest.

My health promotion program will focus on Lyme disease. My state-Maryland is number one in the list of top ten states for Lyme disease in United States. According to Physicians Now (2016), "Although there were fewer cases of Lyme disease reported in 2012 than in previous years, the illness is still more common in Maryland than in many other states. There were 1,113 confirmed cases and 538 suspected cases in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

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.

Speaker Creditability: I know first-hand of what it's like to have Lyme disease after being diagnosed with late stage Lyme arthritis in 2014. I have had several treatments as well, but even after three years I can still feel Lyme’s effects.

In Nova Scotia, especially my residential area of Lunenburg County, Lyme Disease is an uprising problem. I myself initiated in a way to help raise awareness. Moreover, I produced a Facebook page to raise people’s knowledge regarding Lyme Disease, I created a survey to help the understanding of issues people may not be familiar with, and responded to any questions people had regarding Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Borrelia type.[1] The most common sign of infection is an expanding area of redness, known as erythema migrans, that begins at the site of a tick bite about a week after it has occurred. The rash is typically neither itchy nor painful. About 25% of people do not develop a rash. Other early symptoms may include fever, headache, and feeling tired. If untreated, symptoms may include loss of the ability to move one or both sides of the face, joint pains, severe headaches with neck stiffness, or heart palpitations, among others. Months to years later, repeated episodes of joint pain and swelling may occur. Occasionally, people develop shooting pains or tingling in their arms and legs. Despite appropriate treatment, about 10 to 20% of people also develop joint pains, have memory problems, and feel tired much of the time.[2]

Yolanda Foster can’t seem to catch a break with her critics. The reality star is a big part of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” but she has been so ill with Lyme disease that she needed to focus on getting better. Perhaps that’s why the celebrity is hitting back and reminding her critics that she needs to keep her health concerns first and maintain a positive attitude. According to StarPulse on Thursday, the reality star is clearly upset with how people have reacted to her illness and posted a message that reflects on her critic’s negativity.

Lyme borreliosis or Lyme disease can be devastating both physically and mentally for victims. The disease is transmitted by a vector, specifically a tick, which infects their host by biting and infecting them with pathological spirochete bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi (Muschart & Blommaert, 2015). There are several species of Borrelia globally, and as a group, the bacteria are referred to as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Pearson, 2015). The disease originated from, Lyme Connecticut, of which it was named, after a patient was mistakenly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when the cause of their disease was B. burgdorferi or Lyme disease (Snow, 2013). Lyme disease is classified as one of the most common and growing vector-born disease in the United States as well as Europe (Snow, 2013). Understanding how Lyme disease progresses through the body as well as the disease’s signs and symptoms are essential to understanding how to treat the disease and stop it from spreading throughout the body with destructive results. With a disease as potentially devastating as Lyme disease, early treatment is required for a better outcome (Pearson, 2015). This research paper will discuss the pathophysiology of three Lyme conditions known as Lyme arthritis, Lyme neuroborreliosis, and Lyme carditis and provide an overview of the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and treatments, and how to prevent infection.

In the early 1970s, a number of rheumatoid arthritis cases occurred in Lyme, Connecticut. Researchers considered several possible causes to outbreak, such as contact with germs in the water or air. However, their attention focused on the deer tick population as a probability once they realized that most of the affected children lived and/or played near wooded areas. Researchers discovered that the symptoms started during the height of tick season in the summer. Many of the children recalled seeing a rash before the arthritis started, and others remember being bitten by a tick at the site of the rash. By the mid 1970s, researchers started to associate these signs and symptoms with the disease, now called “Lyme Disease” to help physicians diagnose patients. However, it wasn’t until 1981 did researchers at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana discover the connection between the deer tick and Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is typically spread by ticks or most commonly known as deer ticks. It's estimated that over 300,000 people are diagnosed with lyme disease every year. Lyme disease is easily misdiagnosed  because its symptoms are closely related to other conditions. This disease could affect any part of the body , like the brain , nervous system , muscle and joints and the heart. Lyme disease can commonly mistaken for a number of other diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome , fibromyalgia , multiple sclerosis , and various other ones.  Signs of early lyme disease feel like the flu and have the same symptoms.

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

Lyme disease is an illness caused by bites from infected deer ticks. Specifically deer ticks infected by the bacterium called Borrelia Burgdorferi. This disease is usually only contracted on the west coast, in wooded areas where ticks could easily drop on you and attach. Although, it can be found in other parts of the United States as well. It is also found in more than sixty other countries worldwide. More than 300,000 people are infected by this disease per year. Lyme disease's symptoms mimic those of other diseases which is why it is called the “The Great imitator.” It can affect any  organ, including heart, lungs, and our nervous systems. This disease can be misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia and depression. Overall, Lyme Disease is a dangerous

Lyme disease is a disease where bacteria called borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted into an animal or human by a tick. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases it states that “Along with his RML colleague Alan Barbour, M.D., Dr. Burgdorfer continued

Lymphatic filariasis is a vector borne disease that can serve in the role of infectious disease by harboring pathogens that cause disease only in susceptible populations. Lymphatic filariasis is spread by infected mosquitoes because their bites deposition travels to the lymphatic system, causing it to affect the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. This is in over 80 tropical and subtropical countries, but mainly found in India. In some cases, Filariasis is one of the leading disability that can affect 120 million citizens but it is very rare. In time, the damage to the lymphatic system can cause swelling in the legs, arms, and genitals. This disease increases the risk of more bacterial infections that causes the skin to thicken and harden. In the