• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Very Healthy Life

  • Symptoms
  • Natural Remedies
  • Nutrition / Life

July 18, 2017 | Click to Search Articles

16 Signs of Lyme Disease

An estimated 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given the high incidence of this disease, as well as the fact that anyone is susceptible to it, it is important to be as informed as possible about this condition.

You have probably heard about Lyme disease before, and you have likely heard about how the disease is transmitted; you may even know someone who is affected by it. However, in order to ensure that you know as much as possible about this disease, it’s important to understand it fully. What is Lyme disease? How is it contracted? What are the signs and symptoms? In this article, we will introduce you to the basics of Lyme disease.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a health condition that is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is primarily transmitted to human beings via deer ticks. These small creatures are often found in tall grasses and wooded areas. Once the tick attaches itself or bites onto, a person, if it infected with the bacteria, it transmits it into its victim’s bloodstream. The bacteria that causes Lyme is often referred to as ‘the great imitator’ because symptoms that are associated with it are usually very similar to other illnesses. It affects any organ with the body, including the central nervous system, the brain, the muscles, the joints, and the heart.

Those who are infected with Lyme disease are often diagnosed with other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and even mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Misdiagnosis of this condition can delay the treatment of the underlying infection, which can complicate the side effects.

How is Lyme Disease Contracted?

As mentioned above, Lyme disease is usually the result of a bite from a deer tick that has been infected with the bacteria that causes this illness. These ticks are very tiny, about the size of a poppy seed, and their bites are painless. Because of the small size of the tick and the inability to feel when they bite, they often go unnoticed when they attach themselves onto a person. If left undisturbed, an infected tick will begin feeding on its prey’s blood. The longer the tick is left attached, the greater the chance that Lyme disease will be transferred into a person’s bloodstream.

Pregnant women who are infected with Lyme disease run the risk of transmitting it to their unborn child. There is suspicion that other forms of human-to-human transmission exist, but these methods have not been confirmed.

How is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?

Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the symptoms that a patient exhibits, as well as his or her exposure to ticks. There are also blood tests that can help to diagnose the disease; however, they are not always reliable, as their efficacy depends on the stage of the disease. For example, in the first few weeks of the infection, a blood test may come back negative, as it can take several weeks for the antibodies in the disease to develop and be picked up by a blood test. Because of their unreliability, blood tests are usually only given to people who are exhibiting signs of Lyme disease.

Next »

Popular Articles

12 Omega-3 Foods That Are Great for Your Heart

Enhance your heart health by adding Omega-3 EFA’s to your diet plan. These beneficial essential …

[Read More...] about 12 Omega-3 Foods That Are Great for Your Heart

20 Healing Benefits of Ginger Root

Ginger is one of the most common ingredients in our food and its popularity spans multiple different …

[Read More...] about 20 Healing Benefits of Ginger Root

15 Effective Tips For Migraine Relief

Migraines affect a large part of the population, and it can be one of the most debilitating health …

[Read More...] about 15 Effective Tips For Migraine Relief

Primary Sidebar

20 Sugar Substitutes for a Healthy Lifestyle

Sugar is everywhere. It is in our drinks, it is in our sweets and desserts and it is in a host of …

15 Foods You Should Include in Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

It was perhaps around 1500 BC that the medical Papyrus also known as Ebers Papyrus first recorded …

Popular on Very Healthy Life

10 Important Facts About Antioxidants

When it comes to antioxidants there is so much to know. Chances are high that you have heard that …

15 Early Signs of MS Crucial to Catch in Time

Multiple sclerosis (often abbreviated to simply MS) is an increasingly common health condition …

10 Natural Food Poisoning Treatments

When you are enjoying some of your favorite foods it is really hard to believe that it could make …

You May Also Like

10 Real Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

By now we are sure that you will have heard a lot about coffee by now – and you will have heard …

[Read More...] about 10 Real Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

17 Easy Ways to Achieve Sciatica Pain Relief

There are a few conditions that are more unpleasant and distracting that sciatic nerve pain. This is …

[Read More...] about 17 Easy Ways to Achieve Sciatica Pain Relief

11 Main Chlamydia Symptoms in Women & Men

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the tiny bacterium known as chlamydia …

[Read More...] about 11 Main Chlamydia Symptoms in Women & Men

Footer

Disclaimer

This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.

  • Search Articles
  • Latest Articles
  • About VHL
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie Declaration
  • Push Notifications

Copyright © 2023 · All Rights Reserved