Why is Lyme disease so bad?

Up to 20 percent of Lyme disease cases can cause lasting symptoms, including arthritis in the joints, cognitive difficulties, chronic fatigue, and sleep disturbances, even after antibiotic treatment, according to the CDC . This condition is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).

What kind of pain does Lyme disease cause?

In fact, following infection with B. burgdorferi, about 60% of people develop a condition called Lyme arthritis, the hallmarks of which are inflamed and painful joints. Lyme arthritis can persist for months or even years in some cases.

Do you have sore throat with Lyme disease?

A 2011 study about the similarities between Lyme and other summer illnesses published in the journal Orthopedic Reviews notes that “respiratory symptoms such as sore throat may occur in non-viral summer infections such as Lyme disease.” Does it feel like your head is about to explode every time you chew?

Can a person with Lyme disease have arthritis?

Although doctors can often treat Lyme disease with antibiotics, if they do not catch it early, the bacteria can cause long-term issues with the individual’s joints. In fact, following infection with B. burgdorferi, about 60% of people develop a condition called Lyme arthritis, the hallmarks of which are inflamed and painful joints.

How does sleep help with Lyme disease pain?

The center of a pain control strategy in Lyme disease is sleep. Sleep helps in two ways. Getting adequate sleep decreases pain sensitivity, which increases pain tolerance. Sleep also lowers inflammation cytokines that lead to Lyme pain.

Does Lyme disease cause a lot of pain?

“Lyme disease can cause a sharp increase in pain and a lot of swelling in the joints,” says Joseph Ciotola, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “It can also make you feel extra-tired.”

What are the most common side effects of Lyme disease?

Bone pain. chills. cough. fever. muscle aches. runny or stuffy nose. shivering. skin rash, itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before vaccination.

How serious is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is serious. It can lead to permanent and significant problems. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to cardiac and nervous system problems. Thinking abilities such as memory and concentration may be affected. Furthermore, arthritis can develop, causing pain and swelling in the joints.

Is chronic Lyme disease a real thing?

Chronic Lyme disease is not a medical diagnosis, and the CDC recommends against using the term at all. Still, some doctors use it to describe situations in which a confirmed case of Lyme disease is treated, but the patient still has lingering symptoms.