Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease is a condition commonly caused by bacteria called Borrelia. The characteristic lyme disease symptoms include a rash known as erythema migrans. This rash is observed in regions near the tick bite. Around 85% individuals suffering from this condition tend to have this rash. The rash may start as a red spot that is small in size.

The rash which is a common part of lyme disease symptoms tends to spread or expand with time. The rash is circular or oval in size and tends to resemble a bull’s eye. The size of the rash may be as big as a dime or one foot in diameter. With the spreading of infection the rash may also appear in several other locations of the body.

The rash which is a part of lyme disease symptoms is observed in around 8 out of 10 cases of this condition. The rash may look like a bull’s eye and it is advisable for individuals having this rash to seek medical consultation. The other symptoms that are often observed in this condition include feeling ill, fever, and stiffness in the neck, headache, fatigue and body ache.

Lyme disease symptoms may also include arthritis symptoms. This is particularly relevant when the disease is not treated and in such a case around 60% of individuals will suffer from symptoms related to arthritis. Some other symptoms related with this condition include neurological symptoms which may be observed in 15% of lyme disease cases.

Neurological lyme disease symptoms may include partial paralysis in the face, weakness or numbness within the limbs, changes in moods or sleeping habits etc. Irregular heartbeats along with inflammation of sac surrounding the heart may also be observed in around 10% of cases. Some other uncommon symptoms related with this condition include hepatitis, encephalitis and eye infection.

The symptoms tend to occur in stages as the disease slowly progresses. In the early stage the rash is observed and this rash may develop in a period of around 1 to 4 weeks. In the second stage the symptoms include feeling tired, recurrent fainting or headaches, palpitations, poor memory etc.

Typical lyme disease symptoms also include severe pains that tend to jump from one joint to another. In other cases the pains may last for shorter durations of time and affect teeth or temporal mandibular joints as well. A number of patients also tend to experience crawling feelings or sensations within their bodies together with vibrations or shock like feelings.

Some other lyme disease symptoms may also include cognitive dysfunction and this may lead to memory loss on a short term basis. Increased sensitivity to sounds and hearing loss or tinnitus are also some other symptoms related with this condition. Some patients may suffer from shortness of breath, abdominal pains along with palpitations.

Correct diagnosis and treatment of this condition is extremely crucial as in some cases multiple sclerosis may also be a part of the disease. It is important that patients remove the ticks immediately after they are detected.