About Lyme Disease

The following is an excerpt from "An Overview of Lyme Disease and Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy" by

Mitchell L. Hoggard and L. James Johnson. The article can be found in it's entirety at http://www.hbotoday.com/treatment/lymedisease.shtml

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a spirochete (spiral-shaped bacteria) called Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The bacterium is named after the person who discovered it, Dr. Willy Burgdorfer. Lyme disease is named after the Connecticut town of Lyme where it was first recognized in the United States in 1977. The first record of a condition associated with Lyme disease dates back to the 1880's.

Both humans and animals can be infected with the Bb organism through the bite of an infected tick. Over 100 strains of the bacterium that cause Lyme disease have been identified in the United States. Lyme infection is usually transmitted by, though not limited to, three species of tick:

The black-legged tick (ixodes scapularis) on the East Coast and in the Midwest (commonly known as the deer tick).

The western black-legged tick (ixodes pacificus) in the Western U.S. (also commonly known as the deer tick).

The lone star tick (amblyomma americanum), located within a rectangle encompassing Texas, Florida, Rhode Island, and Iowa.

Lyme disease is also a global problem. There are reports that 300 bacterial strains of the Bb organism have been identified throughout the world. Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Symptoms

Early signs of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms (headache, fever, muscle aches, joint pain and fatigue) and a Lyme rash. Most symptoms show up days or weeks and occasionally months following infection.

The Lyme rash is referred to as erythema migrans or EM. It is important to remember that the rash may not show up at all, or it may appear too light in color to be noticed. The rash can be shaped like a bulls-eye, it can be smooth or bumpy, it may or may not feel warm, and there can be multiple rashes that can appear at the site of the tick bite or elsewhere on the body.

Once the infection becomes established, symptoms of Lyme disease vary but may include pain in muscles and joints, fatigue, swollen glands, fever, upset stomach, headache, forgetfulness, sleep disorders, depression, and sensitivity to light and sound, to name a few.

Lyme Confusion

The medical community is often perplexed by the highly individual and complex nature of Lyme disease. Some people experience Lyme disease as a minor illness that appears to be easily treated with antibiotic therapy without any long-lasting complications. Others are not as fortunate.

When Lyme disease goes undetected, undiagnosed and untreated for months or years following infection, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system, the heart and other organs, tendons and joints. This late-stage infection can result in a wide variety of physical, emotional, and mental or cognitive symptoms.

The late-stage list of symptoms is long and can include arthritis, heart abnormalities, Bell's palsy (paralysis of one or both sides of the face) and severe cognitive or mental dysfunction including memory loss, confusion, psychiatric problems, etc.

Lyme disease is often referred to as the Great Pretender because the symptoms of Lyme disease can so closely mimic the symptoms of other diseases. Although no official numbers exist on this subject, Lyme patients have been misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, menopause, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and Lou Gehrig's disease. Other patients have failed to receive any kind of definitive diagnosis long after the presentation of symptoms.

Early Detection Is Paramount

Nearly all Lyme medical specialists agree that early detection and treatment of Lyme disease significantly improves the chance of a full recovery. Although not proven, some experts believe that there is up to a six to eight week window of opportunity following infection when treating the disease with antibiotic therapy can result in a high cure rate and lessen the chance of chronic, long-term problems.

It has been reported that it takes an average of 22 months and seven doctors for the average Lyme patient to be diagnosed with a Bb infection. This follows the fact that many people infected with Lyme disease do not remember being bitten by a tick, which can further delay treatment. The inability to diagnose and treat Lyme disease in a timely fashion may be adding to the number of patients who suffer from chronic symptoms.

It is estimated by some that as many as 20 percent of Lyme patients suffer from persistent and chronic symptoms. This figure may be too low. Obviously, more research would be helpful. However, what is clear is that the importance of early diagnosis and treatment cannot be over-emphasized.