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What Autoimmune Diseases Are Associated With Lyme?

Lyme disease can develop in people who are bitten by a tick infected with the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. It takes roughly 24–36 hours for the tick to pass on the infectious bacteria to humans through feeding. Once that happens, the bacterium goes through the body, potentially affecting multiple aspects of overall health (including triggering several autoimmune diseases associated with Lyme).

There are over 40 symptoms associated with Lyme disease, all of which can present in a severe and debilitating manner. Diagnosing and treating Lyme disease comes with its own challenges because it can present similarly to other diseases. In some cases, post-treatment symptoms can still occur. The bacteria can evade the immune system well, leading to long-term infectious and adverse health effects.

While Lyme disease can cause severe health issues and permanent damage to tissues, organs, and joints, new research is shedding light on what other detrimental effects a Lyme infection can have. Researchers have found a connection with one specific type of disease, known as autoimmune disease. But what autoimmune diseases are associated with Lyme, and why does the bacterial infection drive the onset of these diseases in otherwise healthy individuals? Let’s investigate.

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Can Lyme Disease Cause Jaundice?

Lyme disease is caused by the borrelia bacteria and can lead a variety of health complications if left untreated. Between three and 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick, a person may experience symptoms that resemble the flu, such as a fever, muscle and joint aches, headache, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.

A bulls-eye rash also appears around the site of the bite for the majority of people who have contracted the disease; however, 20–30% of people may not get a rash at all. Because of these non-specific symptoms, many people may not know that they’ve contracted Lyme disease and therefore won’t seek out proper treatment.

As the infection continues to plague the body, more symptoms will develop that can be more severe and damaging. These can include severe headaches and neck stiffness, a loss of muscle tone in the face, arthritis with joint pain and swelling, an irregular heartbeat, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and nerve pain. These symptoms can happen days or even months after a person first contracts the infection.

Clearly, Lyme disease has the ability to affect many organs in the body. But can Lyme disease cause jaundice as a result of liver problems?

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Can Lyme Disease Cause PANDAS?

Lyme disease can affect both physical and mental health in various ways. The disease, transmitted by infected ticks, is caused by the borrelia bacteria. When Lyme disease is not treated promptly, it can lead to health issues such as cognitive decline, joint pain and inflammation, arthritic conditions, and nervous system issues. Lyme disease has also been associated with the onset or worsening of other health conditions.

If a child contracts Lyme disease, they can also develop a condition known as PANDAS. But what is PANDAS, exactly? And can Lyme disease cause PANDAS directly?

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3 Treatment Options For Lyme Arthritis

Lyme disease is transmitted by infected ticks. It is caused by the borrelia bacteria and can lead to initial health issues such as flu-like symptoms, muscle aches and pains, and a bulls-eye rash around the area of the bite. If Lyme disease is caught early and doesn’t have the chance to spread too far throughout the body, it can be easily treated with antibiotics. In some cases, though, antibiotics may miss some of the bacteria, and this can lead to significantly more serious health conditions such as Lyme arthritis.

Lyme arthritis is a condition that occurs when bacteria invade the tissue in the joints and cause inflammation. When this is left untreated, that inflammation worsens and can eventually lead to permanent damage in the affected joints. Roughly one in four people who get Lyme disease will develop Lyme arthritis. So what are the treatment options for Lyme arthritis? Read on to find out.

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What’s The Difference Between Lyme Arthritis and Osteoarthritis?

Lyme disease can affect the body in many ways. The initial infection typically involves symptoms such as a bulls-eye rash at the bite site, fatigue, muscle aches, and fever. Other symptoms that may also occur include headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain and swelling. These can appear at any time following the transmission of the bacterial infection; however, the typical onset is between one and two weeks after the initial bite.

Some people with Lyme disease may not experience the symptoms early on, or may mistake them for other ailments such as a cold or flu. When this happens, the Lyme disease goes untreated, which can lead to more serious health complications. One such complication is Lyme arthritis. But what is Lyme arthritis, exactly? And what’s the difference between Lyme arthritis and osteoarthritis?

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