Lyme disease is often called “the great imitator” because its symptoms can be easily mistaken for those of other conditions. There are three stages of a Lyme infection, all of which present with various ailments comparable to well-known disorders. For example, during the first stage of the disease, people experience symptoms that resemble the flu.
As Lyme advances to Stage 2, symptoms that resemble heart problems can be present. Late-stage Lyme disease, or Stage 3 of the infection, can present similarly to arthritis, vertigo, cognitive disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Because of its ability to appear as something else entirely, it isn’t easy to diagnose Lyme.
One other condition that Lyme disease can mimic is Bell’s palsy. But what is Bell’s palsy, and what symptoms occur in Lyme disease that present in a similar manner? Read on to learn how to differentiate Bell’s palsy from Lyme-related facial palsy.
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