Tag: Lyme Symptoms

woman experiencing brain fog
News

Can Lyme Disease Give You Brain Fog?

Angelica Bottaro

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. The disease is transmitted through tick bites. When a tick with the bacteria latches onto a human host to feed on their blood, it transmits the bacteria into the bloodstream. From there, the bacteria have free reign over the entire body and can move into tissues long-term. But can Lyme disease give you brain fog or other cognitive symptoms?

Typically, Lyme disease presents with mild flu-like symptoms early on, alongside a bullseye rash around the tick bite. After those symptoms pass, the bacteria can cause other health issues as they freely roam into the joints, central nervous system, and brain. When the infection spreads, it can lead to many symptoms that affect brain health, including brain fog. But what is the connection between Lyme disease and brain fog, and can it be treated?

Continue reading “Can Lyme Disease Give You Brain Fog?” →
black legged tick
News

Are Lyme Disease Symptoms Cyclical?

Angelica Bottaro

Since Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, many assume it’s simple to treat: you take antibiotics, and the bacteria die. However, that is not always the case. While some people can treat their Lyme disease with no issue, many go on to suffer long-term consequences from the infection. A condition known as post-Lyme disease syndrome affects many people, meaning they continue to experience Lyme disease symptoms long after treatment has occurred. 

Lyme disease symptoms are not fun to deal with and can even cause permanent damage to various areas of the body. But how exactly do symptoms develop? And are Lyme disease symptoms cyclical or constant? 

Continue reading “Are Lyme Disease Symptoms Cyclical?” →
person covering face with hand
News

How To Differentiate Bell’s Palsy From Lyme-Related Facial Palsy

Angelica Bottaro

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.

Continue reading “How To Differentiate Bell’s Palsy From Lyme-Related Facial Palsy” →
back pain
News

Can Lyme Disease Cause Trigger Points?

talktick

Lyme disease is known for its capacity to wreak havoc on the entire body, especially if it isn’t treated early. This is because the borrelia bacteria has a particular way of setting up shop deep within the body’s and evading immune cells and antibiotic treatment. In some cases, treating Lyme disease early can lead to a full recovery. In others, even people who have treated their Lyme disease can end up with what is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. If the infection is left untreated for too long, irreparable damage can be done within the body.

While symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue are commonly associated with Lyme disease, the condition can also affect many other aspects of the body such as the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the musculoskeletal system. When the musculoskeletal system is attacked, for example, it can lead to pain and inflammation in the joints, tendons, bones, and muscles. So can Lyme disease cause trigger points as well? Read on to learn more.

Continue reading “Can Lyme Disease Cause Trigger Points?” →
contrast sensitivity
News

Contrast Sensitivity Impairment In Post-Treatment Lyme Disease

talktick

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can present with mild to moderate symptoms upon the initial infection. When a person seeks treatment promptly, their chances of destroying the bacteria completely are higher; however, if treatment is delayed, the bacteria can essentially “camp out” within the tissues of the body, causing chronic post-Lyme disease symptoms.

When someone develops post-Lyme disease syndrome, they can experience issues with various parts of the body – the bacteria doesn’t discriminate, and can attack several different organs and organ systems. In some cases, Lyme disease can attack the structures of the eye, such as the optic nerve. When this happens, the eye structures become inflamed, which affects vision and could bring on pain in the eyes. In some cases, other vision issues can develop, such as contrast sensitivity. But what is contrast sensitivity, exactly? And what is the evidence surrounding contrast sensitivity impairment in post-treatment Lyme disease?

Continue reading “Contrast Sensitivity Impairment In Post-Treatment Lyme Disease” →