Lyme Disease Treatments Howell MI

Find top doctors who perform Lyme Disease Treatments in Howell, MI. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Howell, MI.

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Lyme Disease Treatments FAQ in Howell, MI

What part of the body does Lyme disease affect?

Lyme disease can affect different body systems, such as the nervous system, joints, skin, and heart. The symptoms of Lyme disease are often described as happening in three stages.

What does Lyme disease do to your organs?

Lyme disease can affect the heart. This can lead to an irregular heart rhythm, which can cause dizziness or heart palpitations. It can also spread to the nervous system, causing facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) or meningitis. The last stage of Lyme disease happens if the early stages weren’t found or treated.

What diseases mimic Lyme disease?

Called the “great imitator,” Lyme disease can present a variety of symptoms that mimic a wide range of illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, insomnia, and autoimmune disorders such as RA and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Can Lyme disease spread from person to person?

There is no evidence that Lyme disease is transmitted from person-to-person. For example, a person cannot get infected from touching, kissing, or having sex with a person who has Lyme disease. Untreated Lyme disease during pregnancy can lead to infection of the placenta.

How do you test for Lyme disease?

A doctor will test your blood for antibodies that are trying to fight the bacteria in your blood. One of these tests is called the ELISA test, and you’ll often have a second test called the Western blot test to confirm you have Lyme disease. To treat Lyme disease, you may need to take antibiotics for up to a month.

What part of the body is most affected by Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection you get from the bite of an infected tick. At first, Lyme disease usually causes symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. But if it is not treated early, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system. Prompt treatment can help you recover quickly.

How do you know if you have chronic Lyme disease?

Chronic Lyme disease is an ongoing Borrelia burgdorferi infection that can involve any body system or tissue. The infection produces a wide range of symptoms and signs, which can be debilitating for some patients. Common symptoms include severe fatigue, migratory musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and impaired memory.

How does your body feel when you have Lyme disease?

Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis. The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely. Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):

Can you get rid of Lyme disease?

Although most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with a 2- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics, patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that lasts for more than 6 months after they finish treatment. This condition is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Can late stage Lyme disease be cured?

Without early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, Lyme disease can cause many serious long-term health complications. But even people with late-stage Lyme disease can recover fully with the right treatment. It may take longer to get back to normal, and you may need several courses of medication.

How do you test for Lyme disease years later?

The diagnosis of late-stage Lyme disease can be very difficult, and is usually made by a specialist in infectious diseases. The diagnosis can be confirmed if the affected person has had the characteristic ‘bull’s eye’ rash and has lived or worked in areas where ticks are present, or with a blood test.

Can Lyme cause death?

If it lands in the heart, it can cause disturbances in cardiac conduction — arrhythmias or even complete heart block; cardiac Lyme disease can lead to death if not detected and treated early.

What does Lyme disease do to your brain?

Neurological complications most often occur in early disseminated Lyme disease, with numbness, pain, weakness, facial palsy/droop (paralysis of the facial muscles), visual disturbances, and meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, and severe headache.

What does Lyme disease do if left untreated?

If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods.

Can Lyme trigger an autoimmune disease?

Indeed, there is growing evidence that Lyme disease and other bacterial infections can trigger autoimmune diseases, especially in patients who are genetically predisposed to them.