Lyme Disease Treatments Madisonville KY

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

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Lyme Disease Treatments FAQ in Madisonville, KY

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.

What does long term Lyme disease look like?

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.

Does Lyme disease destroy your immune system?

Lyme disease weakens the immune system, making it unable to produce antibodies. There isn’t a way to make your body produce more or better antibodies. However, you can get healthy antibodies from donors.

Can doxycycline cure late stage Lyme disease?

Although early-stage LD can be successfully treated with doxycycline or amoxicillin, late-stage LD with arthritis and neurological symptoms can be refractory to antibiotic treatment.

Can you recover from Lyme disease on your own?

It’s certainly possible for people to get Lyme disease and to clear the infection on their own, without treatment, said Dr. Kuritzkes. “But it’s better to be treated because some of the complications—like arthritis and myocarditis and damage to the central nervous system—can be very serious,” Dr. Kuritzkes said.

How do you live with Lyme disease?

Eat a healthy diet and limit your sugar intake. Get plenty of rest. Exercise at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes each day. Reduce stress. Use anti-inflammatory medication when necessary.

What is the strongest antibiotic for Lyme disease?

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) Ceftriaxone has excellent penetration of the blood-brain barrier and is one of the most effective drugs for Lyme disease.

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.

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.

Where does Lyme disease come from?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Ticks that can carry borrelia bacteria live throughout most of the United States. But Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.

Can Lyme disease affect behavior?

In severe cases, individuals with late-stage Lyme disease may experience impaired concentration, irritability, memory and sleep disorders, and painful nerve dysfunction.

Can Lyme disease be picked up in a blood test?

Blood tests which look for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are the main test. This is known as serology. If antibodies have not developed sufficiently, it is possible for these tests to be negative despite active infection.

What does Stage 2 Lyme disease look like?

Symptoms of early disseminated Lyme disease (Stage 2) may occur weeks to months after the tick bite, and may include: Numbness or pain in the distribution of a nerve. Paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face, especially a facial nerve palsy. Meningitis, characterized by severe headache, stiff neck, fever.

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).

What does a lymes rash look like?

The most common early sign of Lyme disease is a skin rash that has a “bull’s eye” appearance. It begins as a reddened area near the tick bite. As the rash increases in size, it clears in the middle and develops a red ring around the outside.