Lyme disease is a disease that has been extensively studied for the last forty years. It has been established that the causative organisms are bacteria known as spirochetes. Different species have been discovered over time. The symptoms associated with the illness are variable and may include, skin lesions, multiple joint pains, symptoms of heart disease and central nervous system abnormalities. Knowing how to treat Lyme disease is important for Tucson, AZ residents.
The vector ticks that play a central in the transmission are parasites of deer in many geographical regions of the world. One a human is bitten by these ticks the bacteria are released into the blood stream where they begin to incubate. As a result, the disease typically has two phases; an early brief phase that is localised and a prolonged systemic late phase.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
A special technique, ELISA, is used in the detection of the antibodies. It is important to remember that antibodies may be detected in blood in the absence of an illness. They tend to remain in the blood stream even when the patient has been treated and cured. Interpretation of a positive result should therefore be treated with a lot of caution. The nonspecific nature of the illness is another major challenge as it resembles other diseases.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime are some of the drugs that are used for early phase treatment. If treated promptly the early phase of the illness resolves in a week or two and usually there are no long term consequences. Doxycycline is, however, contraindicated in expectant women and children under the age of 8. The drugs that are commonly used once complications set in include ceftriaxone ad penicillin G. Unfortunately, no home remedies exist.
Supportive management is also necessary due to the many associated complications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents are often part of treatment. For very severe joint pain, aspiration of synovial fluid from the affected joints is helpful. It is important to seek the opinion of a qualified health expert before starting treatment.
Research has established that this illness has the highest incidence among children 5 to 14 years. Another peak is at 40 to 50 years among adults. The biggest risk factor to contracting this illness is living in an area with tick infested deer. Fortunately, transmission does not occur through contact or across the placenta.
The vector ticks that play a central in the transmission are parasites of deer in many geographical regions of the world. One a human is bitten by these ticks the bacteria are released into the blood stream where they begin to incubate. As a result, the disease typically has two phases; an early brief phase that is localised and a prolonged systemic late phase.
During the first phase, there is flu like illness a few days after being bitten. The second phase follows an incubation period of about two weeks. More advanced conditions may manifest as meningitis, cerebral palsy or arthritis. In the long term, some persons have been found to be extraordinarily anxious and depressed. To diagnose the illness there is need to corroborate the history with the appearance of specific antibodies in the blood.
A special technique, ELISA, is used in the detection of the antibodies. It is important to remember that antibodies may be detected in blood in the absence of an illness. They tend to remain in the blood stream even when the patient has been treated and cured. Interpretation of a positive result should therefore be treated with a lot of caution. The nonspecific nature of the illness is another major challenge as it resembles other diseases.
The treatment of this illness is mainly by use of antibiotics. There are many types of antibiotics that are used with the choice being determined by the severity and area of body involved. Oral drugs are good enough for the early disease. Intravenous drugs, on the other hand, are preferred when treating more advanced disease. Treatment that is started early gives better outcomes.
Doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime are some of the drugs that are used for early phase treatment. If treated promptly the early phase of the illness resolves in a week or two and usually there are no long term consequences. Doxycycline is, however, contraindicated in expectant women and children under the age of 8. The drugs that are commonly used once complications set in include ceftriaxone ad penicillin G. Unfortunately, no home remedies exist.
Supportive management is also necessary due to the many associated complications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents are often part of treatment. For very severe joint pain, aspiration of synovial fluid from the affected joints is helpful. It is important to seek the opinion of a qualified health expert before starting treatment.
Research has established that this illness has the highest incidence among children 5 to 14 years. Another peak is at 40 to 50 years among adults. The biggest risk factor to contracting this illness is living in an area with tick infested deer. Fortunately, transmission does not occur through contact or across the placenta.
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