Experts are expecting an increase in tick-borne illness this summer for many reasons.  Starting with isolation fatigue due to the pandemic. 

The Centers for Disease Control CDC says that Lyme disease is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the US. Currently, nearly 300,000 cases are being reported annually, representing close to 34 new cases per hour. At this rate, Lyme cannot be ignored, so today we will share all that you should know about Lyme

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme is an infectious disease caused by tick bites. The tick becomes infected by the bacteria B. burgdorfeli, after being contaminated by sick deer, or mice. Most patients, do not remember being bitten by a tick, however, the tick needs to be present from a time range of 24-48 hours for it to be contagious. 

Some Facts About Lyme Ticks

Ticks are blood-sucking arachnids that can be as small as the head of a pin or as large as a pencil eraser. With eight legs, they look like a smaller version of a spider. They can range in color from reddish-brown to black.
As they engorge themselves on blood, they grow and can turn a greenish-blue color.

Symptomatology Of Lyme Disease

According to the Lyme Disease organization, close to 74% of patients experienced at least 1 symptom that they considered severe. The following list is considered as “The Lyme Checklist” and it helps patients determine whether or not they can be infected. 

Most Common Symptoms of Lyme:

  • Butterfly skin rash: Most of the Lyme patients, or at least 70% of them, mention that they experienced some sort of skin rash as an initial symptom. 
  • Common cold symptoms like fever, neck pain, general fatigue, and chills.
  • Insomnia and lethargy.
  • Gut issues such as lack of appetite and nausea.
  • Joint pain.
  • Mood swings.
  • Anxiety and depression.
  • Cognitive or mental challenges such as brain fog, headaches, and forgetfulness.

The mentioned symptoms vary depending on the disease stage present in the patient. Most patients experience them in the following order:
Lyme Stages:

  • Stage 1:  The patient has been bitten recently (1 or 2 weeks after the bite) and they are experiencing early symptoms such as skin rash or skin bruises. The reason for this is that the bacteria is multiplying in the bloodstream and is spreading around the affected area.
  • Stage 2: During this phase, the bacteria has spread through the body, and the patient experiences cold-like symptoms like fever, sore throat, fatigue, headaches. 
  • Stage 3: This stage is where 90% of patients visit their Doctors. During phase 1 patients tend to think that it is a simple rash, and on stage 2 they just treat it like a regular cold. Now in stage 3, the bacteria has spread through the body and it can not be ignored. Symptoms include headaches, joint pain, mental fog, forgetfulness, memory loss, heartbeat alterations, and numbness in the limbs.

How to avoid tick-related illnesses

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas where deer ticks live, especially wooded, bushy areas with long grass. You can decrease your risk of getting Lyme disease with some simple precautions:

  • Cover up. When in wooded or grassy areas, wear shoes, long pants tucked into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and gloves. 
  • Use insect repellents. Apply insect repellent with a 20% or higher concentration of DEET to your skin. Parents should apply repellant to their children, avoiding their hands, eyes, and mouth.
  • Do your best to tick-proof your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks live. Mow your lawn regularly. Stack wood neatly in dry, sunny areas to discourage rodents that carry ticks.
  • Check your clothing, yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Be especially vigilant after spending time in wooded or grassy areas. Deer ticks are often no bigger than the head of a pin, so you might not discover them unless you search carefully. It’s helpful to shower as soon as you come indoors. 
  • Remove a tick as soon as possible with tweezers. Gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth. Don’t squeeze or crush the tick, but pull carefully and steadily. Once you’ve removed the entire tick, dispose of it by putting it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet, and apply antiseptic to the bite area.

Stem Cell Therapy for Lyme Disease

Stem cell therapy has been found to be incredibly beneficial for Lyme patients in all stages.
Stem cells modulate the immune system, causing Lyme symptoms to decrease dramatically, easing all sorts of pain, joint sufferings, and numbness. At a cerebral level, stem cells decrease inflammation, alleviating brain fog and neuro conditions.

Patients experience side benefits such as increased energy and better gut condition. Stem cell therapy results are visible right after a month, starting with pain reduction, increased mobility, and overall health improvement.
Lyme disease can lead to long-term complications when left untreated if you experience any of the symptoms listed above we highly encourage you to seek medical advice as soon as possible to prevent future complications. Take care of yourself!

At Rehealth, we believe that having informed patients is the only way to deliver optimal healthcare. Visit our website to find out more interesting content and be a part of an amazing health integrated community!


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Sources:

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)60731-3/fulltexthttps://draxe.com/lyme-disease-symptoms/https://www.healthline.com/health/lyme-disease#prevention

Michelle Ibarra