Lyme Disease Arthritis

Lyme Disease Arthritis

Lyme disease is an infection that is described in three phases: early localized disease, early disseminated disease and late disease. In the early phase of the disease, its symptoms are limited to rashes, flu-like symptoms and common aches and pain. However, autoimmune and neurodegenerative symptoms may be observed at its latter and advanced stage. But among the known symptoms of Lyme disease, it is the arthritic or rheumatologic symptoms that what give the greatest discomfort.

At the later phases of Lyme disease, the infection already interferes with the functions of several body symptoms, which include the nervous system and circulatory or heart functions. As the infection progress, it may start causing inflammation to the joints, which explains the migratory aches and pains observed among patients. Signs of these phenomena include swelling, stiffness and pain on the joints. This occurrence is common on the knees. This leads to the development of Lyme disease arthritis, which often starts from inflammatory arthritis to chronic arthritis. Unlike the traditional rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 2 matching joints of the body, Lyme disease arthritis affects only the joint that is nearest to the affected area of the body.

Rheumatoid disease and 100 more medical terms are used to describe the medical phenomena of suffering the consequences of the collagen tissue damage caused by bacterial, viral, protozoal and fungal infections. With the unlucky invasion of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, the rheumatoid condition resulting from the infection is called Lyme disease arthritis. As arthritic symptoms develop, it is important for patients to receive immediate treatment. Thankfully, when diagnosed early enough, this condition is prevented with antibiotic treatment. The effective use of antibiotic against the bacteria causing joint inflammation can effectively wipe out the invading population. Treatments for Lyme disease arthritis are usually accompanied with Lactobaccilus acididophilus1 to establish swift remission.

Hence, the key to effectively resolving Lyme disease arthritis is early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Physical examination is the general basis for Lyme disease diagnosis. The presence of the disease’s characteristically “bull’s-eye” rash is extremely helpful in guiding the doctor in making accurate diagnosis as well as in planning effective treatment. However, in the absence of the rash, the patient’s history such as his recent hiking trip is most helpful to the doctor’s evaluations. A definitive test to detect Borrelia burgdorferi may be possible but it is presently classified as a low-yield procedure. Culturing the bacteria is quite challenging and specimens usually contain extremely low population of the bacteria.

Lyme arthritis is a potentially disabling condition. Hence, extreme vigilance must be taken when one is to participate on an outdoor activity in which they may get bitten by an infected tick. It would be wise to protect all exposed skin areas for possible invasion of the parasite. Also, after your outdoor adventure, it is advisable that you examine your body and look for some insects that you may have collected outdoors. If you notice a tick attached to your skin, immediately have it removed. Also, immediately consult your doctor to guide you on how to prevent the effects of possible infection.