Causes and Symptoms of Lyme

Lyme disease is an epidemic. Often misdiagnosed or missed entirely, it can leave permanent, debilitating effects if not quickly and properly treated. Many doctors, even, do not do not fully understand Lyme disease.

Often, a tick bite is mistaken for a spider bite and left untreated. Also, doctors sometimes mistake the symptoms of Lyme with other disease for those of other diseases such as the Flu, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and even Depression or insanity. Some doctors are even afraid to treat Lyme- insurance companies have created controversy over its dubious nature. Doctors must fear losing their license for treating a "non-existant" disease or "improperly" treating another disease with similar symptoms. Lyme disease is a true problem- an invisible, unidentifiable killer that infects thousands every year.

Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacterium called a spirochete. The particular species of spirochete that is responsible for Lyme disease is called Borrelia burgdorferi, and it is spread by infected ticks.

Lyme disease affects different areas of the body in varying degrees as it progresses. The site where the tick bites the body is where the bacteria enter through the skin. Initially, the disease affects the skin, causing an expanding reddish rash often associated with "flu-like" symptoms. Later, it can produce abnormalities in the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Lyme disease is medically described in three phases as: (1) early localized disease with skin inflammation; (2) early disseminated disease with heart and nervous system involvement, including palsies and meningitis; and (3) late disease featuring motor and sensory nerve damage and brain inflammation and arthritis.