5 Crucial Things You Need To Know About Lyme Arthritis

If you are bitten by an infected tick, you could get Lyme disease. The disease was identified after rheumatoid arthritis cases rose in children in 1975. Research determined that ticks infected with the Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the source of the disease. Since some Lyme disease symptoms are similar to more common diseases like flu, some people may not seek appropriate medical treatment. Lyme arthritis often occurs in the last stages of Lyme disease. This condition is quite similar to common cases of inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It occurs when the Lyme disease bacteria starts to inflame the patient's joints

Certain specialists mention that Lyme disease has various stages. In the early stages, symptoms resemble those of the common flu, including fever, headaches, chills and body aches. The disease will start to infect other systems in the body if it is left untreated. In the last stage, the joints become inflamed which results in Lyme arthritis. Knee and shoulder joints are often the parts affected with Lyme arthritis. Other symptoms that manifest in the late stage of Lyme disease are severe headaches, anxiety and mood disorders.

Chronic arthritis may develop

Research has shown that an estimated 10% of Lyme disease that is left untreated may result to chronic arthritis. Continuous inflammation of the joints that last for a year or more is a symptom of chronic arthritis. Swelling, redness and fluid buildup in the joints are the possible symptoms.

People of any age can be affected by it

Both adults and children can suffer from Lyme arthritis as a result of Lyme disease. As a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) disclosed that children between 5 and 9 years old and adults older than 30 are the most common sufferers of the illness. Additionally, patients in 33% of the total number of reported cases experienced Lyme arthritis.

Its possible treatments include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications

Antibiotics are one of the treatment options for Lyme arthritis. A positive response rate of over 90% was reached with intravenous ceftriaxone; making it the most successful treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are also administered to patients and can provide relief from pain and swelling reduction. Still there are some rare cases that are not successfully resolved using these treatments. In such certain cases, bacteria could have become immune to the antibiotic medications.

The best solution is to prevent and treat Lyme disease as early as possible

Because Lyme arthritis develops in the late stage of Lyme disease, the most obvious form of prevention is to prevent Lyme disease or treat it as soon as possible. It is very crucial to know the preventive measures against Lyme disease including knowledge of its symptoms and available treatments.

Lyme arthritis is a serious condition, but its effects can be prevented and cured.


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