Neck Pain From Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is commonly associated with tick bites and a big circular rash. However, a tick bite does not hurt and many people do not recall being bit or seeing the rash. Further complicating matters, Lyme disease symptoms may start out minor and not become problematic for months or longer.
Lyme disease causes neck pain in more than 30% of cases. Watch:Neck Pain Causes Video
Media reports rarely focus on neck pain with Lyme disease, but some estimates note that it occurs in more than 30% of the cases and is typically one of the earlier symptoms.1 Recognizing Lyme disease early and seeking treatment can make a big difference in the outcome.
What Triggers Lyme Headaches
Lyme disease headaches are triggered by the Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii spirochetes being active, causing inflammation throughout the body and in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The bacteria causing Lyme disease can pass through phases of dormancy and activation. While dormant, a person may exhibit few or no symptoms. When active, the persons symptoms can return in full force, causing migraines, fatigue, and a host of other Lyme Disease symptoms.
Outlook For Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
If you receive a diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics at this stage, you can expect to be cured of Lyme disease. Without treatment, complications can occur. Treatments are available for the complications.
In rare cases, you may experience a continuation of Lyme disease symptoms after antibiotic treatment. This is called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome .
Some people who were treated for Lyme disease report muscle and joint pain, cognitive difficulties, sleep issues, or fatigue after their treatments were finished.
The cause of this is unknown. However, researchers believe it may be due to an autoimmune response in which your immune system attacks healthy tissues. It may also be linked to an ongoing infection with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
The practices below can reduce your likelihood of contracting Lyme disease and having it progress to the early disseminated stage.
Read Also: Long Term Antibiotic Use For Lyme Disease
What If A Tick Bites My Dog
The more ticks in your region, the likelier it is that your furry pal will bring them home.
Your dog is much more likely to be bitten by a tick than you are. And where Lyme disease is common, up to 25% of dogs have had it at some point.
About 10% of dogs with Lyme disease will get sick. 7-21 days after a tick bite, your dog might seem like theyâre walking on eggshells. They also might have a fever and enlarged lymph nodes. Plus, they might seem tired. Dogs also get antibiotics for Lyme.
What if my dog brings ticks into my home?
Use a tick control product on your pet to prevent Lyme disease. Also, have your dog vaccinated against Lyme.
Check your dogâs whole body each day for bumps. If you notice a swollen area, see if thereâs a tick there. If you find a tick, wear gloves while you use tweezers to separate it from your dog. Then, put it in soapy water or alcohol, or flush it down the toilet.
Use alcohol to clean the spot on your dog where the tick was attached. Keep an eye on that spot, and also on your dog to make sure theyâre behaving normally. If you notice any changes, check with your vet.
Show Sources
John Aucott, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine director, Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center.
CDC.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: âVital Signs: Trends in Reported Vectorborne Disease Cases — United States and Territories, 2004-2016.â
American College of Rheumatology.
Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms
There is currently only one symptom in the medical literature which is defined as being specific to chronic or long-standing Lyme disease infection, Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans.
Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans , is unique to Lyme disease and can occur in people who have been infected with Lyme disease for many years. It occurs particularly on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet it begins with painful inflammation of the skin which lasts months or years, often with bluish red discolouration, and ultimately leads to thinning of the skin like tissue paper .
This symptom can be mistaken for peripheral vascular disorders.
Read Also: What Piercing Is For Migraines
Read Also: When Do Lyme Disease Symptoms Appear
Lyme Disease And Vision
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. In its early stages, Lyme disease commonly results in a rash, which can appear anywhere from one day to one month after a tick bite, joint pain and headaches. Later-stage Lyme disease is characterized by arthritic pain, cognitive difficulties, fatigue and other symptoms that can have an enormous effect on a patients life.
One tick may carry more than one disease, so sometimes people get more than one co-infection from the bite of a single tick. Experienced doctors may be able to distinguish each of the tick-borne co-infections and order appropriate tests and treatment.1 If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease occur each year in the U.S. However, some experts suggest this number may be under-estimated.
Headaches & Head Pressure
So the question of this week is about headaches and head pressure.
Headaches are a common complaint with Lyme disease and listed on almost every symptom list you can find relevant to Lyme disease. There are many different types of headaches that are experienced however.
Migraine:Many Lyme patients talk about having migraines a lot. Migraine headaches are can be preceded by warning signs. They can be triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, stress, and exercise.The pain caused by migraines can be a throbbing in one particular area. Nausea, throwing up and sensitivity to light and sound are also common symptoms. Many patients will lay in the dark for a day or two while experiencing these.
Tension:Tension headaches can be triggered by stress and anxiety. They are often caused when our muscles, subconsciously tense up, especially in our back and neck leaving our muscles tense and achy. It will feel like pressure all around your head and even down to your neck and shoulders.
Cluster headaches:Cluster headaches are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. They can come on suddenly and cause severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head. Sometimes you may also experience watery eyes or a runny nose. These headaches can last days or weeks, and then leave just as suddenly as they came on. They might disappear for months then start up again.
Rebound Headaches:These are actually caused by taking too many pain meds or over the counter meds.
Read Also: What Antibiotics Cure Lyme Disease
Can Lyme Disease Cause Intracranial Hypertension
intracranial pressureLyme disease
. Also to know is, can Lyme cause IIH?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that is endemic to multiple areas of the United States. Patients with LD may present with sign and symptoms of intracranial hypertension . MRI obtained in six patients showed contrast enhancement of various cranial nerves.
Additionally, can Lyme cause meningitis? Lyme meningitis symptoms consist of headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and/or fever. While an abnormal spinal tap is very important in confirming a case of neurologic Lyme disease, not all patients with neurologic Lyme disease will have detectable Borrelia burgdorferi in the spinal fluid.
Besides, can Lyme cause Papilledema?
Optic nerve involvement in Lyme disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Papilledema caused by raised intracranial pressure in Lyme meningitis seems mainly to affect children, although some adult cases have been reported.
What is Lyme Neuroborreliosis?
Neuroborreliosis, is a disorder of the central nervous system. A neurological manifestation of Lyme disease, neuroborreliosis is caused by a systemic infection of spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. Symptoms of the disease include erythema migrans and flu-like symptoms.
What Is Neurologic Lyme Disease
Neurologic symptoms of Lyme disease occur when the Lyme disease bacteria affect the peripheral or central nervous systems.
- Cranial nerve involvement: When the cranial nerves are affected, facial palsy can occur on one or both sides of the face.
- Peripheral nerve involvement: When the peripheral nerves are affected, patients can develop radiculoneuropathy which can cause numbness, tingling, shooting pain, or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Central nervous system involvement: When the central nervous system is affected, Lyme meningitis can cause fever, headache, sensitivity to light, and stiff neck.
Out of every 100 patients whose cases are reported to CDC, 9 have facial palsy, 4 have radiculopathy, and 3 have meningitis or encephalitis. Because of reporting practices, this statistic may overestimate how often these manifestations are seen by clinicians.
Don’t Miss: Best Infrared Sauna For Lyme Disease
Early Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
More than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the Centers for Disease Control each year. The risk of Lyme disease is greatest in the spring and summer when the disease is commonly transmitted through tick bites.
Preventing tick bites is key to fending off an infection, but if you do get bit, look out for these early symptoms of Lyme disease:
Online Lyme Disease Questionnaire
There is an online test is based on the questionnaire created by the well-known and experienced Lyme-literate Dr. Richard Horowitz.
It is not a definitive diagnostic tool, but it can help to indicate how likely it is that you may be suffering from Lyme disease or a other tick borne illness.
Its free to get the results and takes about 10 minutes to fill in.
For those who think they may be suffering from a long term, chronic Lyme infection, this can be useful food for thought.
You May Like: Sleep Inn East Lyme Ct
The Importance Of Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that can be found everywhere around you. It is in the earth beneath your feet, the sea, animals, plants, and of course, humans. In humans, up to 60% of your magnesium is in your bones. The rest is dispersed throughout the body in the blood, muscles, soft tissues, and in every cell in the body because of its vital importance for proper cellular function.
Amongst the many reactions the mineral is involved in throughout your body, it also:
- Helps with the creation of new proteins from amino acids
- Plays a role in muscle contraction and relaxation
- Helps with neurotransmitter regulation, i.e. sending chemical messages from the brain to your nervous system
- Is involved in DNA and RNA creation and repair
Symptoms To Look Out For
As it advances, Lyme disease affects several body systems and looks similar to other conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and adrenal fatigue. No two peoples immune systems are the exact same the type and severity of symptoms an infected individual experiences relies on the health of their immune system and body as a whole.
Two common symptoms of Lyme disease at any stage are chronic headaches and migraines. One study found 78% of children with the condition reported headaches and, in another study about 50% of adults said they experienced headaches. One of the reasons for this is that Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease, and a common cause of migraines is inflammation.
Other symptoms to look out for include:
· Rashes, which can start out as one bulls eye rash and then spread throughout the body
· Extreme fatigue or sleepiness and difficulties sleeping at night
· Muscle and joint pain and swelling, which can be localized or widespread
· Flu-like symptoms, including fever, dizziness, and muscle pain
· Brain fog, which includes difficulties concentrating, making decisions, and remembering information
· Heart problems like palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and light-headedness
· Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression
· Neurological problems including loss of taste or smell, balance or coordination issues, blurry vision, or light sensitivity.
Also Check: Lyme Disease Doctors In Virginia
Other Digestive Issues That May Be Associated With Lyme Disease
Other digestive signs that give clues there may be an underlying infection like Lyme disease are candida and parasite infections that are difficult to treat. Infection with Borrelia causes immune dysfunction, making it challenging to treat yeast or parasitic infections until Lyme is successfully treated.
Joyce Knestrick Phd Crnp Faanp
Summer is the season to head outdoors, but the looming threat of tick bites has many uneasy about a hike in the woods, with good reason. We are right smack in the middle of peak season for ticks, which means the chance of contracting Lyme disease from a single tick bite is relatively high, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, where 70 percent of the ballooning deer tick population is infected with the health-compromising disease.
Lyme disease is scary in part because the signs can be easy to miss, and undetected cases can progress from treatable to chronic without a patient ever seeing a tick. People on the lookout for the tell-tale bullseye to necessitate a trip to their health care provider may miss the critical treatment window. The reality is that 30 percent of people with Lyme disease never get that bullseye, and because the rash can move locations and is usually not itchy or painful, some people who have a skin reaction never notice it.
So how can you enjoy the outdoors with your family this summer and still avoid Lyme disease? Tick vigilance is a great first step long sleeves and pants, insect repellent containing DEET and Permethrin for clothes and shoes will go a long way in warding off these pesky parasites. Still, there is always a risk of picking up a tiny hitchhiker when you head outside, so its important to understand the symptoms of an infected bite.
Don’t Miss: Tick And Lyme Disease Facts
What To Do If You Have A Blacklegged Tick Bite
Remove the tick by pulling it directly out with fine-tipped tweezers. Lift upward with slow and even pressure. Dont twist when removing it. Dont crush it or put soap or other substances on it. Dont apply heat to it.
Place the tick in a resealable container. See if you can identify what kind of a tick it is.
Immediately after removing the tick, wash your skin well with soap and water or with rubbing alcohol.
Not all ticks carry Lyme. The Lyme bacteria is transmitted only by blacklegged ticks in their nymph or adult stage.
Save the tick to show your doctor. The doctor will want to determine if its a blacklegged tick and if theres evidence of feeding. Ticks enlarge as they feed. Your risk of getting Lyme from an infected tick increases with the length of time that the tick fed on your blood.
Summary:
Pull the tick out with tweezers and save it in a resealable container for identification.
How Is Lyme Disease Treated
With early-stage Lyme disease, youâll take antibiotics for about 10 days to 3 weeks. The most common ones are amoxicillin, cefuroxime, and doxycycline. The antibiotics will almost always cure your infection. If they donât, you might get other antibiotics either by mouth or as a shot.
If you donât treat your Lyme infection, you might need oral antibiotics for symptoms like weakened face muscles and irregular heartbeat. You may need antibiotics if you have meningitis, inflammation in your brain and spinal cord, or more severe heart problems.
If your Lyme is late stage, the doctor might give you antibiotics either by mouth or as a shot. If it causes arthritis, youâll get arthritis treatment.
Thereâs no therapy for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
Read Also: Apartments For Rent In East Lyme Ct
What Does A Lyme Disease Headache Feel Like
Lyme diseaseheadachesmigraines
. Correspondingly, how long do headaches last with Lyme disease?
The CDC cautions that some people have lingering symptoms after treatment, such as fatigue or joint and muscle aches or pain, which can last for more than six months.
One may also ask, what kind of headache do I have based on location? Common Headache Types by Location
| Pain location | |
|---|---|
| Ear infection | |
| On one side of your head | Migraine Cluster headache |
Correspondingly, how do you feel when you have Lyme disease?
Early signs and symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes — all common in the flu. In up to 80% of Lyme infections, a rash is one of the first symptoms, Aucott says. Without treatment, symptoms can progress.
Does Lyme disease affect your brain?
Lyme disease affects the nervous system. Lyme disease can affect the lining of the brain, a disorder known as meningitis. Other than causing fever and bad headaches, this form of meningitis is remarkably benign nobody has ever died of it, and it has rarely if ever caused significant damage to any patient’s brain.
Ongoing Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can last for years.
These symptoms are often compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
It’s not clear why this happens to some people and not others. This means there’s also no agreed treatment.
Speak to a doctor if your symptoms come back, or do not improve, after treatment with antibiotics.
The doctor may be able to offer you further support if needed, such as:
- referral for a care needs assessment
- telling your employer, school or higher education institution that you require a gradual return to activities
- communicating with children and families’ social care
Page last reviewed: 05 July 2021 Next review due: 05 July 2024
You May Like: What To Do If I Have Lyme Disease
