Anyone who has ever been outside – hiked, gardened or walked in grassy landscaped areas may have heard about ticks. However, when a tick bite results in a more severe condition, what happens then? It’s just that Lyme disease is, and if you know the early signs, you can recover much sooner.

But this book clarifies it simply in clear terms; no cussing words and no confusion. If you are new to Lyme disease, or hoping to provide support for a loved one, this is the site for you.

What Is Lyme Disease? (Lyme Disease Meaning)

Lyme disease is a bacteria based illness which is transmitted into your body via a small infected tick. It is occasionally referred to as “Lyme borreliosis,” which will be featured in medical articles and in test results. Borreliosis is named for the type of bacteria that causes it: Borrelia burgdorferi.

Simply put: a tick bites you, deposits the bacteria into your blood stream, and you begin to respond to the bacteria. The tricky part? Many individuals don’t even know they were bitten due to the fact that ticks can be as small as a poppy seed.

Lyme disease is the most prevalent U.S. tick-borne disease, and is also present in Europe and parts of Asia. It doesn’t only occur in a specific type of person – adults, children, even pets can suffer it.

What Is Lyme Disease Caused By?

Awareness of what causes Lyme disease will bring protection.

Lyme disease is caused by:

• Bacterial species of the genus Borrelia (Burhodorferii in the United States, similar species in other latitudes)
• These bacteria are transmitted through theses blacklegged ticks also called deer ticks
• For the bacteria to be transmitted to you, the tick must be attached to the skin surface for 24-36 hours

Found primarily under leaf piles, leaf litter, shrubs, tall grass and in wooded areas. They are most active in the warmer months – typically April through September – but they can still be active in cooler weather too.

Common places ticks hide on your body:

• Behind your knees
• In your armpits
• In and around the scalp and hairline area
• Behind your ears
• Around your waist

Due to their size, and tendency to make a painless bite, many people do not notice a tick’s presence.

What Are the Early Signs of Lyme Disease?

It is this paragraph that is most critical in this guide. The earlier one detects the symptoms of Lyme disease, the quicker they will improve and the likelihood of having more serious health issues down the line can be avoided.

Symptoms usually develop in the following 3-30 days after the tick bite. Not all people experience all of the symptoms and some people may feel slightly ill initially.

The Classic Bullseye Rash

One of the more popular early symptoms is a skin rash called erythema migrans, which is commonly referred to as the “bulls eye rash”. A small red mark appears at the bite site and gradually spreads out in a circle around the center over a period of days, forming a ring or bullseye, resembling a dart board.

If you have this rash, here are some important things to remember:

• Typically occurs within 1-4 weeks of the bite
• Will grow over time and can spread across the width of your palm, or wider
• As a rule is it not painful, itchy
• Many people don’t develop this rash with Lyme disease – in fact, they do not develop this rash at all

If you do see a circular rash or one that is increasing in size, photograph it immediately, and get medical help.

Flu-Like Feelings

Many people experience what is known as an early Lyme rash accompanied by or replaced by the “flu-like” symptoms in the early stages of Lyme disease. These Lyme disease early symptoms include:

• Feeling extremely tired, even after resting
• Fever and chills
• Sweating
• Aches and pains in muscles and the body
• Joint pain
• A stiff neck
• Severe headaches
• Enlarged Make-up (lymph nodes)
• Sore throat

Unlike a common cold or flu, Lyme Disease typically does not have a runny nose, a massive cough, or stomach disease such as diarrhea.

It’s not a bad idea to tell a doctor if you have any flu-like symptoms after going outside in tick territory, even if you don’t feel or see a tick on you.

The Three Stages of Lyme Disease

Lyme is not a lifelong disease. It progresses through stages and the symptoms of Lyme disease vary throughout these stages.

Stage 1 – Early Localized (Days to a Few Weeks After the Bite)
 

This is while the bacteria are still in the neighborhood of the bite tick. The rash where the bullseye is visible and the flu-like sensations will be noticed. The optimum time to catch and treat Lyme’s is the snow season.

Stage 2 – Early Disseminated (Weeks to Months Later)
 

Once not diagnosed immediately, the bacteria can begin to invade the body. Here you may have:

• Several rashes on various parts of the body
• Lying down either side of the face
• Irregular heartbeat and or heart palpitations
• Pain or tingling that moves around your body
• Neck stiffness, headaches
• Numbness weakness in the arms and legs

Stage 3 – Late Disseminated (Months to Years Later)
 

This is the highest level infection, in which the bacteria are widespread in the body. People may develop:

• Extremely painful and swollen joints particularly in the knees
• Difficulty attending or “brain fog”
• Memory problems
• Sleep issues
• Changes in mood and anxiety
• Ongoing fatigue

As the disease progresses, it may be harder to treat Lyme disease. It’s for these reasons that identification of early signs is essential.

How Is Lyme Disease Tested?

Please have a Lyme disease test performed by a health care provider if you believe you may have Lyme disease.

There are two common blood tests, the most common being a two-step procedure.

1. First test (ELISA): This tests your blood for a reaction to the bacteria. If it resumes negative, that’s it. If it’s either positive or inconclusive, you proceed to the next step.
2. Second test (Western Blot): This is a more specific test to determine if you actually have Lyme disease.

A few things to keep in mind about Lyme disease testing:

• Blood tests could be negative even as soon as the first weeks of infection, as it takes time for your body to create a response to the infection.
• If treated with antibiotics early enough, your body may not mount a strong enough reaction to be noticeable on a test
• Within the time it takes for laboratory work to be completed, your doctor might make a diagnosis from your symptoms and if you’ve recently come into contact with ticks.

At home Lyme tests kits are also available, but as always, it is always best to go to a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and walkthrough of what steps to take next.

Can Lyme Disease Be Treated?

Yes – it’s better the sooner, If Lyme disease is detected early, it is effectively treated with antibiotics that are taken orally for 10 to 21 days. Good response and recovery rate in most people who begin treatment early.

If the Lyme disease has advanced the treatment may be more prolonged or varied. It is important to follow treatment as directed and to work closely with an experienced provider.

Some people still may feel fatigue, joint pain or brain fog after treatment. It is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and many people find that with the right support they will go on to improve over time, though this is difficult.

How Can a Lyme Wellness Coach Help You?

Lyme disease can seem like a lot to deal with – when symptoms persist, when you’re waiting for answers, when you’re just feeling like nobody else can relate.

This is where Lyme coaching and working with a Lyme wellness coach can make a difference.

A Lyme wellness coach is not a doctor or physician to supplant your medical care – but rather a partner to complement your healthcare team, one that can support you in a different manner than a prescriber can. Here is an example of the sort of support that can look like that:

A Lyme wellness coach can assist you to:

• Choose realistic and achievable health and lifestyle targets
• Create a daily schedule that promotes and facilitates energy and recovery
• Assist in making changes to diet and lifestyle that will help alleviate symptoms
• Reduce stress and make sure it does not cause symptoms to worsen from Lyme
• Everyone’s going to be dealing with the emotional and mental burden of having an ongoing health condition
• Remember to stay motivated and held accountable even on the days that it is challenging

Lyme wellness is not a treatment for the infection – it is treating the whole person. When you are unwell, your mind, body and spirit all experience something. It can help to have someone with you who understands what you are going through, which could mean the difference between feeling stuck and feeling like you are making progress.

At HealthfullyU, we know that healing isn’t simply the battle against bacteria. It’s about living a life that nourishes your body to heal, grow, and feel better. If you’re newly diagnosed or on the lookout for answers or dealing with the symptoms, you are not in this alone.

Simple Tips to Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease

The best first step is to prevent it. The following are simple practices to decrease the likelihood of a tick bite:

• When in wooded or grassy areas, wear long sleeves and long pants
• Fold up your pant cuffs into your socks for added protection
• Wear insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing
• When hiking stay on top of trails, do not walk in tall grasses or bushes
• Once outside, conduct a whole-body examination for ticks on you, the kids, and the animals
• Shower within 2 hours of entering the house
• Run outdoor clothes through dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to eliminate any potential ticks

If you do find a tick on your body, carefully use tweezers to remove it near the skin. Never squeeze or twist but pull straight out. Afterwards clean the area and monitor over subsequent weeks.