Warning signs disease that can leave you bedbound for years

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. Ticks are often found in woodland and moorland areas, even parks, gardens and grassy areas, and feed on the blood of mammals including humans. Here are six symptoms of the disease to look out for

People are being warned to look out for six signs of a debilitating condition that could leave sufferers confined to bed.

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection, is transmitted through bites from infected ticks. These creatures are frequently found in areas such as woodland, moorland, and even parks or gardens, feeding on the blood of mammals, including humans.

NHS Inform has shared insights into the nature of tick encounters: "Ticks don't jump or fly. They climb on to your clothes or skin if you brush against something they're on. They then bite into the skin and start to feed on your blood."

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The health service stresses the importance of prompt removal: "You're more likely to become infected the longer the tick is attached to your skin. This means that removing them quickly is important. Ticks are very small and their bites are not painful, so you may not realise you have one attached to your skin."

Timely detection of Lyme disease is essential as early intervention can lead to better outcomes. But what should you look out for?, reports the Mirror.

Key symptoms to be vigilant of include a rash. Another key symptom of Lyme disease to watch out for is an oval-shaped rash around a bite mark, which can sometimes show up around three months after being bitten by an infected tick, although it typically appears within one to four weeks.

NHS Inform explained: "The rash can have a darker or lighter area in the centre and might gradually spread. It's not usually hot or itchy. The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and look pink, red, or purple when it appears on white skin. It can be harder to see the rash on brown and black skin and it may look like a bruise."

Symptoms akin to the flu.

In addition to rashes, someone with Lyme disease might start feeling feverish, alternating between hot and cold feelings. Efficient removal of ticks is important not all carry Lyme disease.

Using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grip the tick close to the skin without squeezing and pull straight out. Dispose of the tick appropriately and cleanse the bite area with soap and water or antiseptic.

If tick bites are suspected, consult a doctor promptly. Beyond high temperatures, other flu-like symptoms are headaches, fatigue, and feeling run-down.

With reference to recovery, NHS Inform mentions: "Most people with Lyme disease get better after antibiotic treatment. This can take months for some people, but the symptoms should improve over time."

Arthritis

Lyme disease has been linked to causing arthritis, an outcome stemming from the bacteria's infiltration into joint tissue, sparking inflammation. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention illuminated this, saying: "The main feature of Lyme arthritis is obvious swelling of one or a few joints. While the knees are affected most often, other large joints such as the shoulder, ankle, elbow, jaw, wrist, and hip can also be involved. The joint may feel warm to the touch or cause pain during movement. Joint swelling can come and go or move between joints, and it may be difficult to detect in the shoulder, hip, or jaw. Lyme arthritis typically develops within one to a few months after infection."

Memory loss isn't off the books when it comes to more severe cases of Lyme disease, which don't just stop at physical symptoms but extend to affecting cognitive abilities too. Amen Clinics shed light on this aspect, underlining: "Memory loss, cognitive impairment, and brain fog. The forgetfulness and cognitive issues some people with Lyme disease experience can be mistaken for the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. As shown above, there is some scientific evidence pointing to a link between a history of infection with Lyme disease and dementia."

Nerve pain remains another alarming concern associated with Lyme disease.

Lyme disease, known to cause serious debilitation in some individuals, can lead to nerve pain among other symptoms. The Foundation For Peripheral Neuropathy emphasises the importance of prompt action, elaborating: "Early diagnosis and treatment are important to stop the progression of the disease. If untreated, the disease can result in neurological disorders such as peripheral neuropathy, including Bell's palsy, as well as pain, numbness or weakness in the limbs. The onset of peripheral neuropathy typically develops weeks, months or years later, if the disease is left untreated."

Heart complications.

In cases where Lyme disease progresses, it may result in Lyme carditis, an affection of the heart. NICE shed light on the management of this condition in their 2018 report, noting that Lyme-induced carditis, while serious, can be managed effectively with antibiotics.

"Carditis caused by Lyme disease responds well to antibiotic therapy, but if it is left untreated, it can be potentially harmful," stated the report. Symptoms associated with this heart condition include abnormal heart rhythms and more unsettling signs.

Expanding on the cardiac issues, the report also mentioned: "Symptoms may include dizziness, chest pain and collapse. Inflammation may also occur at other sites such as the pericardium (lining of the heart) and myocardium (heart muscle). In rare cases, carditis can be severe or even fatal. Antibiotic treatment is effective and usually resolves symptoms within 14 weeks; however, people with severe Lyme disease will require specialist hospital input until the symptoms recover."