SHOWCASE ON: Lyme Disease

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.

How is it transmitted?

The bacteria are transmitted to people and animals by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, commonly called the deer tick. Although other types of ticks and some insects have been shown to carry the Lyme bacteria, to date, transmission of Lyme through those vectors has not been proven.

The bacteria can also be passed through the placenta of a pregnant woman to the fetus—congenital transmission.

The DNA of the bacteria has been found in breast milk, but no transmission has been proven to date in humans.

The Lyme bacteria have been proven to survive blood banking conditions; however, to date, no transmission has been proven through blood transfusions in humans. Studies have shown transmission through this route in mice in the lab.

There is no proof to date that Lyme is sexually transmitted, although some preliminary studies have found PCR positives for the DNA of the Lyme bacteria in semen and in cervical tissue. These findings do not prove sexual transmission, but some physicians feel because the Lyme and syphilis spirochete (bacteria) are similar, Lyme may be sexually transmitted.

Lyme Signs and Symptoms

General early signs and symptoms:

EM (bull’s eye) rash at bite site (less than 50%), other types

Cardiac/Pulmonary

chest pain or rib soreness, shortness of breath, heart

palpitations, pulse skips, heart block, heart murmur or valve prolapse.

Gastrointestinal:

nausea or vomiting, difficulty eating, change in bowel function

( constipation, diarrhea), gastritis, abdominal cramping, irritable bladder or bladder

dysfunction, cystitis.

Musculoskeletal:

joint/muscle pain in feet, swelling in toes, balls of feet, ankle pain, burning in

feet, shin splints, joint pain and/or swelling, stiffness of the joints, neck or back,

muscle pain or cramps that may migrate, neck creaks and cracks, neck stiffness,

TMJ.

Neurological:

twitching of the face, eyelids or other muscles, headache, tingling, numbness,

burning or stabbing sensations, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), dizziness, poor balance, increased

motion sickness, light-headedness, wooziness, difficulty walking, tremor,

confusion, difficulty in thinking or with concentration or reading,

forgetfulness, poor short term memory, disorientation (getting lost, going to

wrong place), difficulty with speech, double or blurry vision, eye pain,

blindness, increased floaters, increased sensitivity to light or sound, buzzing or

ringing in ears, ear pain, deafness, seizure activity, white matter lesions, low blood pressure.

Neuropsychiatric:

mood swings, violent outbursts, irritability, depression, disturbed sleep (too

Reproductive:

testicular pain / pelvic pain, menstrual irregularity, milk production (lactation),
sexual dysfunction, loss of libido.

Other:

fever, sweats, or chills, weight change (loss or gain), fatigue, tiredness,

hair loss, swollen glands, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swelling around the eyes.

much, too little, early awakening), personality changes, obsessive compulsive

disorder, paranoia, panic anxiety attack, hallucinations.

Prevention

The LDA (Lyme Disease Association) has as one of its goals to stop the spread of Lyme & other tick-borne diseases. Tick checks are very important, as is proper tick removal. The following links may be helpful in addressing what is happening in the area of prevention and control.

Tick Removal
Improper removal of ticks greatly increases the risk of acquiring tick-borne infections. Squeezing the tick or putting substances on the tick to try to make it "back out" may aggravate it enough that it injects into you whatever disease organisms are inside it.

• Do not burn or use any substance on tick
• Do not grasp, squeeze, or twist body of tick
• Grasp tick close to the skin with tweezers
• Pull tick straight out
• Use antiseptic on skin
• Disinfect tweezers
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Always see a physician for possible diagnosis, testing, and treatment
• If desired, can save tick for testing, preferably alive, in a zippered plastic bag or a closed container with a moist cotton ball.

Some examples of tick-testing labs:

IGeneX Labs, Palo Alto, CA: 800-832-3200
MDL, Mt. Laurel, NJ: 877-269-0090
NJ Labs, New Brunswick, NJ: 732-249-0148

Helpful Links With More Info

	National Pesticide Information Center
	Damminix
	Tackling Ticks That Spread Lyme Disease
	MaxForce Bait Box - Do an end run around ticks
	STOPticks.org
	FREE Prevention Poster
	Protect Yourself: Things We Wish We Had Known About Lyme (English and Espanol)
	10 Facts About Lyme Disease
	Prevention article & radio Interview Lyme Disease Association http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/ ***************** http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pain-Sufferers-Speak/112276272164064#!/topic.php?uid=112276272164064&topic=143 The above link takes you to Pain Sufferers Speak's Facebook SHOWCASE ON: Lyme Disease with many more resources. ***************** I do NOT have Lyme Disease, however through Pain Sufferers Speak I love to promote awareness, advocacy, prevention and the sharing of FREE medical information.  For all of those who suffer with Lyme Disease, there are many of you out there and Pain Sufferers Speak's Global Community will always be here to support and love you unconditionally. Hugs & Blessings to all of you!! Liz : )