5 Important Things You Should Be Aware About Lyme Arthritis

If you want to know more about Lyme arthritis, you should be aware that it happens when the joints are inflamed by Lyme disease bacteria, chronic arthritis may develop, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be used for treating it, and the solution is to prevent Lyme disease and to treat it as soon as possible.

If you are bitten by an infected tick, you could get Lyme disease. It was first recognized when cases of rheumatoid arthritis in children increased in 1975. Research revealed that ticks infected with Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the cause behind the illness. Some Lyme disease symptoms are quite the same with symptoms of other diseases like flu. As a result, people may choose to ignore it. In the last stages of Lyme disease, patients may experience Lyme arthritis. The condition is somewhat similar to inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It is caused by Lyme disease bacteria inflaming the joints

According to some experts, Lyme disease has more than one stage. In the early stages, symptoms resemble those of the common flu, including fever, headaches, chills and body aches. As the disease goes untreated, it will begin to infect other systems of the body. 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.

It may develop into chronic arthritis

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. Fluid buildup, redness and swelling of patient\'s joints are common symptoms of this condition.

It can affect people of all age groups

Lyme disease and Lyme arthritis can affect children and adults alike. Case in point, children aged 5-9 years old and adults over 30 are the most common Lyme disease sufferers as stated by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). Also, approximately 33% of the total cases of Lyme disease patients also suffered from Lyme arthritis.

Its possible treatments include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications

Antibiotics are one of the treatment options for Lyme arthritis. Intravenous ceftriaxone is noted to be very successful in giving relief with an estimated 94% positive response rates. In order to receive relief from swelling and pain ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory medication, is also sometimes given to patients. But, there are certain cases that do not respond so well to these treatments. The bacteria have been known to become immune to the antibiotics in those instances.

Prevention and early treatment of Lyme disease is the solution

Since Lyme arthritis is a symptom of the late stage of Lyme disease, the best way to prevent it is to prevent or immediately treat Lyme disease. It is very important to know the measures that can be taken to prevent Lyme disease, as well as the different symptoms of Lyme disease and what treatments are available.

Lyme arthritis is a cause for much concern, but the effects of this condition can still be prevented and treated.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/5-important-things-you-should-be-aware-about-lyme-arthritis-4073263.html

5 Important Things You Should Be Aware About Lyme Arthritis

If you want to know more about Lyme arthritis, you should be aware that it happens when the joints are inflamed by Lyme disease bacteria, chronic arthritis may develop, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be used for treating it, and the solution is to prevent Lyme disease and to treat it as soon as possible.

If you are bitten by an infected tick, you could get Lyme disease. It was first recognized when cases of rheumatoid arthritis in children increased in 1975. Research revealed that ticks infected with Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the cause behind the illness. Some Lyme disease symptoms are quite the same with symptoms of other diseases like flu. As a result, people may choose to ignore it. In the last stages of Lyme disease, patients may experience Lyme arthritis. The condition is somewhat similar to inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It is caused by Lyme disease bacteria inflaming the joints

According to some experts, Lyme disease has more than one stage. In the early stages, symptoms resemble those of the common flu, including fever, headaches, chills and body aches. As the disease goes untreated, it will begin to infect other systems of the body. 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.

It may develop into chronic arthritis

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. Fluid buildup, redness and swelling of patient\'s joints are common symptoms of this condition.

It can affect people of all age groups

Lyme disease and Lyme arthritis can affect children and adults alike. Case in point, children aged 5-9 years old and adults over 30 are the most common Lyme disease sufferers as stated by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). Also, approximately 33% of the total cases of Lyme disease patients also suffered from Lyme arthritis.

Its possible treatments include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications

Antibiotics are one of the treatment options for Lyme arthritis. Intravenous ceftriaxone is noted to be very successful in giving relief with an estimated 94% positive response rates. In order to receive relief from swelling and pain ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory medication, is also sometimes given to patients. But, there are certain cases that do not respond so well to these treatments. The bacteria have been known to become immune to the antibiotics in those instances.

Prevention and early treatment of Lyme disease is the solution

Since Lyme arthritis is a symptom of the late stage of Lyme disease, the best way to prevent it is to prevent or immediately treat Lyme disease. It is very important to know the measures that can be taken to prevent Lyme disease, as well as the different symptoms of Lyme disease and what treatments are available.

Lyme arthritis is a cause for much concern, but the effects of this condition can still be prevented and treated.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/5-important-things-you-should-be-aware-about-lyme-arthritis-4073263.html