Lyme disease, which is a systemic disease most often caused by borrelia burgdorferi, raises several concerns as to its treatment and prevalence of a cure. In this directive, we seek to address familiar concerns associated with the recovery of Lyme disease, focusing on the success of various measures, long term outcomes and symptom management. It is imperative for both the patient and the patients’ caregivers to appreciate and grasp the complexities of Lyme disease and its treatment to avoid confusion and misunderstanding during the recovery phase.
Will I completely recover from Lyme disease?
A patient suffering from Lyme disease would achieve therapy if he/she is treated early with antibiotics. On the other hand, late-stage cases may lead to unresolved symptoms most especially termed as chronic Lyme disease which involves more scribe care
In the majority of cases, a short course of antibiotics such as doxycycline and amoxicillin is sufficient to treat early Lyme disease if such treatment is commenced as soon as possible following the infection. The disease struck then most, if not all, emerges when no residual sequelae accompany the active infection.
The recurrence of persistent symptoms in patients treated for Lyme disease is known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome PTLDS. However, in many cases, even when the infection is treated, patients will still need help with chronic symptoms such as fatigue, pain and depression. In this case, early diagnosis and treatment is of primary importance for a successful outcome.
What happens if Lyme disease is left untreated?
If Lyme disease is left without treatment it could result in extreme manifestation which is damaging to one’s joints, nervous system, as well as the heart. Persistent chronic manifestations might still remain, however.
If Lyme disease is not treated, it might go into further illness manifestations that are beyond the arthritic stage. This stage has been associated with damage to the joints, nervous system, and heart. Other signs include memory loss, and pictures of slow moving limbs and faces. Some patients also complain of painful joints caused by Lyme arthritis. In some people, absence of Lyme carditis treatment may lead to heart problems such as arrhythmia.
The advanced the disease is, the more difficult it is to treat the disease. Most likely at that stage chronic symptoms will develop. Then, their treatment will be even more complicated. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper treatment are of utmost importance.
How long does it take to recover from Lyme disease?
Recovery depends on the stage of the disease it is diagnosed with. If the treatment is done on a timely basis, solving the disease won’t take long, but if it is late stage it takes months or longer.
Those who are diagnosed and treated in the early stages of Lyme disease will commonly return to recovery three weeks after taking the antibiotics. Others have reported feeling better within one month – this appears to be the case for most patients.
However, others with chronic or late stage Lyme disease will most need prolonged treatment and recovery that can last for several months. Where post treatment Lyme disease syndrome is experienced a quicker recovery will not be realized as the symptoms usually last longer than treatment received for pain and fatigue. The speed of recovery however varies due to the person, the type of the disease stage and how fast the treatment is provided.
What are the long-term effects of Lyme disease?
Aside from other symptoms in the long run, Lyme disease can also cause patients to experience chronic pain, fatigue and other neurological disabilities that may prove debilitating. After medical treatment some patients are still symptomatic.
Many patients get completely cured of the Lyme disease, however for some patients such as those who are diagnosed very late, there can be long term complications. Such long term complications can be fatigue, middle level fever, pain in the joints (Lyme arthritis) and even episodes of forgetfulness, lack of concentration or confusion amongst others.
In very rare situations, the heart and some problems affecting the nervous systems may be brought about. Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome is when the symptoms which were supposed to be solved by the treatment parasite control are able to continue for months even years after stopping the control.
When working to alleviate the impact of chronic symptoms, one often resorts to pain therapy or physical therapy, treatment of the nervous sensations or depressive states etc.
Is there a vaccine for Lyme disease?
Currently, there is no Lyme disease vaccine for humans though there is research going on for that. While performing different activities, precautions include using an insect repellent and wearing protective clothes.
The vaccine for Lyme disease, which was previously available for adults in the late 90s, was taken out of circulation owing to safety issues as well as difficulty in reaching the estimated market demand. Treatment includes not just the search for effective vaccines.
Conclusion:
The ailment can be totally cured if the patient is treated in good time. In some cases, patients may experience post treatment symptoms but the majority will clear up with antibiotics. Accepting that such disease is preventable and understands the relevance of prompt diagnosis and subsequent investigation and intervention seeks to control the effects it causes. In case you are infected with Lyme disease, do not delay in seeking treatment to get the best results. This is so as the period of remedy is thus made shorter and the potentiality of chronic post LD is limited.