DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please write an article about Lyme disease -- cause, symptoms and treatment. -- E.G.
ANSWER: Ticks spread the germ responsible for Lyme disease. Tick activity is highest from early spring through fall, and that is the period when most cases of Lyme disease are acquired.
The first sign of Lyme disease is a red blotch at the site of the tick bite. Its outer border expands, and the central portion partially clears. It can burn, itch, hurt or not be felt.
Days to weeks later, the second stage of Lyme disease sets in. The skin might sport several smaller red blotches. Infected people often are fatigued and complain of headaches and muscle or joint pain or both. Their skin and the whites of their eyes can turn yellow if the liver is involved. They might have paralysis of facial muscles and find it impossible to close one or both eyes. The brain can become inflamed (encephalitis), as can the brain's coverings (meningitis). Both cause severe headaches and can make people quite lethargic. Conduction of electrical activity in the heart can be impaired. Proof of that is demonstrated by an ECG.
Months to years later, the third stage begins. The period between the second and third stages is often one without symptoms. The hallmark symptom of stage three is attacks of joint swelling and pain. The attacks are similar to attacks of rheumatoid arthritis. From a cluster of cases of what was thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Conn., Lyme disease was discovered. The children did not have arthritis; they had Lyme disease. The nervous system and the skin can also be involved in stage three.
Not all Lyme patients pass through all stages, and not all are seriously ill. Antibiotics can usually cure Lyme disease in all its stages. However, about 10 percent will be left with some aftermath even when treated.
Forty-seven states have reported Lyme cases, but the disease is mostly centered in the Northeast from Massachusetts to Maryland, in the Midwest from Wisconsin to Minnesota, and in the West in Northern California
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
I was disappointed by this Dr. Donahue column, which is syndicated throughout the country. The ONLY thing good about it was the warning that tick season has begun, and a few symptoms to look for.
I guess people want to break the disease down into "stages" in an effort to avoid panic in most people who are bitten, as in, "Oh, this is just the first stage, easily treated," and unfortunately, to resign other people to their fate, as in, "Oh, my third stage has already been treated, I'll have to learn to live with this."
A couple of other errors:
"The first sign of Lyme disease is a red blotch at the site of the tick bite." The erythema migrans (bull's-eye rash) shows up in less than half of all cases of Lyme.
"From a cluster of cases of what was thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Conn., Lyme disease was discovered." Polly Murray reported a number of symptoms, not just arthritis, in a number of people, adults as well as children, including herself. It was Steele who went with the "juvenile arthritis" story, and we've been saddled with it ever since.
Any of the "stages" can happen, or not happen, at any time.
Still a lot of educating to do, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
This is the same duck who had other columns that were alot Steered. He once said lyme is no problem and easily treated, just treat it early. Great idea but now I have had it(UNBEKNOWEST TO ME) for 10-12 years and cant get the first response from anything. You will never get a respomnse, from any of them! He also had a column on babs , I think, and had some good info and some bad. I think this guy reads too many books and hasnt really treated any people for this in his 'Practice'. Our local paper carries his columns too, always check for lyme info there but havent seen this latest one yet. Course we are always 'a little behind'.
Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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lightfoot
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2536
posted
I considered writing him on this one.....yes, it's the second mis-information column I've seen......I will do that! It's mush!!! Write if you can.....
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