Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention & Recovery

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an illness that is caused by microorganisms referred to as spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. It is mostly transmitted to humans through the biting of infected black-legged tick, commonly referred to as a deer tick.

Lyme Disease Symptoms

Early Stage (3 to 30 days after tick bite):

Erythema migrans (EM) rash:

• A rash that increases in size and is usually red with a clear center, providing a ‘bull’s-eye’ appearance although this is not mandatory.
• Mentioned at the site of the bite and does not cause itching and pain most of the times.

Flu-like symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Later Stage (weeks to months if untreated):

• More EM rashes on other parts of the body
• Severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees.
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)

Heart issues (Lyme carditis):

• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting

Nerve and brain symptoms:

• Shooting pains
• Tingling or numbness particularly in the hands and the feet
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating

Long-term (if the patient does not seek any treatment or if the treatment fails to alleviate the symptoms):

• Ongoing joint pain (Lyme arthritis)
• Chronic fatigue
• Cognitive issues ("brain fog")

Lyme Disease Treatment

Early Lyme Disease Treatment:

• The antibiotic therapy can range from 10 to 21 days, depending on the case, strictly orally.

Common choices:

• Number one is doxycycline, which is a tetracycline antibiotic applicable for both adult people and children over eight years.
• Amoxicillin (For younger age, pregnant or breastfeeding clients)
• Cefuroxime (another alternative)

Later or Severe Lyme Disease Treatment:

If Lyme disease has progressed (or complicated to the nervous system or heart), the following may be recommended by doctors:

• 14-28 days of intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone among other IV antibiotics.

Chronic Lyme Disease

What it usually means:

Some people still experience such signs for instance:

• Fatigue
• Joint or muscle aches
• Memory and concentration problems ("brain fog")
• Sleep issues
• Mood changes (like anxiety or depression)

These symptoms occur then for months or even years after the thorough antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease.

Early Signs of Lyme Disease

The stage 1 Lyme disease symptoms typically appear within 3 to 30 days of a tick bite. What to look for:

Erythema Migrans (EM) Rash

Most frequent early symptom (occurs in approximately 70–80% of cases).

Appearance:

• A red, enlarging rash.
• Frequently bull's-eye shaped (clear center with a red ring), but not always.
• May be warm to the touch, but not usually painful or itchy.
• Occurs at the location of the tick bite.

Flu-Like Illness

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint pains
• Swollen lymph nodes

Less Frequent Early Symptoms

• Stiff neck
• Dizziness
• Mild shortness of breath

How do you get Lyme disease?

Lyme Disease Causes:

• Tick is infected by feeding on a host animal (such as mice, birds, or deer) that carries the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.
• Tick bites a person, typically by hanging onto skin when you pass through grass, bushes, or leaves.
• Bacteria make their way from the tick into your body through the bite.
• It typically takes the tick being attached for at least 24–36 hours to transmit the bacteria — so prompt removal generally avoids infection!

Is Lyme disease curable?

Yes, Lyme disease is curable — particularly when it's diagnosed and treated early

Here's the easy picture:

Early Lyme Disease

• A 2 to 4-week course of antibiotics (such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime) typically cures it completely.
• Most people recover fully and rapidly if treated early.

Later or More Severe Lyme Disease

• If the infection spreads (to joints, heart, or nervous system), longer antibiotic courses — sometimes even IV antibiotics — are required.
• Recovery is still possible, but it may be slower and require additional assistance (such as physical therapy for joint discomfort).

Lyme disease Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Lyme disease is a combination of examining your symptoms, your exposure history to ticks, and occasionally performing laboratory tests. Here's what happens:

Step 1: Clinical Diagnosis (really important - don't skip this!)

Physicians initially look for symptoms such as:

• Erythema migrans (EM) rash (the bull's-eye rash is nearly diagnostic by itself!)
• Fever, fatigue, muscle pains
• History of recent outdoor activity (such as hiking, camping, or gardening) in regions where Lyme disease is prevalent assists the physician in suspecting it.

Step 2: Blood Tests (if required)

Blood tests are more precise several weeks after infection (since your body takes time to develop detectable antibodies).

Two-step testing is indicated:

• ELISA test — a screening test to search for Lyme antibodies.
• Western blot test — if ELISA is positive or indefinite, this is definitive.

Natural remedies for Lyme disease

Beneficial Natural Supports (with antibiotics)

Boost the Immune System

• Vitamin C: Immune defense support.
• Zinc: Aids in healing and immune function.
• Probiotics: Guard gut health during antibiotic treatment (such as yogurt, kefir, or supplements).

Relax Inflammation

• Turmeric (curcumin): Anti-inflammatory natural herb.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: In flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts — decrease joint pain and brain fog.
• Ginger: Lessens inflammation and nausea.

Herbal Support (be cautious!)

A few herbs researched for Lyme support:

• Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa): May support immune function.
• Andrographis: Enhances the body's battle against bacteria.
• Japanese Knotweed: Resveratrol, which is anti-inflammatory.
• Samento (a type of Cat's Claw): Occasionally utilized in herbal protocols.

Detox Support

• Hydrate (lots of water)
• Epsom salt baths: Can assist in relaxing muscles and alleviating aches.
• Milk thistle: Aids in liver detoxification while taking antibiotics.

Lifestyle

• Rest: Your body requires additional sleep during recovery.
• Gentle movement: Light walking or stretching assists circulation.
• Stress reduction: Deep breathing, meditation, or yoga assists healing.

Neurological Lyme disease

Neurological Lyme disease (also referred to as neuroborreliosis) occurs when the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria of Lyme disease infect the nervous system.

Here's a simple explanation:

How it happens:

If Lyme disease is not treated promptly, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and infect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.