Lyme disease does not land in the top charts of the most dangerous illnesses. However, this disease can cause a lot of health issues if not given adequate medical attention. It can lead to fatigue, headache, joint pain, and even heart palpitations. Normally, there are early warning signs that would indicate that you may be suffering from this disease.

According to Express, while the symptoms of Lyme disease tend to overlap with other illnesses, one of the most common symptoms is a headache. This is an offshoot of the bacterial infection that was contracted from an infected tick.

The Dangerous Tick Bite

Although not all tick bites will transmit the bacteria, one of the telltale signs of an infected tick bite is a bullseye-shaped rash. This will develop in the area that was bitten. At the initial bite, you wouldn’t be able to see a lot of symptoms. However, between 3 to 30 days after the bite, you will start to see the bullseye-shaped rash.

Symptoms that signal lyme disease
Symptoms that signal lyme disease Catkin - Pixabay

In other cases, the rash does not even develop. This is why it is important to understand the other symptoms that are normally associated with Lyme disease such as stiffness and light sensitivity. Others experience flu-like symptoms, joint pain, tiredness, chills, and fever. The overlapping symptoms are also one of the reasons why an exact diagnosis of the ailment becomes somewhat difficult.

A Neglected Disease

According to a doctor of the Lyme Disease Clinic in the UK, Dr. Joshua Berkowitz, he has encountered a lot of patients who are already suffering from the disease for many years and were given different findings by other doctors. What patients would usually hear is that what they are feeling are results of depression or that it’s psychosomatic. Thus, these patients would feel that they were abandoned by the medical profession.

Berkowitz said that it’s unacceptable for the medical practitioners not to acknowledge chronic Lyme disease. He also stressed that there is enough evidence supporting the severity of Lyme disease and that physicians must understand and acknowledge the suffering of their patients.

He also acknowledged that Lyme disease might be difficult to treat, which is why a concerted effort must be exercised to address the problem and achieve concrete results. NHS stated that if you notice any of the symptoms, better consult your physician immediately. Don’t forget to give information on whether you have spent time in the woodlands or health areas. These are the breeding places of ticks.