lyme disease essay conventional paper
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), L. O. Box 8923, New
Fairfield, CT 06812, (203) 746-6518
Lyme Disease
Lyme Arthritis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information included in the Rare Disease Database can be provided for
educational purposes only. It should not really be used for diagnostic or
treatment uses. If you wish to get hold of more information relating to this
disorder, make sure you contact your personal physician and the firms listed
in the Resources portion of this survey.
Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted inflammatory disorder characterized
by an early focal pores and skin lesion, and subsequently a growing red place on the
epidermis (erythema chronicum migrans or perhaps ECM). The disorder can be followed
several weeks later by neurological, cardiovascular or joint abnormalities.
Symptomatology
The 1st symptom of Lyme disease is known as a skin ofensa. Known as erythema
chronicum migrans, or ECM, this usually starts as a reddish colored discoloration
(macule) or while an elevated circular spot (papule). The skin ofensa usually
shows up on an extremity or on the trunk, especially the thigh, buttock or
the under provide. This spot expands, generally with central clearing, to a
diameter because large since 50 cm (c. 12 in. ). Approximately 25% of sufferers with
Lyme disease record having been injured at that site by a little tick 3 to 32
days prior to onset of ECM. The ofensa may be nice to touch. Soon after
onset nearly half the individuals develop multiple smaller lesions without
hard centers. ECM generally takes a few weeks. Other types of
lesions might subsequently look during quality. Former pores and skin lesions may well
reappear faintly, sometimes ahead of recurrent attacks of osteoarthritis. Lesions
from the mucous walls do not take place in Lyme disease.
The most typical symptoms associated ECM, or perhaps preceding it by a handful of
days, can include malaise, tiredness, chills, fever, headache and stiff
neck. Less typically, backache, muscle mass aches (myalgias), nausea, nausea
sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and a great enlarged spleen organ may also be
present.
Most symptoms will be characteristically irregular and changing, but
malaise and tiredness may linger for several weeks.
Rheumatoid arthritis is present in about half in the patients with ECM, developing
within weeks to several weeks following starting point and long-term as long as 2 years.
Early inside the illness, migratory inflammation of numerous joints
(polyarthritis) without joint swelling might occur. Afterwards, longer disorders
of inflammation and pain in several large joints, especially the knees
commonly recur for many years. The knees commonly are more
swollen than unpleasant, they are often sizzling, but hardly ever red. Bakers cysts
(a cyst in the knee) may well form and rupture.
Those symptoms accompanying ECM, especially malaise, fatigue and low-
class fever, may also precede or accompany recurrent attacks of arthritis.
Regarding 10% of patients develop chronic knee involvement (i. e. unremittent
for 6 months or longer).
Nerve abnormalities might develop in about 15% of patients with
Lyme disease inside weeks to months following onset of ECM, often prior to
arthritis takes place. These abnormalities commonly last for months, and
usually deal with completely. They will include:
1 . lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis
2 . dried meats involuntary actions (chorea)
several. failure of muscle skill due to malfunction of the cerebellum
(cerebellar ataxia)
4. cranial neuritis which include Bells palsy (a kind of facial paralysis)
5. motor unit and sensory radiculo-neuritis (symmetric weakness, pain
strange feelings in the extremities, usually taking place first in
the legs)
6. injury to single nervousness causing reduced nerve response
(mononeuritis multiplex)
7. inflammation of the spine (myelitis).
Abnormalities in the heart muscle mass (myocardium) result from approximately
8% of patients with Lyme disease within just weeks of ECM. They may include
fluctuating degrees of atrioventricular block and, less typically
inflammation from the heart sack and cardiovascular muscle (myopericarditis) with
lowered blood quantity ejected from the left ventricle and a great enlarged cardiovascular system
(cardiomegaly).
When Lyme Disease is usually contracted during pregnancy, the fetus may or may
certainly not be adversely affected, or perhaps may agreement congenital Lyme Disease. In a
study of 19 pregnant women with Lyme Disease, fourteen experienced normal
pregnancies and regular babies.
If Lyme Disease is contracted during pregnancy, possible fetal
abnormalities and premature beginning can occur.
Etiology
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete bacteria (Borrelia Burgdorferi)
transmitted by a small tick called Ixodes dammini. The spirochete is definitely
probably injected into the victims skin or perhaps bloodstream during the time of the
insect bite. After an incubation period of a few to thirty-two days, the organism
migrates outward in the skin, is spread throughout the lymphatic system or is definitely
disseminated by the blood to be able to body bodily organs or various other skin sites.
Lyme Disease was initially described in 1909 in European medical journals.
The first break out in the United States occurred in the early 1971s in Aged
lyme, Connecticut. An unusually high incidence of teen arthritis in the
area led scientists to review and determine the disorder. In 81, Dr .
Willy Burgdorfer determined the bacterial spirochete patient (Borrelia
Burgdorferi) which causes this kind of disorder.
Affected Population
Lyme Disease arises in wooded areas with populations of mice and deer
which will carry clicks, and can be contracted during virtually any season from the year.
Related Disorders
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disorder similar in features to Lyme
disease. Yet , the discomfort in arthritis rheumatoid is usually even more
pronounced. Morning hours stiffness and symmetric joint swelling additionally
occur in rheumatoid arthritis, and knotty lumps underneath the skin could possibly be
present above bony prominences. Bony decalcification which can be
visible in Rheumatoid Arthritis is recognized on X-rays.
Brachial Neuritis, also known as Parsonnage-Turner Problem, is a
common inflammation of a group of nerves that supply the arm, forearm, and
side (brachial plexus). It is characterized by severe neck of the guitar pain inside the
area above the collarbone (supraclavicular) that may expand down the arm
and into the hand. There also may always be weakness and numbness (hyperesthesia)
of the hands and hands. Although many instances have no noticeable cause, this
syndrome might occur subsequent an immunization (tetanus or perhaps diptheria)
surgery, or illness with Lyme Disease.
Treatments: Standard
For adult surfers with Lyme disease the antibiotic tetracycline is the medicine of
decision. Penicillin Sixth is v and erythromycin have also been utilized. In children
penicillin Sixth is v is recommended rather than tetracycline. Penicillin V has become
recommended pertaining to neurological malocclusions. It is not however clear whether
antibiotic treatment is helpful afterwards in the health issues when osteoarthritis is the
most predominant indicator. Treatment should be started when the rash
appears, even before the Enzyme Connected Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) evaluation
is completed. Results of this test may be incorrect if people have had
remedies soon after contracting Lyme Disease, or in those who have
vulnerable immune systems.
If lyme Disease is caught during pregnancy, careful monitoring by
physicians is highly recommended to avoid possible fetal abnormalities
and complications.
For tense knee bones due to improved fluid streaming in the joint
spaces (effusions), the use of crutches is often beneficial. Aspiration of
fluid and injection of a corticosteroid could possibly be beneficial. In case the patient
with Lyme disease has noticeable functional restriction, excision in the
membrane cellular lining the joint (synovectomy) might be performed to get chronic (6
months or more despite therapy) knee effusions, but spontaneous remission
can happen after more than 12 months of ongoing knee participation.
When ever Lyme Disease is developed during pregnancy, treatment with
penicillin should begin immediately to avoid associated with fetal
abnormalities.
In 1989 a fresh Lyme Disease antibody test out, manufactured by Cambridge
Biosciences Corp., was approved by the FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. This evaluation is being utilized by
local laboratories throughout the country, making testing more offered to
the general populace. However , it really is 97% specific for antibodies to Lyme
disease when compared to Western blot tests, but it really cannot identify the
live bacteria in patients who may have not yet designed the antibodies.
Therapies: Investigational
Researchers are attempting to develop a check that will discover the Lyme
disease bacteria in individuals who have not yet developed the antibodies.
This could enable doctors to identify Lyme disease very early in the course
of the illness.
This disease entry is based upon medical information obtainable through
September 1989. As NORDs assets are limited, it is not feasible to keep
every entry inside the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies classified by the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Assets
For more information about Lyme Disease, please contact:
National Firm for Uncommon Disorders
S. O. Box 8923
Fresh Fairfield, COMPUTERTOMOGRAFIE 06812
(203) 746-6518
Lyme Borreliosis Foundation, Inc.
G. O. Box 462
Tolland, CT 06084
(203) 871-2900
Lyme Disease Clinic
Marshfield Clinic
one thousand North Walnut Ave.
Marshfield, WI 54449
The Nationwide Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Conditions Information
Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MARYLAND 20892
(301) 468-3235
Lyme Disease Center
Yale New Haven Medical center
333 Cedar Street
Fresh Haven, COMPUTERTOMOGRAFIE 06510
