If you've been bitten by a tick recently, there is a possibility you may have been infected with Lyme disease in Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH. If left untreated, the disease can spread to your heart, joints or nervous system. Dr. Olusegun Ogunlesi and the team at Axelix Health Consulting are ready to diagnose and treat you if you think you've been exposed to Lyme disease.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a common vector-borne disease caused primarily by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Most people get infected when they're bitten by a black-legged tick (deer ticks). Most deer ticks are found in the upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Pacific Coast. Dr. Ogunelesi can quickly treat Lyme disease in Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH if an infected person receives an early diagnosis.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms associated with the disease are fever, headache, chills, rash and fatigue – depending on how far along a person is in the infection. These symptoms usually occur within three to 30 days of a tick bite.
Other symptoms might occur days or months after a tick bite, and some of the most common symptoms include:
- Severe neck stiffness and headache
- Rashes that appear all over the body
- Joint swelling with severe pain
- Shortness of breath/Episodes of dizziness
- Nerve pain
- Brain or spinal cord inflammation
- Tingling in feet or hands
- Facial palsy
Treatment
Most doctors treat the disease with antibiotics. The earlier a person receives a diagnosis, the better – it gives them the best odds of making a full recovery. However, some patients do experience symptoms for more than six months. Known as "post-treatment Lyme disease" or PTLD, researchers aren't sure why some people still experience symptoms after treatment. However, a qualified healthcare provider can help manage symptoms.
Prevention
The best prevention is to avoid situations where a tick might bite you. Ticks can be found anywhere, but they prefer wooded, grassy or brushy areas. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, doctors recommend you use insect repellent with DEET.
You should also wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when camping or hiking to avoid bites. When outdoors, you can wear light-colored protective clothing to make it easier to see ticks, and you should check yourself every day for ticks.
If you think you're suffering from Lyme disease in Mentor, Ashtabula, and Geneva, OH, contact Dr. Ogunlesi and the team and schedule a consultation at Axelix Health Consulting by calling (440) 867-4800.