The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium that deer ticks carry called Borrelia burgdorferi. When the tick bites the skin, the bacterium enters the bloodstream causing an infection. It is a serious disease that can lead to heart, skin, joint and nervous system problems. The Mayo Clinic says that the longer the tick is allowed to stay on the skin, the more likely an infection is to occur. According to Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, since ticks can bite, then fall off without detection, some people may not realize they have been bitten by a tick before symptoms of the infection develop.
Extreme Fatigue
Fatigue is another word for tiredness. People who have been infected with Lyme disease usually experience serious fatigue that can not be remedied by sleeping. The fatigue occurs because the body is using energy to fight off the infection within.
Heart Palpitations
A heart palpitation occurs when the heart starts beating very fast or forcefully for no apparent reason. The feeling is often described as the heart fluttering or skipping a beat.
Pain or Numbness in the Arms or Legs
Lyme disease causes problems within the nervous system. It isn't uncommon for pain, numbness or weakness to occur in the extremities (arms, fingers, legs, and toes) because of nerve inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a swelling of the lining of the eyelid and the upper eyeball. The type of conjunctivitis that occurs with Lyme disease is not contagious. The eye will become red and irritated and there will be a discharge of pus. The eye will feel irritated and can be sensitive to light. It is possible for the conjunctivitis to become so serious that it can spread to the optic nerve causing permanent loss of sight.
Neurological Problems
Mood changes, sleep problems, memory loss or even trouble speaking are some of the neurological problems that can occur after the infection has been allowed to progress. Loss of concentration and poor motor skills are not uncommon. The reason this occurs is because the infection associated with Lyme disease attacks the central nervous system.
Joint Inflammation
After several weeks of infection, painful joint swelling can occur. This is referred to as inflammation. The most common area for inflammation to occur is in the knees, although it can affect any joint in the body. The pain and inflammation can affect one joint at a time or several joints at once. It can also shift from one place to another throughout the day.
Chronic Lyme Arthritis
Chronic Lyme arthritis is a form of arthritis brought on by Lyme disease. One or more joints in the body are affected by swelling, redness and fluid buildup. The reason for this type of arthritis is due to the body trying so hard to fight off the infection. This condition lasts for at least six months at a time. This condition can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes it takes awhile for the affected joints to heal even after the bacteria have been eradicated.
