Lyme disease occurs when you are bitten by an infected tick. The symptoms of Lyme disease can range from mild to severe. If you are treated early on, you can have a complete recovery. If this disease goes untreated or does not respond to treatment, you can develop serious health problems. Lyme disease can affect many systems in the body, including the nervous system. If it does attack the nervous system, you may experience common symptoms.
General Neurological Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), neurological symptoms usually become apparent in the second stage of Lyme disease. These symptoms include numbness and tingling sensations in the hands or feet, and pain and weakness in various areas of the body. You may also develop Bell's palsy, which is a paralysis of the facial muscles on either one or both sides of the face.
Additional Neurological Symptoms
The Arthritis Foundation states that if your Lyme disease progresses, you may experience a lack of muscle coordination, visual disturbances and symptoms suggestive of meningitis, which is an inflammation of the membranes that surround your brain. This can lead to a fever, stiff neck and severe headaches. You may also notice difficulty concentrating. You may feel irritable, experience shooting pains, have trouble with your memory and difficulty sleeping.
Chronic Neurological Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic suggests that, in some cases, neurological symptoms of Lyme disease may not appear for weeks, months or years after you are first infected. If there is damage to the nervous system, you may develop mood disturbances and a burning sensation in the arms and/or legs. If the nerves that carry signals to the heart are affected, you may develop heart rhythm irregularities and heart palpitations.
