Ramin Rak explains the Neurological complications of Lyme Disease.
As a highly skilled board certified neurosurgeon, Ramin Rak has treated a number of conditions involving both the spine and brain.
At Neurological Surgery, P.C., located on Long Island, he has come across a number of cases of Lyme disease. With the condition on the rise, it is important to know how lyme disease is contracted and the damaging effects it can have. More tips like these can be found on Ramin Rak’s twitter feed.
According to an article from Stony Brook Medicine, Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium, spirochete.
It is transmitted by deer ticks, which are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. A tick bite, though painless, can cause arthritic complications, as well as neurological and cardiac problems. The longer the tick is attached, the greater risk of Lyme disease transmission.
The symptoms and severity of Lyme disease can vary from person to person.
The most common symptom is a rash, which eventually grows into a bulls-eye shaped ring. Flu like symptoms are also possible, including headache, aching muscles, fatigue, chills, and fever. If treated properly, the complications may end there. Unfortunately, if the tick goes unnoticed, a persons first symptoms may be arthritic, neurological, or cardiac.
Arthritic complications due to Lyme disease include general achiness, pain, and swelling in the joints.
Neurological problems consist of meningitis, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, bell’s palsy, and encephalitis. Most patients with flu like symptoms can be completely cured with antibiotics but those with arthritic or neurological symptoms require a more vigorous treatment.
Protect yourself from ticks by:
- Applying tick repellants
- Shampoo and shower after being in the woods
- Keep long hair tucked away
- Wear long sleeves and long pants
- Check yourself occasionally
- More tips on how to defend yourself against ticks can be found here.
