How is Lyme disease diagnosed? This tick-borne illness can be treated effectively with a reduced risk of complications— as long as it is properly diagnosed quickly. This is often done using various laboratory tests and a physical exam. Knowing the signs and symptoms and seeking treatment as soon as possible can all lead to the best outcome.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that requires quick detection and treatment to yield effective results. Though, despite it being quite common, many patients remain undiagnosed and suffer unnecessarily. Some even face potential long-term complications due to the delayed treatment.
This article explores how Lyme disease is diagnosed and the challenges encountered along the way.
How is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?
A Lyme disease diagnosis is so important for getting the right treatment as soon as possible. Yet, regardless of how common tick bites are or how many people are dealing with the condition, getting an accurate diagnosis poses some challenges.
Physical examinations and laboratory testing both can provide the necessary information to diagnose Lyme disease. Here is a closer look.
Physical Examination
As with any medical condition, a diagnosis won’t come without a physical examination. This is true for Lyme disease, as well. Healthcare providers will assess the patient and look for signs of the infection, such as:
- The signature rash at the tick bite
- Swelling or aching of the joints
- Improper nerve function, discovered through a series of in-office tests
Laboratory Testing
While physical examinations can help, laboratory testing goes beyond what the doctor can physically see. Note that there are no general blood tests that will inform the doctor about the condition, but rather tests that will confirm or deny a suspicion.
Common tests used for Lyme disease detection include:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This test screens the patient for antibodies linked to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium.
- Western blot. When the ELISA test is positive for the antibodies, this one is a confirmation.
- Miscellaneous blood tests. Additional testing may be performed at your doctor’s discretion to rule out other conditions.
If a tick bite occurred recently, it may be too early for a diagnosis. Blood work may not show that Lyme disease is the culprit for up to 4 to 6 weeks. It is always a good idea to retest if Lyme disease is suspected.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
When it comes to diagnosing Lyme disease, early detection is crucial for effective treatment and reducing the risk of long-term complications. If you are spending time outdoors, always be sure to check yourself for ticks. And, if you do experience a tick bite, take swift action.
Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Before ever reaching a medical professional, there are signs you can be on the lookout for that, when paired with things like recent outdoor activity, can help you to recognize whether or not you may be suffering from Lyme disease.
While the symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient, a few of the most common include:
Rash. The rash from Lyme disease will be a circular or oval-shaped rash around the tick bite site. This often looks like a bullseye and may expand in size over several days. Some report itching and burning along with the rash and others do not.
Flu-like symptoms. Fever, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, headache, and fatigue may all indicate a positive diagnosis.
Neurological symptoms. Lyme disease can impact the nervous system, causing various symptoms such as numbness, tingling, facial paralysis (also known as Bell’s palsy), and cognitive difficulties.
Heart inflammation. Sometimes heart inflammation can occur and this can result in things like irregular heartbeat or chest pain.
Joint Pain and swelling. Some patients experience symptoms similar to arthritis, such as painful, swollen joints. This symptom often appears in more advanced stages of Lyme disease.
If you suspect you may be suffering from Lyme disease, seek help from a healthcare professional right away.
What Makes Lyme Disease Diagnosis a Struggle?
So, what makes Lyme disease so difficult for healthcare professionals to diagnose? What could lead to a delayed diagnosis when the diagnostic tools are readily available? There are a few things that can make it a challenge.
Lyme disease comes with symptoms that are commonly found in other illnesses. This makes a misdiagnosis a reality. For instance, the flu-like symptoms may be mistaken for the flu or the swollen joints may lead to a focus on arthritis. Treating these symptoms rather than focusing on their root cause can lead to significant delays in getting the right treatment.
Some patients don’t experience symptoms right away which can also increase the risk of a misdiagnosis. The longer it takes for them to appear, the less likely they are to be associated with a tick bite.
And finally, laboratory testing is not fail-proof. In the early stages of the infection, certain blood work may not indicate that Lyme disease is the culprit. This false negative can result in a delayed diagnosis and treatment.
You are your best advocate. When you feel that something is off or you want a more in-depth investigation to find the root cause of the symptoms you are feeling, fight for it. Sometimes this may involve finding an alternative solution.
Lyme Disease Treatment at Lyme Mexico
If you have received a Lyme disease diagnosis or believe that is what you are suffering from, getting the best treatment is essential for your healing journey.
At Lyme Mexico, Dr. Omar Morales and his team offer personalized Lyme disease treatment that will help reduce symptoms — or eliminate them. Each patient is different so the alternative treatments methods used will take into consideration your genetics as well as the aggressiveness of the bacteria. After all, how Lyme disease impacts your health can be different from someone else.
If you are willing to travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, to see the latest treatments, you may find yourself getting the relief you have been searching for.
Take back your health and become a patient today!
Conclusion
Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease can prevent complications and give you the best chance for a full recovery. If you have been bitten by a tick or suspect you may have this infection, seek help from a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.