Lyme disease is a complex condition with a variety of symptoms that can range in severity from mild to debilitating. Common symptoms of early Lyme disease include:
Large rash Fever Chills
Headache Fatigue Muscle and joint pain
Once the infection goes beyond the skin, it can affect any system of the body, causing symptoms like:
Debilitating fatigue Severe headaches Joint swelling Nerve pain Muscle weakness
Arthritis Balance issues Numbness and tingling Heart-related problems Vision and hearing issues
In addition to physical symptoms, Lyme disease can cause mental symptoms, such as difficulty thinking and concentrating, memory loss, disorientation, cognitive deficits, mood swings, panic and anxiety.
This condition can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary, lab tests may not be reliable and it mimics other diseases. This can lead to a delay in treatment.
If Lyme disease is not properly diagnosed, it can become chronic and cause permanent damage to any organ of the body. This may include the nervous system as well as the brain, heart and joints.