Lyme Disease and Chronic Fatigue

Lyme Disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are peculiar diseases, and they have the medical community baffled. Both illnesses are difficult to diagnose, the symptoms can be inconsistent, and they vary greatly between sufferers. Lyme Disease is known as the great imitator because it can mimic many other illnesses, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. So, to get a better understanding, let’s take a closer look at Lyme vs Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

 What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease comes from the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi, found on ticks, and it’s passed on to humans through tick bites. Lyme Disease is an illness that begins with flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, it will usually develop into Chronic Lyme Disease.

The symptoms of early-stage Lyme often go unnoticed, and with chronic Lyme, the symptoms can come and go, and they can also migrate around the body. Testing for Lyme is poor, and each year, around 427,000 people in the USA are diagnosed with Lyme Disease, but potentially the numbers are much higher.

 Symptoms of Early Stage Lyme

Early-stage symptoms occur within 3 to 42 days after a bite from an infected tick and can include:

 ●       A Distinctive Round Rash - However, this only occurs in around 50 percent of cases.

●       Flu-Like Symptoms

●       Fever

●       Chills

●       Headache

●       Stiff Neck

●       Muscle Aches

●       Fatigue

●       Swollen Lymph Nodes

  Symptoms of Chronic Lyme

If left untreated, Lyme will develop into chronic Lyme Disease, and symptoms include:

 ●       Chronic Pain

●       Chronic Fatigue

●       Migraines

●       Brain Fog

●       Facial Paralysis

●       Jaw Pain

●       Tingling and Numbness in Extremities

●       Irregular Sleep Patterns and Night Sweats

●       Hot Flushes

●       Swollen Glands

●       Stiff Neck

●       Depression

●       Anxiety 

What’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID). Each year 800,000 to 2.5 million people are diagnosed with CFS, and it’s more common in women and middle-aged adults.

CFS affects many different bodily systems and causes mental and physical fatigue that doesn't improve with rest. The cause of CFS is unknown, but it could be related to genetics, hormones, immunology, environmental factors, stress, past illnesses - particularly viral infections, and even psychological triggers. CFS is diagnosed by first ruling out other medical conditions in addition to extensive diagnostic tests.

 The Symptoms of CFS

●       Memory and concentration problems

●       Swollen lymph nodes

●       Exhausted easily by physical and mental activity

●       Poor quality of sleep

●       Dizziness - especially going from sitting to standing

●       Chronic muscle and joint pain

●       Depression

●       Anxiety

●       Headaches

●       Sore throat 

How Are Lyme Disease and CFS Similar?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome shares most of its symptoms with Chronic Lyme, and it’s hard to differentiate between the two. The testing for both is poor - with sufferers often waiting months for a correct diagnosis. Lyme Disease may also cause CFS, and you can have them at the same time. It’s not uncommon for people with CFS to be misdiagnosed with Lyme Disease and vice versa.

 Conclusion

 If you have a neurological or autoimmune condition, such as CFS, for the best chances of managing your illness, you should always rule out Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is complex and can present itself as many different diseases, and it doesn’t always show up on tests. The treatments for Lyme and CFS are different, so it’s vital to get the correct diagnosis.