Healthgrades is a website that provides patient ratings and reviews of doctors who specialize in treating Lyme Disease. A doctor can earn up to four stars based on their experience and number of past patients. The Healthgrades website is owned by Red Ventures and contains content that is copyright protected. You must follow the terms of the Healthgrades User Agreement to access the site.
Symptoms
Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that can be transferred to humans by ticks. These ticks are typically small and can attach to the skin easily. You should avoid tick-infested areas and always wear long pants and sleeves when outdoors. Also, make sure to check your pets’ fur and make sure they are treated for ticks. The bacteria from tick bites can enter your bloodstream if they stay attached to your skin for 36 to 48 hours. However, if you find a tick and remove it within two days, you are unlikely to get Lyme disease.
Antibiotics are the standard treatment for Lyme disease. This disease can also lead to joint pain, swollen joints, and a general feeling of fog. It can also damage nerves in the brain and throughout the body. Healthcare providers diagnose Lyme disease based on these symptoms and whether the patient was exposed to infected ticks.
The most prominent symptom of Lyme disease is the appearance of an erythema migrans (rash). Not everyone suffering from this disease develops this rash, and in some cases, it appears in several locations. The rash may occur on the thighs, knees, arms, or groin area.
Other Lyme disease symptoms are not so noticeable and may not be apparent until the disease has advanced to a late stage. In late stages, people may experience heart problems and joint pain. The most common problems are joint pain, nervous system problems, and arthritis. More than 60% of patients with untreated Lyme disease will experience at least some of these symptoms.
Lyme disease can spread to other parts of the body months or years after the initial infection. It can lead to nervous system problems, arthritis, and numbness. The bacteria responsible for the disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is carried by black-legged ticks and deer ticks. Adult ticks can be easier to remove, but immature ticks are harder to detect.
The first test to diagnose Lyme disease is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to look for antibodies against B burgdorferi. The second test may be an immunoblot or a different ELISA. However, blood tests are inaccurate in early stages of the disease. If your doctor suspects Lyme disease, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Depending on your symptoms, antibiotic treatment may take several weeks.
Treatment
Finding a Lyme disease specialist near me can be a challenge, but the right treatment and diagnosis can result in a better overall health outcome. Fortunately, the number of experts is increasing. A good doctor with a thorough understanding of the disease will know exactly how to treat patients with Lyme disease, and can recommend advanced testing.
A good doctor with extensive experience should have a reputation for helping patients recover from Lyme disease. He or she should have at least a four-star rating and be experienced in treating Lyme disease. You can read reviews to determine whether a doctor is a good fit for your condition. A doctor’s rating should be based on past patient experiences. The site operates under the Healthgrades Marketplace, a subsidiary of Red Ventures, a medical information company.
Lyme disease is a chronic infectious illness that affects several body systems. Symptoms can be mild, or they can be severe and incapacitating. Some patients experience random muscle pain, joint pain, or even twitching. Others experience fatigue, brain fog, or sleep problems.
Because a tick can bite a person, it is important to see a specialist as soon as possible. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it’s likely you have Lyme disease. However, it’s important to remember that many people with the disease don’t notice a tick on their bodies. The symptoms are the result of the disease affecting the body’s immune system.
When you visit a Lyme disease specialist near me, they’ll perform a thorough physical exam to determine the severity of your symptoms and your overall health. They may also order blood tests and genetic testing to see whether you have the genetic markers for Lyme disease. You should also bring the tick to the appointment, if possible. The doctor will examine the tick and determine what treatment is necessary.
After you’ve been bitten by a tick, you should begin antibiotics as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a different antibiotic.
Doctors to consult
Your primary care doctor may recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease and refer you to an infectious disease specialist. He or she may also order the right diagnostic tests and interpret the results. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for Lyme disease. Antibiotics are most effective when they are started early in the disease’s course.
Generally, a short course of oral antibiotics is recommended for Lyme disease. This treatment should last between two and three weeks. Additional courses of IV antibiotics are rarely necessary. Symptoms that do not respond to antibiotic treatment may be relieved by anti-inflammatories or arthritis drugs.
A doctor can perform a Western blot test to determine whether you have Lyme disease. Lyme disease can lead to many complications, but early diagnosis and treatment can result in a rapid recovery. However, some symptoms can trigger false-negative tests. It is important to get a proper diagnosis as early as possible, because Lyme disease often masquerades as other illnesses.
Lyme disease symptoms usually start days to weeks after a person has been exposed to a tick. While some symptoms may be mild and go away in a few weeks, others may last months or years. Therefore, it’s important to seek evaluation as soon as possible, especially if you found the tick recently. There are several PhysicianOne urgent care facilities throughout New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, who can handle Lyme disease cases.
There are many popular websites devoted to Lyme disease. These websites include information about the disease, public statements by medical doctors who are knowledgeable about the disease, and presentations by activists. It’s important to get the right information from all sources to understand your treatment options. It’s important to seek the advice of a qualified medical professional, who will recommend the best treatment for you.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILAS) is a nonprofit medical society with a database of doctors and specialists. This website contains an online search feature to help you find a provider. Additionally, the ILADS developed a doctor referral system to help patients find appropriate care.
Tests to get tested for Lyme disease
One of the first steps in diagnosing Lyme disease is to get a blood test for Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is responsible for the symptoms and signs of the disease. Several tests are currently available for this disease. Some tests have limited accuracy, while others are not specific enough.
Blood tests are done by drawing blood from a vein in the arm. A small needle is used to collect the blood, which is then sent to a laboratory for testing. The blood test can take as little as five minutes. Those with symptoms of Lyme disease may also need a cerebrospinal fluid test. People with symptoms such as a stiff neck and numb hands and feet may require this test. If you have a positive ELISA test, your doctor may order a Western blot test to confirm the diagnosis.
A test can also show if you have Lyme disease by detecting antibodies to the bacteria. Unfortunately, this test is not 100% accurate. Some people have falsely positive results because they have other bacterial infections. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you get the proper diagnosis as soon as possible.
Home kits are available for testing for Lyme disease. However, they may not be as accurate and may not contain all of the extras that a professional laboratory needs. In addition, an at-home test may not show results for two to four weeks, which means you may still need to see a doctor.
Another option for diagnosing Lyme disease is a blood test. Blood tests for the disease are usually negative, but it is possible that someone with the symptoms of Lyme disease can have a positive test without being aware of it. When this happens, you may need to take anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressants.
The results of this test are often accurate, but it is important to get a second opinion before starting treatment. The LDO recommends a test that uses a Western blot. This technique uses electricity to separate proteins in the blood. A positive result will mean that the patient has been infected with Lyme borreliae bacteria.
