If you want to understand Lyme arthritis, you must know that it is caused by Lyme disease bacteria inflaming the joints, chronic arthritis may follow, people of any age can be affected by it, common treatments are antibiotics and medications that are anti-inflammatory, and the best way to solve this problem is through prevention and early treatment.

Anyone bitten by an infected tick can get Lyme disease. It was first recognized when cases of rheumatoid arthritis in children increased in 1975. Research revealed that ticks infected with Borelia burgdorferi bacteria were the cause behind the illness. Since some Lyme disease symptoms are similar to more common diseases like flu, some people may not seek appropriate medical treatment. Lyme arthritis often occurs in the last stages of Lyme disease. It is somewhat the same with inflammatory arthritis. The following are some Lyme arthritis facts that you need to know about:

It occurs when the Lyme disease bacteria starts to inflame the patient's joints

According to some experts, Lyme disease has more than one stage. At the earliest, the symptoms are somewhat similar to flu symptoms like fever, chills, head and body aches. The disease will start to infect other systems in the body if it is left untreated. Lyme arthritis happens in the late stage of Lyme disease and is caused when bacteria inflames the joints. Knee and shoulder joints are often the parts affected with Lyme arthritis. Severe headaches, mood disorders and anxiety are common symptoms of the last stages of Lyme disease.

There is a possibility of it developing to chronic arthritis

Research has shown that an estimated 10% of Lyme disease that is left untreated may result to chronic arthritis. Consistent inflammation of the patient's joints is technically termed as chronic arthritis and it may last for a year or even more. Swelling, redness and fluid buildup in the joints are the possible symptoms.

It can affect people of all age groups

Both adults and children can suffer from Lyme arthritis as a result of Lyme disease. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that the most common sufferers of Lyme disease are children between 5 and 9 years old and adults older than 30. Also, approximately 33% of the total cases of Lyme disease patients also suffered from Lyme arthritis.

Its possible treatments include antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications

One of the possible treatments for Lyme arthritis is antibiotics. Specifically, intravenous ceftriaxone was determined to be most successful in providing relief from the condition with positive response rates reaching 94%. Ibuprofen can ease the pain of someone suffering from swelling, or inflammation. However, these treatments are not as successful in some cases of Lyme arthritis. Bacteria are said to have grown immune to antibiotic treatments in rare unresolved cases.

Prevention and early treatment of Lyme disease is the solution

Because Lyme arthritis develops in the late stage of Lyme disease, the most obvious form of prevention is to prevent Lyme disease or treat it as soon as possible. Knowing the symptoms, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease is very important.

Lyme arthritis is a cause for much concern, but the effects of this condition can still be prevented and treated.