Lyme Disease Description: Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried by deer ticks. Lyme disease is common in ticks in some areas, and non-existent in others. Untreated Lyme disease can affect many systems, including the heart, joints, and nerves. Early treatment can often prevent problems. Symptoms: Symptoms occur in early and late phases. Early Lyme disease is usually heralded by the appearance of a distinctive "bulls-eye" skin rash, followed days to weeks later by symptoms involving the joints, nervous system, or heart. Symptoms of late Lyme disease may appear a year or more later and include skin disorders, prolonged bouts of arthritis, and neurological problems. Fatigue is a prominent feature of both early and late Lyme disease. Number of Americans diagnosed: There have been 160,012 reported cases since 1980. Long-term problems/treatments: Prompt treatment with antibiotics is very effective in curing Lyme disease in nearly all cases. Different studies report that between 13 and 53 percent of patients develop a condition called post-Lyme syndrome. Persisting sometimes for years, such symptoms include arthritis, numbness or tingling in parts of the body, fatigue, mood disturbances, and loss of concentration. Life-threatening disorders affecting the heart, lungs, or nervous system can occur but are rare. Directory List Choose an illness from the menu below: Select here Allergies Alzheimer's disease Arthritis Asthma Bipolar disorder Chronic back problems Chronic bronchitis Chronic obstructive        pulmonary disease Cirrhosis Depression Developmental disabilities Diabetes Emphysema Endometriosis Epilepsy Glaucoma Hearing impairment Heart disease Hepatitis C High blood pressure Human Immunodeficiency        Virus (HIV) Kidney disease Lou Gehrig's disease Lupus Lyme disease Migraine Multiple sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Orthopedic Impairments Osteoporosis Paralysis of the extremities Parkinson's disease Psoriasis Schizophrenia Sinusitis Stroke Thyroid condition         Previous      Next Resources Lyme Disease Foundation Lyme Disease Network American Lyme Disease Foundation Home | Awareness | Patient Files | The Challenge | Your Stories | Outreach | Resources About the Program | About Fred Friendly Seminars | Our Partners | Site Map | Credits © 2001 Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.