Chronic Lyme disease

Chronic Lyme Disease

Chronic Lyme disease (pronunciation: /ˈkrɒnɪk laɪm dɪˈziːz/) is a term used by some people to describe persistent symptoms like fatigue and joint pain in individuals who have or believe they have had Lyme disease, despite the standard treatment of antibiotics.

Etymology

The term "Chronic Lyme disease" is derived from the name of the town Lyme, Connecticut, where a number of cases were identified in 1975. The word "chronic" is derived from the Greek word "khronos" which means time, indicating a long-term condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Chronic Lyme disease may include fatigue, joint or muscle aches, sleep disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms can interfere with a person's normal activities and may persist for years.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Chronic Lyme disease is controversial. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many medical professionals do not recognize it as a distinct condition from Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), which describes patients who continue to suffer from symptoms after receiving standard treatment for Lyme disease.

Treatment

Treatment for Chronic Lyme disease varies, but often includes long-term antibiotic therapy, which is a controversial practice. Some medical professionals believe that long-term antibiotic use can do more harm than good, leading to antibiotic resistance and other complications.