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How to differentiate between lupus and lyme disease

Person in pain

Lupus is an autoimmune disease and Lyme is an infectious disease. If their origin is not the same, why can the diagnoses be confused? The symptomatology of lupus is very broad and in many cases overlaps with that of Lyme.

The lupus is a disease that affects collagen.collagen, a protein found in our connective tissue that holds the whole of our body together. Collagen loses its elasticity, so that it can compromise the functioning of our organs.

Inflammation and pain can spread throughout the body as connective tissue is present throughout the body.

For its part, the Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium that acts as a parasite rather than an infectious agent. The bacterium borrelia burdogferi is a spirochete which, with its characteristic shape, moves through the body affecting numerous tissues.

But what are the symptoms of Lyme? As Dr. Nicole Rivera of the Integrative Wellness Gropu in the United States says, "...the wellness community is a place where you can find the best of the best.the symptoms of Lyme and Lupus can be the same: joint pain or weakness, followed by problems with the functioning of one of your organs as well as dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system or kidneys; recurrent infections or fatigue that can keep you out of work for two days.

In addition to all this, there are the sneurological symptoms which can range from very extreme mood swings to behavioural changes or forgetfulness.

Of all these manifestations, some are non-specific and only specialists can detect the need for more specific tests through the clinical history. In fact, when there is confusion in the diagnosis, it is recommended to investigate any previous autoimmune problems.

Symptoms common to Lyme Disease and Lupus

  • Joint pain and stiffness, with or without inflammation
  • Muscle aches, pains or weakness
  • Fever with no known cause
  • A lot of fatigue
  • Butterfly-shaped rash over the nose and cheeks
    and other skin rashes
  • Unusual weight gain or loss
  • Anaemia (too few red blood cells)
  • Difficulty in thinking, memory problems, confusion
  • Kidney problems with no known cause
  • Chest pain with deep breathing
  • Sensitivity to sunlight
  • Hair loss
  • Purple or pale toes

Less common symptoms between the two diseases are

  • Blood clots
  • Seizures
  • mouth or nose sores (usually painless)
  • Severe headache
  • Dizziness
  • Not being able to judge reality
  • Feeling sad
  • Dry or irritated eyes

Lupus as a consequence of Lyme

Lupus and Lyme disease can overlap and really because if an autoimmune disease is affecting a part of your body it could be because there is an infection in that tissue.

The spirochete hides in the connective tissue, rather than in the bloodstream. If thehe immune system attacks that tissue to fight Lyme.could damage the tissue and lead to Lupus.

Mariano Bueno

Dr. Mariano Bueno and his team

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