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Tick Bites, Arthritis, and Meds May 2007 The Memorial Day weekend marks the de facto beginning of summer, and many of us will celebrate by heading into the great outdoors. If this includes you, a word of caution may be in order. Insect and tick bites can cause serious medical problems. Lyme Disease For instance, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of certain ticks. In addition to producing acute inflammation, Lyme disease can attack the nerves in the body, causing pain, numbness and muscle weakness. If you're going to be hiking or camping in tick country, be sure to wear protective boots, long socks, sleeves and pants...and use a liberal amount of insect repellent with DEET. Rheumatoid Arthritis Speaking of things that attack the nerves, studies have shown that Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that attacks your own bodily tissue, causing pain and joint stiffness, and even nerve damage. There's no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but with early diagnosis and treatment, its damaging effects can be slowed down. Medications Various medications also have been shown to damage the nerves. These include certain antibiotics, such as Gentamicin and Ciprofloxin; and anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol® and Dilantin®. Before you start taking any new medication, always check with your doctor about potential side effects and harmful drug interactions. You may also find helpful information at the better medical websites, such as Web MD. Have a happy summer. And remember: safety is no accident! |
