Lyme Disease Vs Addison's Disease

Lyme disease and Addison's disease are two different conditions that have similar symptoms. One of the primary differences is that Lyme disease is infectious, whereas Addison's is an endocrine disorder.

Identification

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by three different types of the bacteria Borrelia. Most common is Borrelia burgdoferi. Lyme disease is the most common disease to come from ticks in the Northern Hemisphere. It is transmitted from bites from the tick Ixodes.

Effects

The most common and characteristic symptom of Lyme disease is a bulls-eye rash that occurs at the point of infection. Other symptoms include fever, headache, depression and fatigue. Left untreated, Lyme disease can continue to cause joint and heart problems, as well as certain disorders of the nervous system.

Misconceptions

People may confuse Lyme disease with Addison's disease. Addison's disease is a fairly rare condition in which the adrenal gland does not produce enough corticosteroids. It is named after Dr. Thomas Addison, who first discovered the disease. Addison's can develop in both adults and children and can be the result of a number of other conditions.

Expert Insight

The most common symptoms of Addison's are fatigue, muscle weakness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Other changes can include changes in mood and joint and muscle pains. Upon further testing, such symptoms such as low blood pressure (hypotension), hyperpigmentation of the skin and a goiter may occur.

Considerations

Though both diseases have similar symptoms, the most obvious way of distinguishing the two is to show an adrenal insufficiency, most commonly with a test called the ACTH test. In this test, adrenalcortical-stimulating hormone is injected, and if the patient has a problem with the adrenal ground, there will be an abnormal response. If the problem is endocrine in nature, the hormones can be replaced. Otherwise, if Lyme disease is suspected, antibiotics such as doxycycline will be administered.