Lyme disease, a common illness prevalent in the United States and Canada, is a bacterial infection

The common symptoms associated with Botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. After being examined by a doctor his examination may show the gag reflex and the deep tendon reflexes like the knee jerk are either decreased or even absent. Infants who have botulism may appear to be lethargic, weak, and have floppy movements due to muscle weakness and trouble controlling the head. Infants may eat poorly, become constipated, have a weak cry, poor muscle tone and difficulty sucking or feeding. Many of these symptoms are part of the muscle paralysis that is caused by the bacterial neurotoxin. If these symptoms are untreated they may cause paralysis in the various parts of the body. The most often paralysis seen is as the descending paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and the breathing muscles.

Lymes disease is present here in Nova Scotia and has also affected humans and dogs in different parts of North America. It is one of the most common tick-causing symptoms however only 5-10% of dogs are affected showing different forms of the disease. Living in Lunenburg & Queens County (NS), there seems to be a higher population of deer ticks, as well as other parts of the province. The deer ticks are the primary carrier of the disease. A tick carrying the bacteria (B.burgdorferi) that can cause Lyme disease can transmit it to a dog after filling itself with blood, which takes at least 48 hours. Even if it is attached for 48 hours, the dog may not contract the disease.

The symptoms to bell's palsy are very straightforward. One morning you wake and you basically notice that half or all of your face is partially or completely paralyzed. So symptoms include not being able to blink, not being able to fully contract your facial muscles that includes smiling and facial expressions.

The action of facial nerve or cranial nerve V11 involves different facial expressions and with these conditions it affects its functions. Moreover, patients with Bell’s Palsy frequently present with a abrupt commencement of symptoms that might be mistaken as stroke such as one sided facial dysfunctions with no blink control on the affected side, diminished tear production, and sagging of the mouth towards the affected side (Mayhew & Carhart, 2015). Additional signs and symptoms of Bells Palsy that may be seen in a patient within the first two days are changes with reference to their sense of taste, slurring speech, salivating, increased sensitivity to side of dysfunction (EMSWORLD,2015). Moreover, since the muscles do not pick up any fathomable impulses from the brain which resulted to non-contraction of the muscle. This is basically the root cause of why the affected individual shows a side of the face that sags and droops. To some extent, even blinking an eye becomes quite of a challenge and speaking properly becomes a labored effort (Mayhew & Carhart,

In 1975, residents living in the small town of Lyme, Connecticut started to experience many troubling symptoms such as muscle aches, joint pains, and fatigue. The prevalence of the symptoms among both children and adults baffled doctors, and they struggled to diagnose their patients. By 1977, the first 51 cases of “Lyme arthritis” were described, and the Ixodes scapularis tick, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick, was linked to the transmission of the disease (Pino). The causative factor was discovered in 1981 by Willy Burgdorfer when he isolated a spirochete, or spiral-shaped bacteria, that triggered the Lyme symptoms while he was studying another

Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to mammals and humans through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system causing irreversible damage. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings for instance the stereotypical bulls eye rash and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that is transfused to humans via a bite from a tick infected with the disease. (Ticks are scientifically classified as Arachnida, a specific classification that also includes spiders.) The most common ticks known to carry Lyme disease are the Deer Tick and the Western Black-Legged Tick. The first manifestation of an infection is typically a rash, which may appear to resemble a bull 's eye. The proliferation of the infection progressively brings on symptoms that include headache, fever, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and stiffness of the neck. Lyme disease goes undiagnosed because of the size of these ticks being the size of a peppercorn and unobserved by person that was bitten. In addition, numerous symptoms are like those of the flu and other bacterial infections. Laboratory evaluations may help facilitate at this stage, but may not always give a clear diagnosis. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, 2016).

Research is also being done to help with the curing of Bell’s Palsy. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) performs extensive research in order to better the understanding of how the nervous system works and what causes dysfunction in the nervous system. Some of this research entails learning more about what causes nerve damage and certain diseases and conditions that cause nerve damage. Information gained from this research can aid neurologists to find the cause of Bell’s Palsy, which would obviously lead to better treatments (NINDS, 2011).

One of the most distinct features of Bell’s Palsy is its unknown etiology. Previously, Bell's palsy was speculated to be the cause of other diseases, but it is not the result of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, which are conditions that both can cause facial paralysis. The actual cause of Bell's palsy has not yet been completely determined, but according to some studies, scientists believe that Bell’s palsy is caused by a viral infection such as viral meningitis or the common cold sore virus which is caused by herpes simplex. Scientists believe that the facial nerve swells and becomes inflamed as a reaction to the

The study included different variables. Bell’s palsy itself is a dependent variable as its occurrence and relationship with immunization is being studied. A dichotomous dependent variable has been used in the study too, which is observed immunization status. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine, trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and any other type of vaccine are independent variables. Other independent variables include population of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), their age, sex, race and socioeconomic status, census distribution and their income. Hence, the authors are focusing on the problem of Bell’s palsy among children aged 18 or younger and its occurrence following the immunization with TIV, HBV or any

Differentials: GCA, thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome, orbital trauma, duane syndrome, convergence spasm, primary divergence insufficiency/divergence paralysis, mobius syndrome, restrictive thyroid myopathy, orbital wall blow out fracture, orbital myositis, early onset esotropia.4,5 Danger and referral: Prompt referral to GP if suspected diabetes/hypertension to examine blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin.4 If patient younger than 45 years (includes all children), accompanying pain, other neurologic signs, worsening signs, cancer history, bilateral CN6 palsy, papilledema signs refer promptly to neurologist for MRI.4 If patient 45-55 years and no vasculopathic risk, consider referral to neurologist for MRI.4 If signs and symptoms indicating suspicion of GCA, refer immediately (to hospital with available rheumatologist, ophthalmologist) for ESR, CRP and platelets.4 Depending on suspected cause, consider referral to doctor or health clinic for RPR, lyme titer, syphilis serology, FTA-ABS.4 If otitis media needs to be ruled out, refer to doctor for otoscopic examination.4 When cause/abnormality is known, refer to appropriate health care practitioner to treat the cause.4 Common causes: Isolated CN6 palsy never has nuclear origin.5 Common causes for adults is vasculopathic (such as diabetes and hypertension), trauma, unknown (idiopathic).4 Less common include raised ICP, stroke, cavernous sinus mass, MS,

Judging from both the subjective and objective symptoms of this patient, I would diagnose her with Lyme disease. The characteristic bull’s eye rash along with the other presenting symptoms is what leads me to this conclusion. “Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Lyme disease is transmitted through ticks and with the patient stating she was recently in an area where a large number of ticks were present; this is more evidence suggestive of Lyme disease. Symptoms tend to worsen as this condition goes untreated and it seems as if her symptoms are progressing.

Bell’s Palsy is a type of severe paralysis of the muscles on one side of an individuals face, the nerves that are damaged are thought to be caused by a type of virus; some types that can cause Bell’s Palsy is chickenpox or shingles, cold sores, mumps, cytomegalovirus and a virus that causes mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr), but no real cause is known. The symptoms of this condition is sudden weakness in the face, drooling, eye problems, loss of ability to taste, increased hearing sensitivity, dropping of one side of the face, headache, and pain in or behind the ear. Bell’s Palsy is diagnosed by a physical and neurological exam to test for facial nerve function, most of the tests are a process of elimination. If the tests and undetermined blood

In 1885, the French neurologist Augusta Klumpke [6] described the clinical picture of OBPP affecting the lower plexus trunk at C8-Th1, leading to paralysis of the muscles of the hand and ipsilateral pupillary dilatation, called Horners sign. Therefore, OBPP affecting the lower trunk is often referred to as Klumpkes palsy. OBPP diagnosed at birth is defined into three groups in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases :

A diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy was made and she was treated with prednisolone, acyclovir and given a follow up appointment with the Neurology Specialist Clinic. Three weeks later her symptoms and signs had resolved.