No matter where you find yourself in nature, the one insect that most people tend to overlook is the tick. Tick-borne illnesses are more common than one might think. There are global reports of Lyme disease with cases occurring across Europe and Asia. All fifty states in the U.S. report cases, with more occurring in the Northeast, Northwest, and Upper Midwestern states.
The CDC estimates that tick-borne illnesses affect around half a million Americans yearly. Lyme disease isn’t a seasonal illness either. The Spring, Summer, and Fall are tick seasons. If you’re worried about a tick bite, first understand the signs of one. Then, ask your healthcare professional if Lyme disease is a possibility. They should have the necessary detection methods to help. Even so, those techniques aren’t perfect.
The best tests for Lyme disease do have limitations. This is where the future of wearable technology steps in. Early detection methods are possible with expanding artificial intelligence(AI) technology. But, before we get too far ahead, why does technology need to play a role in Lyme disease detection?
Is It a Tick Bite?
Learning about every detail involving a tick encounter, including how to recognize and care for a tick bite, is crucial to preventing severe illness. It’s important to be thorough in identifying tick bites.
Initial Symptoms: Stage 1
Lyme disease is difficult to detect at the early stages. It’s common for people not to notice, especially when the symptoms appear minor. A reddish, slightly warm skin rash is one of the early signs. It’s not until that area worsens or the rash gets bigger that serious concerns arise.
Lyme disease has different stages of symptoms. A rash may occur or not, making it harder to narrow down. Stage one symptoms include fever, chills, general malaise, headache, a stiff neck along with muscle and joint pain. These signs are also indicative of the common cold or flu, and similar illnesses. It’s no wonder early detection methods are so challenging.
Untreated Lyme Disease
The symptoms will worsen, especially if ignoring stage one signs. A tick bite may begin as a small bump or rash no bigger than a mosquito bite, but it will get worse. If the rash continues growing, it can become inflamed and spread to other areas. Headaches may turn into migraines and neck stiffness becomes severe.
Facial palsy may occur, which is the loss of muscle tone on one side of the face. Sometimes both sides are affected. There could be arthritis-like pain and swelling in the large joints, such as the knees. Once that occurs, walking and general mobility can become uncomfortable and feel more physically taxing.
Even testing for Lyme disease is inconclusive until adequate time has passed. For example, it takes the Lyme disease bacteria several weeks to develop. Any testing before that time will not deliver accurate results.
Early Detection Methods
When dealing with the aftermath of a tick bite becomes too overwhelming, turning to Lyme disease tests is your next best option. Remember, to consult with your medical professional before jumping to conclusions. The common technique used to test for Lyme is blood tests. These tests look for antibodies in the infected person’s bloodstream.
Instead of dealing with manual tests, scientists and doctors are looking to advancing technology. Today, people can access devices that can glean bodily changes when worn. For example, wearable technology currently on the market includes Apple® watches, FitBits®, smartwatches, and fitness trackers. Wearable tools have been around for years, but that doesn’t mean the tech was adept at early Lyme disease detection.
Advancing technology is making significant strides in the medical industry. It should be no surprise that AI-centric tech is exploring early detection methods. Artificial intelligence algorithms are gradually being integrated into medical systems and equipment.
Advanced Technology: Data and Detection
The wearable technology available thus far has limits in its ability to collect and read data. With the integration of AI and machine learning (ML), a new era of possibilities has begun.
Just a few years ago, wearable tech was unable to perform constant checks on the wearer. AI and ML have caused a stir across every industry, and for good reason. The tech is so sophisticated that it can perform millions of checks daily, all while collecting and maintaining data.
How can wearable technology lead to accurate Lyme Disease testing?
Experts, such as leading geneticists, have turned to wearable sensors that monitor an individual’s heart rate, cardiovascular activity, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and more. These variables could indicate Lyme disease before symptoms emerge.
Data can also reveal even more details about a person’s health, including the detection of inflammation, insulin resistance, possible onset of infection, and fever. Biometric data collection methods will continue to improve, delivering additional details and precise readings. This all contributes to the efficacy of health-conscious devices like wearable technology.
Looking Ahead
Current gadgets already incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning. Now, predictions for exponential advancement are hard to pin down, especially when it seems the sky’s the limit.
Moment-to-moment functionality with expanding ML and AI software will become the norm. Soon to follow are ideas like affective computing. Artificial emotional intelligence technology can detect one’s emotional state. Not only will wearable tech be capable of detecting physical illnesses, like Lyme, but it will also be able to recognize mental and emotional distress.
To Recap
As preventative AI-centric solutions are created to meet the needs of mental and physical health issues, wearable technology will continue to take the stage. These emerging technologies combine cutting-edge engineering with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and emotional computing. It won’t be long before wearables like wristwatches, heart monitors, glucose readers, and hearing aids get an ultimate upgrade.
Early detection methods of Lyme disease and other illnesses using simple devices were once considered a futuristic notion. Now, all one has to do is pay attention to what Apple® watches, FitBits® and smartwatches are capable of. New features are often revealed on an annual basis.
Learn more about Lyme disease and how it will change in the coming decades along with some quick tips on becoming more aware.
For further information on Lyme disease testing check out IGeneX tests today.