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Lyme disease like 'waking with a hangover' every day | Lyme disease like 'waking with a hangover' every day |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A man forced to quit work because of Lyme disease hopes pop star Justin Bieber's admission he has it will raise awareness of the condition. | A man forced to quit work because of Lyme disease hopes pop star Justin Bieber's admission he has it will raise awareness of the condition. |
Mark Morgan, from Cardiff, said the illness is so debilitating he can no longer work because of the "constant symptoms of anxiety and fatigue". | Mark Morgan, from Cardiff, said the illness is so debilitating he can no longer work because of the "constant symptoms of anxiety and fatigue". |
There are about 3,000 cases of the disease - a bacterial infection spread by ticks - each year in the UK. | |
Ex-engineer Mr Morgan said people do not understand its long-lasting impact. | Ex-engineer Mr Morgan said people do not understand its long-lasting impact. |
He has been experiencing symptoms that could be attributed to Lyme disease since puberty. | He has been experiencing symptoms that could be attributed to Lyme disease since puberty. |
The 54-year-old said it became "increasingly difficult" to hold down a job as he got older because of the long term effects of the disease and in 2015 he had to stop working completely. | The 54-year-old said it became "increasingly difficult" to hold down a job as he got older because of the long term effects of the disease and in 2015 he had to stop working completely. |
It got to the point Mr Morgan was sleeping in his car on his lunch break so he could finish his day at work. | It got to the point Mr Morgan was sleeping in his car on his lunch break so he could finish his day at work. |
He said people often do not understand that his symptoms of fatigue and anxiety are severe. | He said people often do not understand that his symptoms of fatigue and anxiety are severe. |
"People often remark that I look OK, but I don't feel OK," Mr Morgan said. | |
He said he was "quite pleased" to get the diagnosis after his illness was dismissed by doctors, but he did not realise how difficult the condition was to treat. | He said he was "quite pleased" to get the diagnosis after his illness was dismissed by doctors, but he did not realise how difficult the condition was to treat. |
"People need to understand that it is a serious, potentially long-term condition. The symptoms are dreadful," he said. | "People need to understand that it is a serious, potentially long-term condition. The symptoms are dreadful," he said. |
"People need take precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks and, if bitten, seek immediate medical treatment." | "People need take precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks and, if bitten, seek immediate medical treatment." |
Earlier this month, pop star Justin Bieber announced he had been living with Lyme Disease for what he described as a "rough couple of years". | Earlier this month, pop star Justin Bieber announced he had been living with Lyme Disease for what he described as a "rough couple of years". |
The Canadian took to Instagram to share that he was suffering from the chronic infection after speculation he had a drug problem. | |
Bieber told his 124 million Instagram followers the disease had affected his "skin, brain function, energy, and overall health". | |
Singer Avril Lavigne and supermodel Bella Hadid have previously revealed that they also suffer from Lyme disease. | Singer Avril Lavigne and supermodel Bella Hadid have previously revealed that they also suffer from Lyme disease. |
Bieber's supermodel wife, Hailey Bieber, defended her husband on Twitter against criticism from those "trying to downplay the severity of Lyme disease". | Bieber's supermodel wife, Hailey Bieber, defended her husband on Twitter against criticism from those "trying to downplay the severity of Lyme disease". |
"Please do your research," she urged them. | "Please do your research," she urged them. |
A spokeswoman for charity Caudwell LymeCo said the news about Bieber shows the disease "really can affect anyone" and hoped his announcement would "reach a new audience who might be suffering similar symptoms without knowing the root cause". | A spokeswoman for charity Caudwell LymeCo said the news about Bieber shows the disease "really can affect anyone" and hoped his announcement would "reach a new audience who might be suffering similar symptoms without knowing the root cause". |
What is Lyme disease? | What is Lyme disease? |
According to the NHS UK website, it is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. | According to the NHS UK website, it is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. |
The disease is difficult to diagnose but initial symptoms can include: | The disease is difficult to diagnose but initial symptoms can include: |
Whilst most tick bites are harmless, some infected ticks can transfer the disease to humans. | Whilst most tick bites are harmless, some infected ticks can transfer the disease to humans. |
Lyme Disease UK said if the condition is diagnosed early it can usually be treated with antibiotics, which are key to helping reduce acute cases. | Lyme Disease UK said if the condition is diagnosed early it can usually be treated with antibiotics, which are key to helping reduce acute cases. |
A spokeswoman said: "When celebrities use their platform to raise awareness it's a reminder that the illness doesn't discriminate. | A spokeswoman said: "When celebrities use their platform to raise awareness it's a reminder that the illness doesn't discriminate. |
"Even high profile sufferers can have a very hard time getting an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment." | "Even high profile sufferers can have a very hard time getting an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment." |