https://news.yahoo.com/22-year-old-takes-life-lyme-disease-symptoms-184221634.html This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Content warning: This article discusses the topic of suicide which may be sensitive for some readers. Amélie Champagne, 22, recently died by suicide after a years-long struggle with Lyme disease. The daughter of Alain Champagne, the president of Jean Coutu Group, shared the news on his LinkedIn page. "It is with the heaviest of hearts (and still in shock) that I share the tragic news that our sweetheart Amélie took her own life this past Sunday," he began in the post. "Every day is extremely difficult." Champagne went on to explain how "challenging" Lyme disease made Amélie’s life after years of waiting for a diagnosis. "We were witnesses as to how challenging life had become for her in dealing with the evolving Lyme disease symptoms (after years of medical errance and finally getting a positive test in the U.S. this past June, over time and despite the recent treatments, the disease had evolved way beyond the numerous physical symptoms and was now severely impacting her brain)," he continued. Champagne ended the post by championing his daughter's courage. "Over time, Lyme essentially highjacked her…She was so courageous throughout this ordeal…she decided to free herself from the unbearable pain...You made us all better people," he concluded. Overall, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because it has a wide range of symptoms. In serious cases, the condition can impact the joints, nervous system and heart. According to Dr. Amir Khadir, who treats patients with Lyme disease, it is imperative that health professionals avoid trivializing the impacts of Lyme disease. "They are left with symptoms of extreme fatigue, pain all over the body, difficulty concentrating. Has there been exposure to a tick? Did we see a tick? Was there the erythema migraines – the kind of redness?" Khadir explains. "What sometimes hurts these patients very badly and plunges them into a disarray that increases their problem is the lack of recognition, it is to suffer contempt." Read on to learn more about Lyme disease. What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, spread through bites from an infected tick. According to the Government of Canada, ticks can attach themselves to any part of the body but are often found in the groin, armpits and scalp. They are typically attached to the body for 36 to 48 hours before Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.