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What is Shingles ?
Shingles can be defined as a viral
infection caused by varicella zoster (the same virus that causes
chicken pox) that is characterized by painful skin rashes and
blisters. This is an infection of the nerve ways and hence
appears in a linear fashion along the nerve pathways. Shingles
generally occurs in people who have been previously infected by
the varicella zoster virus and is medically termed as Herpes
Zoster. This infection is rare amongst the children and adults
but very common to the elderly people (aged 60 and above).
Studies have revealed that shingles affects almost 1 million
people in the United States.
Symptoms
Shingles start with a stinging pain accompanied by headaches,
fever, indigestion and fatigue-symptoms very close to flu. In a
couple of days, this pain gives way to red rashes in some parts
of the body which gradually develop into small blisters filled
with fluid. It is very important to keep the area clean and dry
to avoid any kind of bacterial infection. This is a localized
disease and affect only one part of the body. They can occur on
the arms, legs, hips, back and even face (which can be very
dangerous as they might affect the eyes) along a nerve. This is
why the shape of the rash is triangle, stripe or line. After
about 10 days, these blisters begin to disappear. However, the
pain continues unless the virus is completely cured. It is
advisable to keep patients suffering from Herpes Zoster away
from young children as they might transmit the virus to others
causing chicken pox.
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Stages
of the appearance of shingles
The initial stage starts with pain and small red rashes on
some parts of the body.
With time, this rash starts spreading.
The pain also increases and becomes almost unbearable.
The rashes give rise to fluid filled blisters.
After a week, the pain slowly starts reducing and the blisters
start healing.
Diagnosis
The symptoms of associated with shingles is pretty unique in its
own rights making diagnosis fairly simple. In case of any doubt,
fluid from the blister can be sent to the laboratory for
examination. Though shingles is not usually dangerous for
healthy people, it is very painful and causes great despair to
the patients. If it occurs on the upper portion of the body
especially the face, medical attention
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must be sought immediately. Though
rare, but the disease may lead to temporary partial paralysis of
the face (Bells palsy), ear infection (Otic Zoster which can
result to loss of hearing) and even encephalitis (inflammation
of the brain). The virus varicella zoster usually infects most
of the people as it also causes chicken pox. Though with the
help of medication, the disease is cured and the virus is
abolished from the body, it remains dormant in the ganglion that
is situated just next to the spinal cord. In healthy adults this
chicken pox virus is unable to relapse due to the immune system.
In children (whose immunity is not fully developed), and elderly
(whose immune system deteriorates), this virus starts to
reactivate. It forms localized skin infections that manifests in
the form of blisters.
Treatment
Antiviral drugs like acyclovir are generally used for the
treatment of Herpes Zoster. Acyclovir has the capacity to
prevent the virus from replicating and causing this illness.
Apart from acyclovir, valacylovir and famciclovir are the other
other anti viral drugs that are prescribed for the therapy of
shingles. In extreme cases, steroids are also recommended. In
serious cases, acyclovir can be given orally about four to five
times for a week to 10 days. In immunocompromised patients
(those suffering from AIDS or similar dieases), intravenous
acyclovir is given for relief.
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If shingles is not treated
immediately, it can lead to the complication called postherpetic
neuralgia (PHN). This causes chronic pain that lasts for several
years! It is said that the pain associated with PHN is often
worse than that experienced during child birth or heart attack.
In these cases the regular analgesics become ineffective and
hence tricyclic anti depressants like amitriptyline and anti
convulsants like capscaicin are used. Capscaicin is actually the
component in red pepper that gives the hot flavor. Ointments
containing capscaicin are applied on the affected area after the
healing of the blisters to prevent further occurrence of the
pain. To combat this virus, a vaccine called Zostavax has been
invented by Merck & Co. Zostavax has been successful in
preventing HZ to a great extent from a study conducted on
38,000 people, almost half of the users have been benefitted.
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Some
alternative treatments
In the year 1969 Dr. Renis from the company called Upjohn discovered
that the compound Oleuropein found in a olive leaf has the power to
destroy all viruses including the varicella zoster. Since then olive
leaf has been used as a herbal formula for shingles treatment.
Oleuropein is believed to perform the following functions:
Makes the immune system more powerful.
Combats the shingles virus.
Brings down the blood sugar level in the body.
It fights against the harmful viruses by dissolving their outer
lining and making them inactive.
Normalizes the blood pressure.
Increases the flow of blood in the coronary syatem.
Possesses anti viral, anti fungal and anti parasitic proprties.
Also helps in prevening cholesterol.
It is absolutely safe even in high concentrations.
Thus it can concluded that olive is good for the skin, heart and has
the power to fight against all the viruses. It is believed that
Olive tea is a natural antioxidant that increases the immunity of
the system.There are numerous homeopathy treatments that are used
for shingles. For example, Arsenicum can be used if the pain is very
bad at night and the blisters get some releif from heat. In cases
where shingles is accompanied by gastro intestinal problems with
bumps all over the abdomen, a dose of iris versicolor is often
prescribed. For those who suffer from itchy rashes, Rhus
Txicodendron is given in a very low concentration. However, it must
be remembered that none of thee remedies are clinically tested and
hence must be used with the regular prescribed drugs for the maximum
benefit.
Apart from these, there are a few hands-on treatment for shingles.
The best examples include acupuncture, Reiki and meditations.
Patients have claimed that these methods are only effective for
providing temporary relief. It is interesting to note that these
spinal manipulations are also best effective when used along with
other medications. For example acupuncture gives great relief when
used along with Darvaset, an ointment containing red pepper extract.
Also the shingles pain reaches its peak on days when the barometric
pressure is low.
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Article Contributed By: Sukanya
Banerjee
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