What is Shingles?
Shingles is a disease of the skin which causes painful rashes and blisters across the body. Herpes zoster is another name for this disorder. This common disease affects approximately 1 million Americans every year and typically occurs in people over the age of 60.
Only those who have had chicken pox can be affected by shingles, although shingles itself is not contagious. If you have not had chicken pox, you may catch chicken pox or another type of infection from someone who has shingles. In fact, the disorder itself almost looks like chicken pox, although it only occurs on one side of the body.
Those with a poor immune system are more prone to contracting shingles. Also, if the immune system in the body is down shingles may last longer. In severe cases, shingles can last up to years at a time. In these severe cases (typically lasting more than 4 months), shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia. Unfortunately, many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of shingles, as they do not recognize its presence.
Shingles sufferers experience a great deal of pain when dealing with this disease, as do other people struggling with any number of medical problems causing severe pain. What can be done to assist those in pain? Pain treatment is offered at a variety of rehabilitation centers. In fact, many places offer specialized treatment to those seeking pain rehab.
Symptoms of Shingles
Pain caused by shingles can be a debilitating pain. This type of pain can last for months or years at a time. Symptoms of shingles however, only take place on one side of the body. Common symptoms of this disease include:
- Intense pain
- Tingling and stabbing sensations
- Sensitivity to touch
- Headache
- Burning sensations
- Presence of a rash
- Need to itch
- Many symptoms of the flu
- Shooting pain
- Sharp and sudden pain
- Weakness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blistering
- Chilling sensations
- Numbness
Effects of Shingles
Long-term effects of shingles can be very painful and harmful to one’s body. Pain experienced by those with shingles and other disorders can be unbearable at times. This sort of pain is often best treated through pain rehab at a pain treatment center. Effects of shingles include:
- Loss of hearing
- Disseminated zoster
- Scarring
- Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
- Skin infection
- Blindness or poor vision
- Paralysis
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Extreme sensitivity
- Depression
In severe cases of shingles, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) occurs. PHN is a popular effect of shingles and can last from 4 months to many years. In many cases, rashes, pain, and other symptoms of shingles greatly increase in those with PHN.
Postherpetic neuralgia occurs because of damaged nerve fibers which took place because of shingles. Damaged nerve fibers cannot send accurate messages to the brain and thus these messages are often interpreted as pain. This complication typically occurs in people of an older age.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by a type of virus called varicella-zoster. This virus also causes chicken pox, and a reason why only those who have had chicken pox can contract shingles. Those who have chicken pox, never really get rid of the virus, the virus is only inactive. When a person has a weak immune system, the virus may become active again.
Diseases such as cancer weaken the immune system, leaving a person prone to the painful effects of shingles. Old age, drugs, and surgery can also increase the chance of shingles development. Some also argue that stress leads to shingles outbreaks.
Treatment for Shingles
As of yet, there is still no cure for shingles although certain treatments are available. Treatments which may work to improve the lives of those with shingles and shorten the duration of the problem include:
- Pain medicines
- Antiviral medicines
- Antidepressants
- Topical skin creams
- Corticosteroids
- Anticonvulsant medicines
- Opioids
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Surgery
Recently, a new vaccine has come out, called Zostavax, which is a vaccine for shingles. It is not recommended for anyone who has had breakouts of shingles previously and may potentially be helpful is those who presently have the disorder.
Treatment for complications in which extreme pain is experienced is often strongly recommended. Such pain treatment is offered at a variety of treatment centers. Pain treatment facilities offer specialized programs and a variety of other therapies which may help those desiring to recovery from pain.