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Treatment for Shingles review articles from acupuncture.com |
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Shingles
is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes
chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the
nerve tissue. As we get older, it is possible for the virus to reappear
in the form of shingles. Shingles is estimated to affect 2 in every 10
persons in their lifetime. This year, more than 500,000 people will
develop shingles. Fortunately, there is currently research being done to
find a vaccine to prevent the disease. What is shingles?
Shingles is an outbreak of a rash or blisters on the skin that may be
associated with severe pain. The pain is generally on one side of the
body or face.
Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had
chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. Shingles is also more
common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection,
chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations and stress.
Early
signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or
itching generally located on one side of the body or face. The rash or
blisters are present anywhere from one to 14 days.
Yes. If
shingles appears on the face, it can lead to complications in hearing
and vision. For instance, if shingles affects the eye, the cornea can
become infected and lead to temporary or permanent blindness. Another
complication of the virus is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition
where the pain from shingles persists for months, sometimes years, after
the shingles rash has healed. There is a national, multicenter study under way of an experimental vaccine to prevent shingles, called the Shingles Prevention Study. The Shingles Prevention Study is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cooperative study representing a scientific collaboration among the VA, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Merck & Co., Inc., the vaccine's producer. Results will be available after the study is completed at the end of 2003. References:
NIAID Office of Communications & Public
Liaison Shingles can also be treated by Acupuncture, Nutritional and Herbal Therapy There are a few Chinese herbal patent formulas that can help treat shingles and relieve symptoms.
It is also important to avoid foods that cause inflammation in the body and depress the immune system. Avoid saturated fats, refined foods, sugars, and juice.
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