Understanding Shingles: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Shingles, a skin disease caused by a viral infection known as varicella-zoster, is characterized by a rash resembling water blisters. Patients experience a burning pain, often described as a sharp object stabbing a specific area. These rashes typically appear in bands, affecting one side of the body or face, and persist for 2-4 weeks.
The Root of the Disease
Varicella-zoster, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, hides in the nerve ganglia after the initial infection. Shingles emerges when the immune system is weakened. The virus then inflames the affected nerves, resulting in pain and a rash. Although the rash eventually disappears as immunity strengthens, the persistent inflammation of the nerves leads to lingering pain.
Referred to as “nerve pain from shingles,” this discomfort occurs in the nerve ganglia related to the affected area. It usually follows shingles lesions and is correlated with the inflammation levels in the ganglia during the shingles period. Even after the rash subsides, patients continue to experience a burning sensation similar to electric shocks or needle pricks. This pain is often accompanied by numbness, itching, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli, significantly impacting the patients’ quality of life.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies nerve pain from shingles within the broader category of shingles. It is predominantly triggered by factors such as stress, mood swings, inadequate rest, and an imbalanced diet. These factors result in liver blockage and spleen deficiency, compromising the body’s balance and immunity, eventually leading to shingles when exposed to disease-causing external factors.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Common symptoms of shingles include:
- A personal history of chickenpox
- Pain, burning, itching, and numbness in the affected area
Treatment Approaches in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture, by stimulating circulation and resolving blood clots, aids in the recovery of damaged nerves and reduction of pain, ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life. However, treatment outcomes depend on factors such as the patient’s age, rash location, severity, and treatment duration. Seeking treatment within the first 2 weeks to 1 month of the disease is generally more successful in alleviating nervous symptoms.
Preventive Measures Recommended by Chinese Doctors
To prevent shingles and its associated symptoms, Chinese doctors advise:
- Getting sufficient rest
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Managing stress and anxiety to maintain mental clarity
If you need further information or wish to consult about your health, reach out to the “Chinese Doctors Team” at Hua Chiew Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, by calling 02 223 1111. The clinic is open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except on public holidays. You can also find them on OA LINE: @huachiewtcm or visit their Facebook page: Huachiew Bangkok TCM Clinic.
Shingles is a skin disease caused by a viral infection. varicella-zoster The patient will have a rash that looks like water blisters. There is a burning pain. Or it hurts like a sharp object stabbing a certain area. They usually appear in bands on one side of the body or face. The duration of the disease is 2-4 weeks.
The cause of the disease is a viral infection. varicella-zoster This is the same type of virus that causes chicken pox. After getting chicken pox, the infection can hide in the nerve ganglia and turn into shingles when the patient has a low immune system. The infection will run along the nerve causing inflammation. There is pain and a rash. When the rash disappears as immunity increases But the nerves are still inflamed and heal slowly, causing pain even though the rash is gone.
“Nerve pain from shingles” is pain in the nerve ganglia in the area where the shingles is affected. It usually follows shingles lesions. Pain is related to the level of inflammation in the ganglia during shingles. Although the wound has healed, there is still a burning sensation. Similar to being stabbed by an electric shock or being stabbed by a needle, burning pain, numbness, itching, and the pain increases when Stimulated by different senses Often leads to affecting life. Including patients’ quality of life
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine Nerve pain from shingles It is classified within the scope of the group of patients with shingles. Often caused by stress mood swings Not enough rest Including eating food that is not balanced, causing liver blockage and spleen deficiency when the body is in an unbalanced state. less immunity When they are exposed to factors that cause disease from the outside It can cause infection and cause shingles.
Disease symptoms (signs/signs) (????)
1. Have the history of the eagle
2. There is pain, burning, itching and numbness in the area affected by shingles.
The cause of the disease (????)
1. Mood swings Blocked liver qi Causes heat in the liver meridian.
2. Unbalanced eating Lack of spleen causes dampness. Causes the Spleen meridian to have residual heat and dampness.
3. Elderly or frail patients with low blood supply cause qi to become congested and blood to clog
Guidelines for treatment using traditional Chinese medicine
Acupuncture will stimulate circulation and break up blood clots. remains of the lesion Restores the function of damaged nerves Makes the pain decrease Helps to have a better quality of life. However, the results of treating nerve pain from shingles depend on the age of the patient. Location of rash Severity of rash during shingles Duration of illness includes duration of treatment. In general, nervous symptoms If it is treated within 2 weeks to 1 month after the disease occurs It will give a clear improvement in the effectiveness of the treatment.
Chinese doctors recommend preventing disease/symptoms (????)
Get enough rest. Avoid eating spicy food. Avoid stress and anxiety, keep your mind clear.
Ask for information or consult about your health at the “Chinese Doctors Team”, Hua Chiew Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, call 02 223 1111.
Open every day (except public holidays) from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
OA LINE: @huachiewtcm
Facebook: Huachiew Bangkok TCM Clinic
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