Postherpetic neuralgia: symptoms, treatment, reviews
Postherpetic neuralgia is a disease,characterized by the presence of severe pain in the nerves. It occurs after the course of herpes or herpes zoster. This pathological condition can occur for a long time, approximately 3-6 months after complete cure for lichen.
Shingles is a disease,provoked by a virus of chicken pox, remaining in nerve fibers after chicken pox. Often, the virus runs only in a few nerve roots and provokes the appearance of symptoms similar to an ordinary cold.
Peculiarity of the course of the disease
Postherpetic neuralgia of the trigeminal nerveis a dangerous disease that occurs after herpes zoster or chickenpox. It is characterized by the fact that when there are no external manifestations of the infectious process, and soreness and burning continues, and just in those places where there were earlier eruptions.
The whole point is that when flowinginflammatory process, tissues become very vulnerable, and irritation arises suddenly, therefore, painful sensations are observed almost constantly. Cope with this disease without competent medical care is almost impossible.
Who most often shows this pathology?
Postherpetic neuralgia manifests itselfexceptionally only in those people who had been ill with chicken pox before, and they had shingles on this background. Basically, this disease affects people of advanced age, patients with weakened immunity, as well as those who have been diagnosed with other diseases of internal organs.
This is due to the fact that with ageoppression of all systems, including nervous and immune. In the elderly, all existing diseases are acute enough, so there is a high probability of dangerous complications.
What are the types of neuralgia?
Postherpetic neuralgia has the following stages of development:
- sharp;
- subacute;
- the course of neuralgia itself.
For this type of disease are characterized by different types of pain, which are divided into groups such as:
- periodic;
- stable;
- allodic.
Periodic pain is characterized by the fact that itarises abruptly, like a current shock, but does not last long. Steady pain provokes a burning sensation, pressure and is accompanied by numbness of certain areas of the skin. Allodic - a sudden pain, manifested in response to the touch of clothing. But the irritability passes quickly enough.
Causes of the disease
Postherpetic neuralgia is the mosta common complication occurring during herpes zoster. The virus of chickenpox and depriving provokes damage to the nervous system and pathological changes in this area. As a result, the chemical composition of the substances released into the spinal cord begins to change. This can cause prolonged pain.
- elderly age;
- weakened immunity;
- severe rashes;
- soreness of the skin before the appearance of the rash.
Predisposing factor can be considered andThe presence of chickenpox, which is quite dangerous for its complications, especially for an adult. The disease can also arise as a result of untimely treatment of herpetic eruption.
The main symptomatology
Symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are quite typical, which is why a doctor who is treating can quickly make an accurate diagnosis. The main signs of the disease include such things as:
- a sharp throbbing pain;
- acute reaction of the body to the slightest touch;
- itching and tingling;
- loss of sensitivity of a specific area of the skin;
- headache;
- weakness of muscles, paralysis.
In addition, these symptoms are also accompanied by general symptoms of the course of the disease, in particular such as:
- insomnia;
- decreased physical activity;
- deterioration of appetite and weight loss;
- feeling of anxiety.
Since the virus mainly affects the nerves in the areaback, there is a high probability of intercostal neuralgia. However, rashes can also be in the face area, which leads to the defeat of the trigeminal nerve.
How long does neuralgia continue
The pain of postherpetic neuralgia continuesfor a long time and can be very different in intensity. The duration of the course of the disease can be very different, in particular, for many, they last for 15-20 days, and some can last for several months and even more than a year.
It is important to contact the attending doctor if the first signs of the disease occur, as this guarantees a quick, high-quality treatment that will help get rid of the existing symptoms.
Diagnostic features
To properly conduct treatmentpostherpetic neuralgia, it is necessary to turn to a neurologist or a neurologist for a complex diagnosis if the first signs of the disease occur. The doctor initially conducts a visual inspection, as a result of which the area of the lesion is determined. After the collection of anamnesis, the addition of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics is additionally assigned. The main types of research are:
- blood tests;
- research of the neuropsychic region;
- analysis for the detection of the herpes virus in the body;
- tomography, ultrasound.
How is treatment carried out?
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia shouldbe carried out in a timely manner, because the painful sensations provide the patient with a lot of inconvenience. There are several different methods of therapy, which can be used both in the complex and separately.
In addition, different methods should be usedto relieve pain. Necessarily need to wear the most comfortable clothes, as a rough, synthetic fabric can only irritate the skin and deliver pain. It is important to cover the sensitive area of the skin, as some parts of the body may be more susceptible to injury than others.
To relieve pain, cold compresses can be used that are applied to the affected area.
Medication
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderlyit is important to start people as early as possible, since this will largely depend on the positive result. When conducting therapy, patients are prescribed medication. It is worth noting that it is not possible to eliminate pain sensations by simple pain medication, which is why a qualified doctor should prescribe the medication. For the treatment prescribed drugs such as:
- anticonvulsant drugs;
- antidepressants;
- patches with lidocaine;
- pain relievers and ointments;
- narcotic analgesics.
During pregnancy, medicationsappointed very carefully, given all the doctor's recommendations. In this case, mainly homoeopathic drugs are prescribed. All medicines are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician, and also determines the most optimal dosage.
With ineffectiveness of drug therapy, blockade of symptomatic nodes, stimulation of the spinal cord, intercostal blockade.
Popular techniques
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the homeconditions implies the application of traditional medicine. These tools and techniques are used as a supplement to the main therapy. There are various fairly effective means, in particular, such as:
- black radish juice for grindings;
- ointment based on propolis and beeswax;
- garlic oil for cooking;
- compresses from decoctions of medicinal plants.
Other treatments
The effectiveness of the treatment depends largely on the individual characteristics of the patient. As additional methods of therapy are used such as:
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy;
- electrostimulation;
- intervertebral blockade with special preparations;
- massage with ice cubes.
Recently, a fairly popular techniquetreatment is considered radio-frequency destruction of nerves. The procedure is performed with the use of anesthesia and has certain contraindications, which is why it is important to consult a doctor beforehand.
Prevention
Unlike many other diseases,postherpetic neuralgia can be anticipated and prevented before the onset of the disease. Since the main predisposing factor is shingles, it is therefore possible to prevent the occurrence of the disease in advance. Prophylaxis of the disease implies:
- strengthening immunity;
- proper nutrition with enough vitamins;
- elimination of stress;
- prevention and timely treatment of the common cold.
When the herpes or chickenpox occurs, antiviral drugs must be taken, as they will help reduce the activity of the virus, reducing the probability of injury to the body.
Prognosis of the course of the disease
In many patients, the symptoms go throughjust a few weeks after its inception. However, in some individual cases, unpleasant symptoms can persist for several years and even a lifetime.
In itself, the disease does not representdanger to human life and health, however, it causes a lot of inconvenience. Throughout the period of the course of the disease, it does not progress and there is no deterioration of well-being. But it should be noted that there is a deterioration in the quality of life of the patient.
Feedback on treatment
When carrying out complex treatmentpostherpetic neuralgia patients' reviews are mostly positive, as with the right approach one can achieve very good results and get rid of the existing symptoms.
Some say that in old agemedications do not always bring relief and help get rid of the symptoms. In this case, it is required to carry out an additional course of physiotherapy, since it helps to get rid of painful pains much more quickly. During the therapy, antidepressants, strong pain relievers are used. Well proven drug "Neuromidine", which helps restore the normal functioning of muscle fibers.
If there is postherpetic neuralgia,reviews about the therapy are quite ambiguous. The duration of the course of the disease largely depends on the drugs used, as well as the methods used, which should be prescribed only by a qualified doctor.
Many patients say that a good result can be obtained with the use of medications together with a complex of physiotherapy, as well as folk techniques.
