Postherpetic neuralgia is a disease characterized by the presence of severe pain in the nerves. It occurs after the course of herpes or shingles. This pathological condition can occur for a long time, about 3-6 months after a complete cure for lichen.
Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus that remains in the nerve fibers after chickenpox. Often, the virus only occurs in a few nerve roots and causes symptoms similar to the common cold.
Feature of the course of the disease
Postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia is 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, but soreness and burning continue, and just in those places where the rash was previously.
The fact is that during the course of the inflammatory process, the tissues become very vulnerable, and irritation occurs suddenly, therefore, painful sensations are observed almost constantly. Deal with this diseasecompetent medical care is almost impossible.
Complex treatment is selected purely individually, after performing diagnostics, laboratory tests, and studying the history of the course of the disease. It is important to distinguish it from all other types of neuralgia. Severe, excruciating pain often requires surgery.
Who most often manifests this pathology?
Postherpetic neuralgia manifests itself exclusively only in those people who had previously had chickenpox, and against this background they developed shingles. It mainly affects the elderly, immunosuppressed patients, and those diagnosed with other diseases of the internal organs.
This is due to the fact that with age there is a suppression of all systems, including the nervous and immune. In old age, all existing diseases are quite acute, so there is a high probability of dangerous complications.
What are the types of neuralgia?
Postherpetic neuralgia has the following stages of development:
- spicy;
- subacute;
- flow of neuralgia itself.
This type of disease is characterized by various types of pain, which are divided into groups such as:
- periodic;
- steady;
- allodynic.
Periodic pain is characterized by the fact that it occurs abruptly, like a blowcurrent, but does not last long. Sustained pain provokes a burning sensation, pressure and is accompanied by numbness of certain areas of the skin. Allodynic - sudden pain, manifested in response to the touch of clothing. But the irritability passes quickly enough.
Causes of disease
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. The varicella zoster virus and lichen provokes damage to the nervous system and pathological changes in this area. As a result, the chemical composition of substances secreted into the spinal cord begins to change. This can cause prolonged pain.
There are several factors that increase the likelihood of postherpetic zoster neuralgia, which include:
- old age;
- compromised immunity;
- pronounced rashes;
- soreness of the skin before the rash appears.
The presence of chicken pox can also be considered a predisposing factor, which is quite dangerous for its complications, especially for an adult. A disease can also occur as a result of untimely treatment of a herpetic rash.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are quite characteristic, which is why the attending physician will be able to quickly make an accurate diagnosis. The main signs of the disease include:
- sharp throbbing pain;
- acute reaction of the body tothe slightest touch;
- itching and tingling;
- loss of sensation in a certain area of the skin;
- headache;
- muscle weakness, paralysis.
In addition, general symptoms of the course of the disease are also added to these manifestations, in particular, such as:
- insomnia;
- reduced physical activity;
- loss of appetite and weight loss;
- feeling anxious.
Since the virus mainly affects the nerves in the back, there is a high probability of intercostal neuralgia. However, rashes can also be in the face, which leads to damage to the trigeminal nerve.
How long does neuralgia last
The pain of postherpetic neuralgia continues for 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 for some they can last for several months or even more than a year.
It is important to contact your doctor when the first signs of the disease appear, as this guarantees a quick, high-quality treatment that will help get rid of the existing symptoms.
Diagnostic features
In order to properly treat postherpetic neuralgia, you need to contact a neurologist or neurologist for a comprehensive diagnosis when the first signs of the disease occur. The doctor initially conducts a visual examination, as a result of which the affected area is determined. After collecting an anamnesis, an additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostics is prescribed. The main types of research carried out include:
- blood tests;
- research of the neuropsychic field;
- analysis for the detection of the herpes virus in the body;
- tomography, ultrasound.
Research results provide the most accurate picture of the course of the disease. In addition, it allows you to determine how exactly the treatment should be carried out.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia should be carried out in a timely manner, as pain causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient. There are several different methods of therapy that can be used both in combination and separately.
In addition, you need to apply various techniques to relieve pain. Be sure to wear the most comfortable clothing, as a rough, synthetic fabric can only irritate the skin and cause pain. It is important to cover sensitive areas of the skin, as some parts of the body may be more susceptible than others.
Cold compresses can be applied to the affected area to relieve pain.
Medicated treatment
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly is important to start as soon as possibleearlier, since a positive result will largely depend on this. During therapy, patients are prescribed medications. It is worth noting that it will not work to eliminate pain with simple painkillers, which is why a qualified doctor should prescribe medications. For therapy, drugs such as:
- anticonvulsants;
- antidepressants;
- lidocaine patches;
- pain relief creams and ointments;
- narcotic analgesics.
During pregnancy, drugs are prescribed very carefully, taking into account all the doctor's recommendations. In this case, mainly homeopathic remedies are prescribed. All medicines are prescribed exclusively by the attending doctor, and also determines the most optimal dosage.
Be sure to prescribe calcium blockers, in particular, such as Gabapentin, which help eliminate soreness. With the ineffectiveness of this drug, anticonvulsant drugs are indicated. For the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, antidepressants are indicated, in particular, such as Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline.
If drug therapy is ineffective, blockade of symptomatic nodes, spinal cord stimulation, intercostal blockade are performed.
Folk techniques
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia at home impliesthe use of traditional medicine. These tools and techniques are used as an addition to the main therapy. There are various rather effective means, in particular, such as:
- black radish juice for grinding;
- ointment based on propolis and beeswax;
- garlic oil for grinding;
- compresses from decoctions of medicinal plants.
In addition, the affected areas can be treated with fir oil. All folk remedies can be used only after consulting a doctor, as self-medication can be very dangerous.
Other treatments
The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. As additional methods of conducting therapy, such as:
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy;
- electrostimulation;
- intervertebral blockade with special drugs;
- ice massage.
Recently, a fairly popular method of therapy is considered to be radiofrequency destruction of nerves. The procedure is performed under anesthesia and has certain contraindications, which is why it is important to consult a doctor first.
Prophylaxis
Unlike many other diseases, postherpetic neuralgia can be predicted and prevented even before the onset of the disease. Since the main predisposing factor is considered to be shinglesdeprive, which is why it is possible to prevent the onset of the disease in advance. Disease prevention means:
- strengthening immunity;
- proper nutrition with enough vitamins;
- stress relief;
- prevention and timely treatment of colds.
If you have herpes or chickenpox, you should definitely take antiviral drugs, as they will help reduce the activity of the virus, reduce the likelihood of damage to the body.
When outbreaks of infection, it is imperative to vaccinate against viral diseases. It is important to lead an active lifestyle and play sports. Physical activity helps to stimulate nerve cells and keep them intact.
Prognosis of the course of the disease
In many patients, the symptoms of the disease go away just a few weeks after the onset. However, in some individual cases, unpleasant symptoms can persist for several years and even a lifetime.
The disease itself does not pose a danger to human life and he alth, however, it causes many inconveniences. Throughout the entire period of the course of the disease, it does not progress and there is no deterioration in well-being. But at the same time, it should be noted that there is a deterioration in the quality of life of the patient.
Treatment reviews
When carrying out complex treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, patient reviews are mostly positive, since withwith the right approach, you can achieve a very good result and get rid of the existing symptoms.
Some say that in old age, medications do not always bring relief and help get rid of existing symptoms. In this case, an additional course of physiotherapy is required, as it helps to get rid of excruciating pain much faster. During therapy, antidepressants, strong painkillers are used. The Neuromidin drug has proven itself well, which helps restore the normal functioning of muscle fibers.
If postherpetic neuralgia is observed, reviews of therapy are rather 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 by using medications along with a complex of physiotherapy, as well as folk methods.
