Postherpetic neuralgia is a disease characterized by the presence of severe pain in the nerves. It occurs after the occurrence of herpes or shingles. This pathological condition can occur for a long time, about 3-6 months after complete cure for lichen.
Shingles is a disease provoked by the chickenpox virus remaining in the nerve fibers after chickenpox. Often, the virus flows only in a few nerve roots and provokes the appearance of symptoms similar to an ordinary 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, and the soreness and burning continues, moreover, in those places where there were rashes before.
The thing is that with the course of the inflammatory process, the tissues become very vulnerable, and irritation occurs suddenly, therefore, painful sensations are observed almost constantly. To cope with this disease without competent medical care is almost impossible.
Comprehensive treatment is selected purely individually, after performing diagnostics, conducting laboratory tests, as well as studying the history of the disease. It is important to distinguish it from all other types of neuralgia. Surgery is often required to get rid of severe, excruciating pains.
Who most often manifests this pathology?
Postherpetic neuralgia is manifested exclusively only in those people who have previously had chickenpox, and they have developed shingles against this background. Basically, this disease affects the elderly, immunocompromised patients, as well as those who have been diagnosed with other diseases of the internal organs.
This is due to the fact that with age, depression of all systems occurs, including the nervous and immune systems. In old age, all existing diseases are quite acute, so there is a high probability of dangerous complications.
What types of neuralgia are there?
Postherpetic neuralgia has the following stages of development:
- sharp;
- subacute;
- the course of neuralgia itself.
For this type of disease, various types of pain are characteristic, which are divided into groups such as:
- periodic;
- steady;
- allodynic.
Periodic pain is characterized by the fact that it occurs sharply, like a shock, but does not last long. Persistent pain provokes a burning sensation, pressure and is accompanied by numbness in certain areas of the skin. Allodynic - sudden pain, manifested in response to touching clothes. But irritability passes quickly enough.
Causes of the disease
Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. The chickenpox virus and lichen provokes damage to the nervous system and pathological changes in this area. As a result of this, the chemical composition of the substances secreted into the spinal cord begins to change. This can cause prolonged pain.
There are several factors that increase the likelihood of postherpetic herpes zoster neuralgia, which include, for example:
- elderly age;
- weakened immunity;
- severe rashes;
- soreness of the skin before the appearance of a rash.
The presence of chickenpox, which is quite dangerous for its complications, especially for an adult, can be considered a predisposing factor. The disease can also arise as a result of untimely treatment of herpetic rash.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia are quite characteristic, which is why the attending doctor will be able to quickly make an accurate diagnosis. The main signs of the disease include:
- sharp throbbing pain;
- acute reaction of the body to the slightest touch;
- itching and tingling;
- loss of sensitivity in a specific area of the skin;
- headache;
- muscle weakness, paralysis.
In addition, general symptoms of the course of the disease are added to these manifestations, in particular, such as:
- insomnia;
- decreased physical activity;
- loss of appetite and weight loss;
- feeling of anxiety.
Since the virus mainly affects the nerves in the back, there is a greater likelihood of intercostal neuralgia. However, rashes can be in the face area, which leads to damage to the trigeminal nerve.
How long does neuralgia last
The pains of postherpetic neuralgia last 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 when the first signs of the disease occur, consult your doctor, 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, if you have the first signs of the disease, you need to contact a neurologist or neuropathologist for a comprehensive diagnosis. The doctor initially conducts a visual examination, as a result of which the lesion area is determined. After collecting the anamnesis, an additional laboratory and instrumental diagnosis is prescribed. The main types of research include:
- blood tests;
- study of the neuropsychic region;
- analysis for the detection of herpes virus in the body;
- tomography, ultrasound.
The research results provide the most accurate picture of the course of the disease. In addition, this allows you to determine exactly how treatment should be carried out.
How is the treatment carried out?
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia should be carried out in a timely manner, since painful sensations give the patient many inconveniences. There are several different methods of therapy that can be used both in combination and separately.
In addition, various techniques must be applied to relieve pain. Be sure to wear the most comfortable clothes, as coarse, synthetic fabric can only irritate the skin and cause pain. It is important to cover the sensitive area of the skin, as some parts of the body may be more susceptible to damage than others.
To relieve pain, you can use cold compresses that are applied to the affected area.
Drug treatment
It is important to begin treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly as early as possible, since a positive result will largely depend on this. During therapy, patients are prescribed medications. It is worth noting that eliminating painful sensations with simple painkillers will not work, that is why, a qualified doctor should prescribe medications. For therapy, drugs such as:
- anticonvulsant drugs;
- antidepressants;
- patches with lidocaine;
- painkillers 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 medicines are prescribed. All medicines are prescribed exclusively by the attending doctor, and also determines the most optimal dosage.
Calcium blockers, in particular, such as gabapentin, which help eliminate soreness, are mandatory. If this drug is ineffective, anticonvulsant drugs are indicated. For the elderly and people with weakened immunity, the use of antidepressants is indicated, in particular, such as Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline.
With the ineffectiveness of drug treatment methods, blockade of symptomatic nodes, spinal cord stimulation, intercostal blockade are performed.
Folk techniques
Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia at home implies the use of traditional medicine. These tools and techniques are used as an addition to the main therapy. There are various quite effective means, in particular, such as:
- black radish juice for grinding;
- ointment based on propolis and beeswax;
- garlic butter to grind;
- 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, since self-medication can be very dangerous.
Other treatments
The effectiveness of the therapy largely depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. As additional methods of therapy, such as:
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy;
- electrical stimulation;
- intervertebral blockade with special drugs;
- massage with ice cubes.
Recently, radio-frequency destruction of nerves is considered to be a fairly popular method of conducting therapy. The procedure is performed using 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 foreseen and prevented even before the onset of the disease. Since the main predisposing factor is shingles, that is why, the occurrence of the disease can be prevented in advance. Prevention of the disease implies:
- strengthening immunity;
- proper nutrition with enough vitamins;
- stress elimination;
- prevention and timely treatment of colds.
With the occurrence of herpes or chickenpox, it is necessary to take antiviral drugs, as they will help reduce the activity of the virus, reduce the likelihood of damage to the body.
With outbreaks of infection, it is necessary to vaccinate against viral diseases. It is important to lead an active lifestyle and play sports. Physical activity helps stimulate nerve cells and maintain their integrity.
Disease prognosis
In many patients, the symptoms of the disease disappear just a few weeks after its onset. However, in some individual cases, unpleasant symptoms can persist for several years or even a lifetime.
The disease itself does not pose a danger to human life and health, 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 it is worth noting that there is a deterioration in the quality of life of the patient.
Treatment Reviews
When conducting complex treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, the patient reviews are mostly positive, since with 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 the existing symptoms. In this case, an additional course of physiotherapy is required, as it helps to get rid of excruciating pains much faster. In the course of therapy, antidepressants and strong painkillers are used. The drug “Neuromidin” has proven itself, which helps restore normal functioning of muscle fibers.
If postherpetic neuralgia is observed, reviews of the therapy are rather mixed. 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 along with a complex of physiotherapy, as well as alternative methods.