"The snake wraps around the waist", most people can feel the twisted pain to a greater or lesser extent. This disease, like an invisible snake, is tightly wrapped around one side of the patient's body and never relaxes easily.
So how can this terrifying "snake wrapped around the waist" deal with this disease and get life back on track?
1. The Painful Truth of "Snake Wrapped Around the Waist": A Medical Interpretation of Herpes Zoster
Herpes zoster, the pain hidden behind the name, can only be deeply experienced by those who have experienced it. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is not an ordinary virus, it will lie dormant in the human body for many years, and when the body's immunity declines, it is like a cheetah that has seized the opportunity, and suddenly attacked.
The patches of red spots and blisters on the skin not only make people unbearable to look at, not to mention the pain like fire, electric shock, and knife cuts.
The virus moves along nerve pathways within nerve fibers, causing pain that is often persistent, and in some people it lasts for months or even years.
This kind of pain is not only a physical torture, but also a great mental test. The appearance of shingles is often an alarm from the body, reminding us that the decline of immunity is not a trivial matter.
2. People with a high incidence of herpes zoster
When you think of people with a high incidence of shingles, you may think of the elderly, and yes, they are indeed one of the most common people. But that doesn't mean young people can sit back and relax. In fact, individuals who have been infected with chickenpox in the past are likely to have a recurrence with weakened immunity.
Research data show that in the group of patients with shingles, about 12.1% of them also have visceral tumors, while in the group over 51 years of age, this proportion rises to 18%.
This data is undoubtedly alarming, and it tells us that shingles is not just a matter of pain, it can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
While age is a risk factor that cannot be ignored, it should not be overlooked as a result. Long-term stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, or anything else that can lead to weakened immunity can be a catalyst for a shingles flare-up.
That's why we always emphasize maintaining a healthy lifestyle, because it's directly related to our immunity, which affects whether or not we will be the next victim of the "snake around the waist".
3. Unbearable pain: the treatment of shingles
Faced with the severe pain of shingles, patients and doctors alike are looking for more effective ways to relieve it. In the treatment of herpes zoster, the primary goal is to control the virus, reduce symptoms, minimize the duration of the disease, and prevent complications, especially the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia.
At present, antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, valasiclovir and famicelovir are the main means of treating herpes zoster, which can effectively block viral replication, reduce skin lesions, and shorten the course of the disease. However, for optimal efficacy, antiviral therapy should be started early in the disease.
In addition to antiviral therapy, pain control is equally important. Commonly used pain relievers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids.
For some people, these medications may be just a drop in the bucket, so doctors may consider neuroleptic or antidepressant medications, which have been shown to reduce neuralgia to some extent.
In addition, topical capsaicin cream is also used to reduce pain, and it works by reducing the sensitivity of pain nerve endings.
Another important aspect of treating shingles is psychological support. Long-term pain can have a serious impact on the patient's psychological state, and anxiety and depression are common in these patients.
Psychological counseling and support, as well as pain management education, are essential to improve patients' quality of life.
4. Immunity is the key: enhance resistance to prevent the recurrence of herpes zoster
The treatment of shingles is not only a treatment of symptoms, but more importantly, it is more important to enhance the body's immunity and prevent the reactivation of the virus.
Simple habits in life, such as getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising moderately, can be effective in boosting immunity. In addition, avoiding excessive stress and anxiety and maintaining a good attitude are also aspects that cannot be ignored to enhance immunity.
Proper nutrient intake is essential to boost immune function. Trace elements such as vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system.
Some foods, such as deep-sea fish, nuts and fresh fruits and vegetables, are rich in these nutrients and should be included in the daily diet.
Vaccination has also shown a positive effect in preventing the onset and recurrence of shingles. The shingles vaccine significantly reduces the incidence of herpes zoster, especially in adults over the age of 50.
However, the protective effect of vaccines may wane over time, so timely booster immunization is also an important strategy to prevent recurrence.
When it comes to preventing shingles, we can't ignore the impact of mental health. Long-term psychological stress can lead to weakened immunity and increase the risk of shingles recurrence.
Therefore, learning to manage stress and relieve psychological stress through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques is equally important to boost immunity and prevent the recurrence of shingles.
5. New trends in treatment: the latest research progress of herpes zoster
In recent years, researchers have made a series of breakthroughs at the intersection of virology, immunology and neuropathology.
The research and development of new drugs, especially the exploration of molecular targets targeting the mechanism of viral replication, provides a new direction for the treatment of herpes zoster. For example, some research has focused on the regulatory mechanisms of the incubation period of the virus in an attempt to develop drugs that can prevent the resurgence of the virus.
In addition, the concept of gene therapy has also come to the fore in the treatment of shingles.
Scientists are trying to block viral replication and transmission by using gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to precisely clip out key fragments of viral DNA. Although these studies are still in their early stages, they show great potential for the treatment of shingles.
In clinical practice, there is also a new understanding and approach to the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. The use of neuromodulators, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and spinal cord stimulation, has shown positive results in some patients with refractory pain. These methods help relieve long-term pain symptoms by adjusting the way the nervous system conducts conduction.
summary
Herpes zoster, a disease known as the "snake around the waist", has caused untold suffering to countless patients. Prevention is better than cure. Boosting an individual's immunity, maintaining good mental health, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the keys to preventing shingles.
At the same time, the understanding and support of society and the improvement of the medical system are also important factors to help patients overcome diseases and regain a healthy life. Making the "snake around the waist" is no longer a nightmare of life, but a challenge that can be controlled and healed.