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Shingles Symptoms

Shingles is a viral disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, also known as the Chicken Pox. While these two diseases both come from the same virus, Shingles is considered to be the stronger virus. Shingles usually appears from a Chicken Pox strain that people have contaminated in the past. This recurrence possibility of Shingles makes it one of the top diseases that infect elderly people. So what can be done to prevent Shingles from appearing? What are the most effective Shingles cures?

Before knowing the best Shingles cures, one must realize first how Shingles infects people. The fact is, the Shingles virus cannot be killed. While most people believe that recovering from the Chicken Pox or Shingles means the virus is completely gone, this is not the real case. Varicella zoster lays dormant deep in the skin, waiting for the body defenses to weaken so it can resurface again. People who've contacted Chicken Pox have high chances of getting a Shingles infection, especially later in life.

There are also cases of adolescents contacting the disease, so it's not uncommon for younger people to have Shingles - especially those who have a weak immune system. One of the best Shingles cures is prevention. The key to prevent Shingles from reappearing is to live a healthy lifestyle. Be on a healthy diet and get sufficient rest and exercise to increase your body's defenses towards these diseases. However, for those who have contacted the disease already, be mindful of the symptoms so you apply the necessary Shingles cures immediately. Treatments during early stages of the disease are very helpful in order to decrease the risk of recurrence. Here are some of the top Shingles cures that can help you in dealing with this problem.

1. While taking antiviral medication does not guarantee removing the virus entirely, prescribed medications along with painkillers are very useful Shingles cures to relieve pain and dry out lesions for faster healing. As soon as you feel symptoms, such as extreme itchiness, burning pains and rashes, immediately consult your doctor for medication. Early stage medication is important to prevent further breakouts of the disease.

2. Another one of the best Shingles cures to look at is the option of vaccine immunization. This preventive measure helps thousands of people who've contacted the Chicken Pox to prevent from getting the Shingles infection. While vaccines do not guarantee 100% effectiveness, it reduces the risk of a Shingles contamination among elderly people at a rate of 70%.

3. Finally, one of the best Shingles cures around is the natural remedies that our nature offers. There are many types of natural remedies out there. From oatmeal, cayenne pepper, calamine lotion, and other topical ointments for faster drying up and pain relief.


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Virus Basics for Shingles Natural Treatment

All living organisms play host to viruses, even including bacteria. It is a certainty that you will be affected by multiple kinds of viruses throughout your lifetime. The most prevalent human viruses will show up as the common cold, flu, cold sores, chickenpox, and shingles. Less common, and more deadly, viruses are blamed for such diseases as ebola, AIDS, bird flu, SARS, and hepatitis.

Scientists are also suspicious of viruses that are associated with multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, neurological diseases, cancer, and many more. Finding the best natural shingles treatment for you depends on knowing about the basic interactions between you and your virus.

One of those interactions comes from your childhood chickenpox virus when it breaks out into a shingles later in life.

Main Factors That Influence Infections

Your body is one of the main determining factors for whether you will suffer from shingles or any other viral disease. You are exposed to viruses on a daily basis, and most of the time your immune system or other defense mechanisms help you resist infections. Otherwise, you would be sick all of the time.

Another main factor for infection is the type of virus and its response to your defenses. Shingles, for example, is caused by the chickenpox virus that has infected millions of people. Out of all of the people who have had chickenpox, only about 1-3 per thousand healthy individuals under 65 years old will get shingles. This number goes up to as high as 12 per thousand for those older than 65. Such survey data just mean that the vast majority of people who have been exposed to the virus do not develop symptoms, due to the combination of their bodies' defenses and to the response of the virus to them.

Your best strategies for fighting viral infections must be based on whatever you can do to help your own defenses and whatever you can do to address the behavior of the virus itself. Antiviral prescription drugs have side effects resulting from their suppression of the immune system, which undermines your defenses. The new shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is only approved for people over 60 years old, because clinical experiments focused only on this group. Even so, it is only effective for about half of the people who are injected with it.

Even though Zostavax has been approved in Europe as well as in the U.S., it is not widely used in such places as the U.K. even though it is licensed there. This caution is based on the long-term unknowns, the interactions with other drugs and vaccines (esp. the chickenpox vaccine) and worries about affects on those with already weakened immune systems.

Cautions About Zostavax

Follow-up studies are in progress. The long-term effectiveness and potential complications of Zostavax are unknown At this time it is not recommended for women who are pregnant, people with active untreated tuberculosis, or those with weakened immune systems. It is also not recommended for anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin or to the antibiotic neomycin, which are components of the vaccine formula.

Focus on Herpes Viruses

The chickenpox and shingles virus is known scientifically as Herpes zoster (or Varicella zoster), which means it shares many characteristics with all of the members of the herpes family of viruses. The same antiviral drugs are prescribed for shingles, cold sores, genital herpes, and Kaposi's sarcoma because they are all herpes viruses.

Herpes viruses target the same kinds of tissues (skin and nerve), although in different parts of the body. They also have the same basic appearance and genetic composition and respond to drugs and natural treatments the same way. This just means that a successful remedy against one type of herpes infection has a good chance of being successful against other types.

Natural Antivirals for Shingles Treatment

Scientific literature over the past century reveals thousands of plant natural products that have antiviral activity. This is to be expected, since plants have their own viruses to deal with. Nevertheless, plant viruses and human viruses have much in common, so hundreds of the antivirals that plants make in their own defense also inhibit human viruses.

Most of the research-level results are not practical at this time because the majority of antiviral plant compounds are not yet available in herbal formulas. However, a few herbs that show positive clinical results against shingles have been available for several years.

The classic herb against shingles is lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), which produces an oil that has anti-herpes activity for topical use as well as for internal use. It is an ingredient in several formulas, sometimes by itself and often with other oil-producing herbs. Recent research in cell cultures shows that lemon balm can overcome herpes infection in cells that have become resistant to prescription antiviral drugs.

The newest herb, and maybe the best one, against herpes is the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). It is also available in a lotion for topical application as well as in a capsule for internal use. The active ingredients in the creosote bush have general activity against several types of herpes infections as well as activity against HIV and several other types of viruses. This herb is definitely a rising star in the realm of antivirals from plants.

What About Shingles Pain?

The pain of a rash, which can sometimes last weeks or months after an outbreak has already subsided (i.e., "post-herpetic neuralgia"), responds very well to a paste of red pepper powder or to creams containing its main active ingredient, capsaicin. Capsaicin is well-known for blocking pain signals between nerves just under the skin. The only drawback to applying capsaicin-containing formulas is that it makes the burning sensation worse if the skin has been broken or is still has open blisters.

Medical researchers are finding out a lot about capsaicin vs. shingles pain. More than 70 research articles have appeared on this topic since 2002 in PubMed, the U.S. government's medical database.

Shingles

Dr. Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

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Shingles

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Shingles Symptoms

Chickenpox symptoms typically present as hundreds of fluid-filled blisters that are very itchy and can appear anywhere on the body. Chickenpox (a.k.a.Varicella) is a highly contagious viral disease and though this has long been considered a childhood disease, the same virus (herpes zoster) can cause a condition called shingles in an adult.

Chickenpox Symptoms And Causes

The typical child will present with signs of general illness a day or two before breaking out in the itchy, fluid-filled blisters typically associated with the chickenpox. These early symptoms may include a fever, headache, stomach upset or ache, or loss of appetite. During this one to two day period the child is contagious to others.

Within a couple of days, a child will break out in hundreds of small, itchy red spots and blisters. These blisters typically appear on the face, trunk or scalp first before spreading to other areas of the body. The blisters change over the next few days to form a crusty scab as new blisters continue to form, springing up in groups for a few more days. Blisters can form in the mouth, vagina and on the eyelids.

Chickenpox is caused by an infection of the Herpes zoster virus through direct contact with the fluid from a chickenpox blister or airborne particles from an infected person's cough or sneeze. After exposure to the virus, it will commonly take between 10 to 21 days for the pox to appear.

Chickenpox Diagnosis And Treatment

This viral infection is typically diagnosed through the observation of the aforementioned symptoms. If there is any question about the diagnosis, the presence of the illness can be confirmed by a physician using blood tests or a test of the blisters.

Treatment may involve simply waiting for the virus to run its course, which typically happens within 2 weeks. After exposure to the virus it will remain dormant or asleep in the person's body for a lifetime. However, the virus can re-emerge in adulthood resulting in shingles.

A child should avoid any contact with other children until the pox have crusted over and dried completely.

To help soothe itching a person can use cool compresses, calamine lotions or topical anesthetic ointments, or an oatmeal bath in lukewarm water. An oral antihistamine may also help ease the intense itching associated with this illness.

A medical doctor may use antiviral medications for those with additional risk factors such as older (adult or teen) patients or those with complicating conditions (i.e. eczema, lung conditions, weakened immune systems)

Excess heat and sweating should be avoided and the child should be discourage from scratching. Acetaminophen may be used to decrease fever and discomfort. Avoid aspirin entirely when dealing with a viral infection such as chickenpox.

The introduction of the chickenpox vaccine has made classic chickenpox in children less common. Those with the vaccine may still get a mild version of the illness and will be contagious to others.

Scarring is not common unless the pox became infected from scratching.


Take an active role in your health by learning even more about Chickenpox

You can read more about this condition and use a free tool that walks you through your symptoms and leads you to an online diagnosis. Prepare yourself before your doctor's visit and figure out what your symptoms mean using this Medical Symptom Diagnosis Tool.






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Shingles

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. In fact, the infection is similar to chickenpox but it only affects adults, generally older adults. The symptoms of shingles include a rash that generally affects one side of the body. It can appear as a long strip of bumps and rash or it can cover a small area. Either way, it generally affects older adults who, for whatever reason, have a weak immune system. While shingles can reoccur, generally people only suffer from shingles once.

As a child, you may have suffered from chickenpox. If you did, then you still have the virus in your system. It simply became dormant, but it still exists in your nerve roots. For some, the virus will stay dormant for the rest of their lives. For others, however, the virus will reactivate and cause shingles.

What are the symptoms of shingles? First, you'll have a headache. You may experience flu like symptoms, too, but you won't have a fever. Then you'll start to see a rash that is both painful and itches. Then the rash will turn into blisters that may leak fluid and then crust over. In about four weeks, these blisters will heal. Note, however, that some people will never experience a rash. Others may have a horrible rash that lasts for several weeks.

There is no shingles cure, but there are some ways of treating shingles. Antiviral medication, including steroids, can help you get over the illness. Antidepressants, topical creams, and other pain medication can all help you get over shingles more quickly and can reduce the pain. There is also a singles vaccine that can prevent older adults from ever suffering from shingles.


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Shingles Symptoms

Question:

In December 2003, on holiday abroad, I suffered a severe attack of shingles, which covered my neck, head, back, shoulder, arm, face and chest on my right side. My doctor at home told me the shingles had attacked two parts of my nervous system, when it usually only attacks one. I took several months to recover: my neck was painful and my right arm had a constant painful ache like hitting yourself with a hammer. It was also weak for about five months. Now those symptoms have returned. Is this still the effect of the original illness or is there a possibility of the shingles returning? And can you tell me what I can do to alleviate it please?

Answer:
Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster or V-Z virus, which is the same as the chickenpox virus: varicella is chickenpox. Shingles, or zoster, appears in people who have previously had chickenpox. The initial infection produces chickenpox, a common and usually mild disease of childhood where watery eruptions on the skin are preceded by sore throat and bronchitis. The virus then gets lodged in the body in ganglia, collections of nerve cells outside the spinal cord, located a long the spinal column the spinal cord. Once there, it goes into a period of hibernation, taking the minimal nutrition it needs from the nerve cells. It can lie dormant for decades without showing any symptoms or discomfort whatsoever. Years later, when immunity to the virus is lost or the immune system is weakened by illness or age, the viral cells can multiply rapidly and spread down a nerve and nerve branches until they reach the skin surface.

That is shingles, which causes degenerative changes in the skin similar to chickenpox, and can be extremely painful. The watery blisters become cloudy as white blood cells accumulate and the debris from destroyed skin is deposited. The only good thing is that when the blisters burst and dry, the hard crusts peel off without leaving a mark in the majority of cases.( The reason this virus leaves no long term scaring in most people is because the infection is restricted to the skin surface, unlike smallpox now eradicated- which attacked deeper layers of skin and left indented scars in survivors.) Generally, as your doctor says, only one nerve and its branches are involved, most frequently the one in the middle of the trunk.

The nerves in face and neck are less commonly involved. In your case, the branches of the nerves that feed the shoulder, arm and hands are also involved. I suspect that after your initial infection, the virus must have lodged in multiple ganglia including the neck area. The nerves involved are usually sensory which is why you get all sorts of sensations such as burning, pain, tingling and itching and the area of the skin feels very sensitive to touch. On rare occasions, motor nerves (those responsible for voluntary movement are involved and sufferers may experience weakness or loss of power in the arm, as you report. Even when the skin eruptions are completely gone, the pain and discomfort may continue for weeks or years, depending on the damage the virus causes as it moves a long the nerve. The more severe the attack, the longer the symptoms persist. Once the pain and burning subsides, however, you can be assured that the attack is over. In your else, the return of the pain in your neck and right arm could be nerve pain caused by problems in that area.

Here are some suggestions.
* In the initial stages of an attack, antiviral drugs are useful which your doctor will prescribe. At your stage, I would tend to focus on supporting the immune system and treating the neck and upper back.
* Avoid yeast products, coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, canned products, excess sugar.
* Make sure you sleep well to replenish your energy stores: take 1 tablet of Brento at night for one month to relax and get into the habit of good sleep.
* Boost your immune system-with one tablespoonful of Bioprash in a little milk with some Manuka Honey, daily for three months.
*Take one 15 mg tablet of zinc citrate daily for two months.
* Take a multivitamin and mineral daily for two months.
* Give yourself a neck and shoulder massage twice weekly for two months: see my website for details which you can download freely, or look in Therapeutic Yoga, the book I co-wrote with Jiwan Brar or have professional massage sessions.
* Book in for acupuncture or homeopathy with an appropriately trained and qualified practitioner. These sessions will reduce the burning pain and tingling in the arm. Your GP may be able to recommend good local practitioners; in some cases they are attached to surgeries...


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Cold sores are one of the most common infectious diseases, but also one of the most annoying & painful. This is generally caused by the herpes simplex virus which leads to an infection around the mouth area that appears as small blisters on the skin.

SYMPTOMS
The most familiar shingles symptoms are tingling, cold sores & itching, which are fairly often accompanied by burns, which in turn leads to a vesicle formation. After the vesicle has been formed, it breaks out & a scab appears between seven & fifteen days after infection. Skin lesion will stay visible for another ten days. Although the virus generally attacks the outer lip it can also affect the mouth, nose, cheeks & fingers.

PREVENTION
The main problem of the cold sore is that, after it cures, the cold sore virus remains dormant in our immune system & may re-emerge as a the body's defenses come down. It's therefore decisive to take into account a # of recommendations to prevent this disease, both in people who have never experienced it before & those who are normal hosts for the disease.

WIND & SUN
If you continuously expose yourself to sun and wind, you are more likely to get some kind of damage especially if you had suffered from cold sores in the past. It can reactivate & precipitate its onset. As sunlight triggers 1 of every 4 cases of cold sores, experts advise applying a cream or lip balm with sun protection before going outdoors, especially to avoid recurring cases.

SHARE OBJECTS
If you share everyday objects like glasses, towels, cutlery and plates, the virus will spread from one person to another. It's therefore advisable not to share those possessions while the person has the disease. Moreover, toothbrush harbour herpes virus for quite some days and again & again it will keep infecting the lip. For that reason, it's recommended to change your toothbrush, both when the disease has broken out, & when the lesion has healed.

STRESS
When you are exposed to regular situations of stress, your body defenses weaken which in turns promotes renewed cold sores. In consequence, it is strongly recommended to avoid a situation of persistent stress & practise relaxation techniques. However, any specific situation can be particularly distressing enough to trigger a recurrence of cold sores.

TREATMENT
If, despite preventive measures, the virus show up again, a series of recommendations will promote healing & help reduce pain & discomfort.

CLEANING
Hygiene is important. It's best to wash the blisters with a little water & antibacterial soap in addition to keeping hands clean at all times to prevent the virus spreading to other areas of the skin.

HABITS
There are numerous studies linking the consumption of foods rich in "arginine" (almonds, cashews, chocolate, jelly, soft drinks, beer... ) with the deterioration of the virus & its recurrence, as herpes simplex virus needs this amino acid to survive. However, "lysine" foods like seaweed, potatoes, soy & eggs, are effective in preventing the viruses & to stop their activities & promote faster healing.

ALOE VERA & MILK compacts
Pulp of Aloe vera applied topically to the affected area is a natural aid to accelerate wound healing due to its antiseptic, analgesic & regenerative properties of the skin. There are lip balms available in pharmacies with aloe vera in combination with other natural ingredients that are going to help you repair, protect & moisturize the affected area in depth, promote healing of herpes & act as a preventive measure.

In the same way, a compress of whole milk at room temperature, placed on a cold sore, relieves pain & speeds the healing process.

So, if you are a person who has suffered from shingles symptoms, it is in you best interest to always remain alert in order to act fast at the earliest sign of virus recurrence

Shingles Symptoms

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Shingles is a disease that strikes fear in anyone who hears its name. Tell someone you have shingles or have a family member with it and see them slowly edge their way towards the nearest exit. Don't feel bad though, they should. Shingles is a painful and highly contagious disease that nobody wants to have. If you think you have a shingles outbreak you should try and quarantine yourself until you can see a doctor.

How Do You Know If You Have Shinges?

First of all, a typical Shingles outbreak includes a large section of your body being covered in blisters or a rash. They are quite often itchy and painful. This is because shingles is a result of the Herpes Zoster virus moving to your skin's surface through your nervous system. You may also have headaches or a fever and feel quite tired and fatigued. Tingling and burning over parts of the body is also common along with muscle weakness and nerve pain. If you have any of these symptoms and think it may be the shingles virus, see your doctor immediately.

What Causes Shingles?

It is most common with people who have a weakened immune system or those who have been under a lot of stress. If you were exposed to Chicken Pox, the Herpes Zoster virus is the byproduct of that disease. The Herpes Zoster virus moves to the base of the spinal column and lies dormant. Once an outbreak occurs it is quite often worse than the original Chicken Pox virus. Many who have had the Chicken Pox virus never experience shingles and never will. Healthcare professionals are not sure why the disease infects some and not others.

I Have Shingles, What Should I Do?

Make sure to keep your blisters covered so they don't become infected and so you don't infect those around you. Do not itch the blisters. You can apply a cold cloth or compress to the area, this should help to alleviate the pain. Covering the area in Petroleum Jelly can also help soothe the skin. Wear loose clothing or no clothes at all if possible. Oatmeal baths can be very soothing as well.

The duration of the virus varies greatly from patient to patient. Some experience very mild discomfort and are through the disease in a very short period of time. Others either have a weaker immune system or are under more stress. This can cause the virus to last quite a bit longer. If you do have shingles, try and stay calm and stress-free if possible. Take care of the infected area and try some of the pain treatments listed above.

Shingles Symptoms

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The natural treatment of shingles, with homeopathy is likely not only to be the most effective, but also do so without suppressing your symptoms or creating side effects.

Shingles is related to chicken pox. Another name for it is herpes zoster. Typical symptoms include a skin eruption on any part of your body. But, more importantly, it is accompanied by a painful inflammation of the nerves. It is this symptom that creates so much distress.

Shingles can occur after exposure to chicken pox, accompanying some other disease such as pneumonia, tuberculosis or lymphoma or can be caused by certain drugs or injections. Sometimes it can occur after a trauma. Or there can be little apparent reason.

Blisters are the normal skin affection. And they tend to be extremely itchy and painful, making this an exhausting disease.

Normal treatment of shingles includes the topical use of calamine lotion and the internal use of pain killers. Neither of these approaches addresses the cause and are more likely to suppress your symptoms (turn them inwards) and harm your liver.

However, you do need some help with this painful malady.

Homeopathy works by stimulating your immune system, so that it can return to its job of curing you. It hasn't been able to because there is a blockage preventing it. Remove that, and away it goes again.

When the cause is not known, then your unique symptoms are used to determine the most appropriate homeopathic medicine.

The cause will be personal to you. It's what was going on in your life at the time it occurred. If you were taking a drug or had a vaccine, that may be the cause. If it came after an injury, then that is likely to be the cause.

If you can't see what the cause might have been, then the best medicine can be worked out by your symptoms.

Rhus tox is a great homeopathic medicine for shingles, when the cause was an injury. An injury that has not been energetically treated, so has made a permanent mark. Often the injury is to a joint and that may now be stiff as a result.

Whatever the cause of the shingles, if the shingles is intensely itchy and improved by the applications of very hot heat packs, or very hot water, then Rhus tox is likely to clear everything up in a short time.

Rhus tox can also be successfully used in old cases of shingles that recur periodically, or never seem to go away completely.

The treatment of shingles is most effective with a low potency (strength) of the best medicine. So Rhus tox 6c taken several times a day, as the itch and pain dictates.

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Are you one of the millions of people suffering from the pain of a herpes zoster outbreak? Herpes zoster is the wrath of chickenpox, otherwise known as shingles, that affects millions of people in the US every year. Shingles is a painful red rash that turns into blisters that leak a clear fluid when the blister breaks open.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. The varicella zoster virus (VZV) stays dormant in the body after a chickenpox infection, that usually occurs in children. If your immune system becomes compromised later in life, this could result in reactivation of the virus, resulting in a painful case of shingles zoster.

How is the immune system compromised?

Prolonged stress, anti rejection medications, as well as HIV/AIDS and chemotherapy all can be an assault on the immune system causing the virus to come alive with a vengeance. The result is extreme pain and discomfort to the victim. It can start and burning and tingling on the skin that appears to come out of nowhere for no reason. VSV travels along the nerve route, or dermatome and shows up on one side of the body. This is one way that shingles is distinguished from varicella (shingles).

Discomfort due to herpes zoster can be debilitating, requiring pain medication and antivirals to manage the symptoms. Antivirals need to be taken within 72 hours of onset of symptoms. The pain can last up to six months, and in many cases is chronic lasting for years.

Dealing with the pain:

Discomfort due to herpes zoster can be debilitating, requiring pain medication and antivirals to manage the symptoms. In order for antivirals to have an effect, the drug should be taken within 72 hours of onset of the rash.

Medication Management:

Corticosteroids for pain: Prednisone taken together with acyclovir can reduce the pain of shingles by reducing the nerve inflammation caused by active infection. It has also been shown to decrease residual nerve damage.

Analgesics: Pain can range from mild to severe and relief may be obtained from over-the-counter analgesics when paid is mild to moderate, while narcotics may be needed for more severe pain symptoms.

Lotions such as calamine are effective when applied to the seeping blisters to combat pain, and capsaicin cream when the blisters have crusted over. Topical pain patches of lidocaine (Xylocaine) and nerve blocks have also been beneficial in easing the pain related to zoster outbreaks.

Herpes Zoster Keratitis (eye shingles) is a complication of herpes zoster, and is treated with antiviral medications. This serious complication can cause temporary or permanent vision loss, and needs medical treatment right away.

Another complication of zoster is Postherpetic Neuralgia, a painful condition known to occur after the blisters have healed. This pain is extreme nerve pain and can exist for up to and more than six months. Medications that are helpful for this condition include such as topical skin applications, analgesics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.

Herpes zoster is mostly seen in people 60 years of age and older, although children and young adults get as well. Having had a prior chickenpox infection make you vulnerable for developing shingles. However, if you have never had chickenpox before and have never been vaccinated against it, avoid people who have an active shingles infection, or you could find yourself with your first case of chickenpox!

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Several years ago, my wife began to exhibit a red rash located about her neck and face. She complained that it was causing pain that did not seem to be located just at the skin level. As days wore on, the rash increased in area, and some of the areas began to turn into open lesions, that became even more painful.

We were very ignorant as to what was occurring here, but in looking up different skin conditions, shingles looked like a very suspicious culprit. So, we made an appointment with the dermatologist and anxiously awaited the time when we could get this condition arrested and healed.

The doctor explained that, yes, this indeed was a case of shingles, and while most cases of this disease will break out on the trunk, the back or abdomen, sometimes it will appear around the neck and face, as it did with my wife. The real concern with this area is that it can affect the eyes and even the brain, if left alone too long.

Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus, a relative of the "other herpes" virus we hear so much about. More specifically, it derives from the chicken pox virus, which goes dormant in our bodies when we are "healed" from the chicken pox, usually as children. The symptoms are large, patchy areas of the skin that begin as a rash, the form sores, or lesions in the skin that become very painful.

In my wife's case they were beginning to form all over her neck, face and even into her scalp. She had some beginning to form on her nose near her eyes, which became extremely painful. The doctor said that we need to take action immediately and prescribed zovirax, or acyclovir which is an antiviral medication. Sad to say, that after a month of taking the medication, there was no measurable relief, and the condition seemed to be just a little worse than before.

Needless to say, we were pretty discouraged. Not really knowing what we should do next, we fortunately had a friend recommend a naturopathic practitioner to us who had a history of offering relief to such conditions in a more natural way. We surmised that it was worth a try, so we scheduled an appointment.

The practitioner was very knowledgeable about shingles and its causes and informed us that this is the result of a very depleted immune system which enables the dormant virus to raise its ugly head and do its damage. The recommendation was to build up my wife's immune system naturally and give her body the strength to attack the disease naturally.

Her suggestions were:


Get completely off of sugar and white flour. (Cake, pie, soft drinks, all sugary desserts, white bread, etc)
Begin a program of B vitamin therapy. B vitamins are our stress vitamins, that strengthens our nervous system. These vitamins are water soluble and are depleted rapidly when we are under stress.
Drink 5 to 7 full glasses of distilled water per day to flush the system. Distilled water is the only kind our body can use, and if we don't put it in our body to begin with, the kidneys have to distill it anyway.
Substitute brown rice for other starches, such as potatoes and white rice. This is rich in B vitamins, iron, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, protein and selenium.
Drink Pau D'Arco (Tahibo) tea. This comes from the bark of a tree from Brazil and is one of the world's most powerful anti viral agents. The procedure was to take a large pinch of the bark from the jar, boil it in water, the let it simmer for about 15 minutes. She then drank one full glass of the tea, 5 times per day.

By following this treatment, my wife began to see the lesions and the pain begin to disappear in a mere 5 days. The proof was definitely before us and we certainly were excited. It is one thing to read about a treatment and relief from a condition, and it is yet another to experience it.

This treatment simply rebuilds the body's immune system so that healing can take place from within, just as nature has planned it to occur.

Shingles

David Tennant is a former high school football coach and researcher of health related issues. The use of minor pain relievers in sports is obviously necessary, and over the years a few basic remedies have stood the test of time. The cost is very small, so that any family or person can afford to purchase and have on hand the necessary product. To learn more go to: Relief for Shingles [http://relief-for-shingles.com] for more details.




Relief For Shingles

Shingles



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Shingles is derived from the Latin & French words which means belt or girdle. This signifies a broad distribution of a rash. This distribution is usually on one side of the body.

Shingles is a very painful disease categorized by the painful skin rash with fluid filled blisters on the skin. This is caused by the Herpes virus. The same virus is responsible for the causation of chickenpox which is very common disease of the childhood. This virus remains in the dormant stage in the body in nerve roots responsible for sensations in the body. So after some years due to some exciting factors like stress, cancer, deficiency diseases like AIDS, fever, organ transplant etc cause the reactivation of this virus & this results in the shingles disease. Incidence of this is about 1 in every 5 individuals who have had chickenpox once in the life. There are about 1 million people every year who suffer from shingles in US.

Causes Of Shingles

There is no specific & sure cause of shingles i.e reactivation of herpes virus. However, there are certain factors which can lead to its reactivation. These are stress, fatigue, immunodeficiency disease, radiation treatment, cancer, HIV/AIDS, skin injury etc.

Symptoms Of Shingles

Shingles often shows a typical stage. The symptoms occur in the following fashion -

1. The Rash stage - In the start, a patient may feel like they are having the normal viral infection. The symptoms are common as that of flu. These are headache, nausea, fever with chill. These symptoms are the primary symptoms before the outbreak of skin rash. If the disease is diagnosed at this stage & treated properly, the chances of further progress of the disease is lowered to a greater extend. This stage is the right time to boost the immune system. Normal treatment includes antiviral medicines. Then the rash appears about 3-5 days after this stage. This is accompanied with certain other symptoms like burning & tingling sensation, itching, numbness & burning pain.

2. The eruptive stage - This stage is characterized by the outbreak of blisters with pain. Blisters are often filled with clear fluid. The common sites of such blisters are on buttock, arms, legs, face. These usually occur on one side of the body. This stage may continue for about 2 weeks. The clear fluid in the blisters slowly gets converted into pus during this stage & leads to scabbing. This is highly contagious stage. Also patient may suffer from pain & itch. So he/she may like to wear loose clothes in order to avoid contact of anything with the eruptions.

3. This stage: Post Neuralgia - In some cases, the patients may feel continuous pain along the nerve pathway where earlier blisters were present. This pain even persists after the complete healing of blisters. This is the post neuralgia. Anti-inflammatory creams and oils can be helpful in such condition.


Kobi Aharon is a medical practitioner. He works as dermatologist in nobel hospital in Haifa. He has also written about Shingles Symptoms and Shingles Contagious




Symptoms of Shingles Disease

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Shingles are very irritating, painful, and nerve wrecking. They are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This same virus also causes chickenpox, and one in every ten people that get the chickenpox are susceptible to get shingles. People suffering from shingles usually complain of pain or burning of the muscles and skin before they get any of the other symptoms. The other symptoms that follow are flu like pains, aches, and temperature, as well as a red spotty rash. Healing shingles is rather easy, but the process until fully healed is very painful and irritating. People that suffer from it endure pain that varies from mild to severe, either way, both are uncomfortable and unpleasant and the quicker you catch it the better the chances are that you will be able to get over it faster.

As soon as you begin to feel burning in muscles or skin observe your skin carefully the following few days, and if you begin to feel flu like symptoms or begin to see the red rash make sure that you go to a doctor immediately. They will then determine if what you have is shingles or not and will prescribe the necessary medication. When they do prescribe the medication make sure that you take it just as it is written and do not stop it prior to the duration that it is prescribed. Some medications that you may be prescribed are acyclovir, valcyclovir, and famcyclovir. It is vital that these medications are taken no more than 72 hours after the rash has appeared in order to have an effect.

Healing shingles is not only about getting rid of them but also dealing with the pain and irritation. If the pain is mild, you can take over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. On the other hand, if it's severe visit your doctor and they will prescribe you narcotics such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and oxycodone.

In some cases, the pain is mostly in just one area while the rest is bearable, in this case the doctor may prescribe a cream or gel that contains ludicane which will in turn numb the area. Use calamine lotion or anti itching cream with hydrocortisone to ease itchy and irritated skin. Whatever you do, do not scratch, as it will take longer to heal plus may cause scars. Lastly, if your fever reaches over 103 degrees or you find shingles are spreading to the eyes call your doctor immediately.

While healing shingles take oatmeal baths and ensure that you keep your hands away from the effected area so you do not scratch or further irritate it. Catch it early on and within 7-14 days it will be gone.

Shingles Symptoms

Find out how to cure shingles in days by visiting this helpful Shingles cure website!




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If you are a Baby Boomer one thing that you should know is that even adults can be affected by that old childhood virus that causes millions of individuals to develop chicken pox. You see once you have battled this disease your body forces the virus into submission but while it may lie dormant for many years the chicken pox/shingles virus can still be resurrected.

Age, stress and poor physical health are all factors that can lower your immune system's ability to contain this shingles virus completely. In this case the virus could once again attack but this time instead of the herpes zoster virus creating an annoying case of chicken pox it will target your body with a painful and debilitating disease known as Shingles.

Herpes zoster, or Shingles, is caused by a virus and there are no immunizations that can prevent this outbreak from occurring. Shingles virus attacks the nerve endings and this is what causes such intense pain for people who develop this disease.

The interesting thing about shingles symptoms is the uni-lateral appearance. Shingles symptoms such as rash, pustules, draining sores and pain on just one side of a person's body. When the rash first appears it usually forms a band that can be seen on either the left or right side of your body, but it does not cross over the middle of your body and travel to the opposite side.

It is primarily older people who develop shingles virus, but sometimes younger adults with weakened immune systems can also develop this disease. Stress, physical illness, immune disorders, and even some medications can make people more prone to shingles. No one can determine who will, or will not, develop a case of shingles virus. However, the good news is that almost everyone who does suffer with this disease will recover and will not have to deal with the disease again in the future. The bad news is that there are an unfortunate few cases where people have had shingles reappear but at least any future outbreaks will not be as severe as the original one was.

These are the most common shingles symptoms that you should know.

* Pain or extreme discomfort (that is not related to arthritis or other ailments) that is present on just the left or right side of your face, torso or body. This symptom is especially significant if it is accompanied by sensitivity to light, chills, and a headache.

* Skin that is intensely tingling, prickling or itching for no apparent reason, again on just one side of your body.

* Another shingles symptom is the sudden development of burning or stabbing pain on one side of your body. This pain may occur for just a short period of time or you might notice that it lasts for a while. This type of "shingles related" pain often occurs in the face, arm, back, leg, hip or shoulder.

* The inflammation and rash associated with shingles virus outbreaks usually appears within several days of the itching, although it could take 1-3 weeks for the rash to appear.

* Small fluid filled pustules that resemble blisters will appear on your body about 3-5 days after the rash is first seen. These blistery formations will generally form a band or a small line on some area of your body, but only be on the right or left side.

* It will take a few days for the blisters caused by shingles virus to open and begin to drain. Then they will form crusts and scabs as the first healing stages begin. It will take 2-5 weeks for all traces of your shingles virus to completely disappear. Much like with the chicken pox you suffered from as a child, shingles virus can also cause permanent or semi-permanent scarring of the skin.

If you suspect that you are being affected by a shingles virus outbreak you need to contact your physician or health care provider as soon as possible. There are now certain antiviral medications that can shorten the outbreak and even lessen the severity of the shingles symptoms if you begin to take them early enough.

Because the pustules will open and begin to drain at some point and time it is possible for a secondary bacterial infection (such as staph) to develop. You need to practice good hygiene if you have shingles so that your chances of a secondary skin infection are reduced.

Signs of a skin infection would include spiking fevers, pus and foul drainage, and increased redness and inflammation. Doctors can prescribe skin ointments and antibiotics to help control this type of problem if is should occur.

Shingles on the facial area will often spread to the eyes where the disease can create corneal scarring. You need to make sure that you are seen by an ophthalmologist so this danger can be prevented.

A shingles virus rash that lingers for more than 7-10 days without any noticeable improvement must be addressed immediately to prevent the possibility of long term nerve damage.

Although most doctors can prescribe medication to help control the pain caused by shingles it is difficult to completely eliminate all of the discomfort because of the nerve involvement. Do ask you physician for help if you have severe pain because in some instances nerve block therapy can be performed.

Some people will develop post herpetic neuralgic pain. This is a nerve induced pain that is still present a month after a shingles virus outbreak. Approximately 15% of all people with shingles will develop some degree of post herpetic neuralgia. This is more likely to occur in individuals who are over the age of 50, or have underlying health concerns such as HIV, diabetes or renal disease. It has been noted that this type of pain is more commonly seen in those who experienced extreme instances of skin rash and pain during their outbreak of shingles virus.

Shingles

Alan is a contributing writer for http://www.the-baby-boomers-webplace.com. A webplace where Baby Boomers can come together and discuss the issues facing our generation as well as reminisce about the events, people, music, books, movies and etc. that shaped our lives. Come join us at http://www.the-baby-boomers-webplace.com.




Shingles - The Adult Chicken Pox

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The process of aging is associated with problems like loss of cognitive skills and memory loss. Dementia is a medical condition in which the reasoning powers and mental abilities of person starts declining. This type of progressive ailment adversely affects brain and leads to poor judgment and memory lapses. Explore the article below to know more about dementia.

Usually dementia is found in aging people but now-a-days this ailment can be easily seen in young people too. Various ailments like Alzheimer, pick disease and Parkinson's disease can cause dementia in people. Brain infections, strokes, head injuries and brain tumors can also result into dementia. Moreover the deficiency of nutrients in body can cause the problem of dementia.

In dementia, a person may forget his or her names, routine tasks and appointments. These are some of the initial symptoms which should be checked by doctor. In advanced stages of dementia, a person may forget tasks that he performs regularly. Dementia can lead to partial or complete memory loss in a person. Mood swings are also one of the symptoms of dementia in which a person can show extreme personality changes, unusual and abnormal behavior characteristics. Dementia ailment can also badly affect the judgmental powers of a person. A person can suffer from confusion and disorientation.

It is very important to treat dementia on time, otherwise it can lead to medical complications like seizure, hallucinations and a person might have to depend completely on the other person even for simple daily activities.


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Causes and Symptoms of Dementia

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Shingles

"Shingles" is the name of the painful rash many people get as they get older and their immunity wanes. The rash is characterized by tiny blisters on red skin that usually occurs on one side of the body in a band-like distribution. The rash is often preceded by a 1-2 day period of intense, burning, sharp pain in the area where the rash will develop. Many people will mistake the pain as pain from muscle strain, heart attack (angina), gallbladder attack, appendicitis or kidney stones. Once the rash develops, the blisters will eventually dry up and the redness will disappear in approximately 10-14 days. The pain of shingles may last as long as the rash is present, may disappear once the rash appears, or may persist after the rash is gone. When the pain persists longer than 4 weeks after the rash is healed, the pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia. This pain can be very debilitating. It is often described as a constant burning, knife-like, throbbing, or aching sensation. It adversely affects people's ability to move, think and sleep. Post-herpetic neuralgia can lead to depression because the pain and condition is not curable; available medicines may decrease the severity of pain periodically.

The virus that causes "shingles" is the herpes virus responsible for chickenpox. One someone contracts chickenpox, the virus travels along nerves and becomes dormant in the dorsal root (sensory) ganglia of the spinal cord. When the body is "stressed", either by an illness, medication, emotional stressor, or physical trauma, the virus may be re-activated and travel along a nerve supplying a dermatome of skin and cause pain and a rash. Once someone experiences shingles (also known as herpes zoster,) the virus becomes dormant again. Unfortunately, the virus may re-activate more than once during a person's lifetime. It may affect more than one dermatome, causing pain and rash in different areas of the body. When shingles occurs in specific facial nerves, it may cause blindness, deafness and diminished taste sensation.

The treatment of shingles begins with prompt and accurate diagnosis of herpes zoster. When anti-viral medications, such as acyclovir and famcyclovir, are started during the first 72 hrs of the illness and continued to for 7-10 days, the duration and severity of rash will be reduced. These medications will not stop the pain or keep the rash from forming. They will also not prevent post-herpetic neuralgia from developing. Tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil), topical anesthetics (lidocaine or capsaicin) and/or narcotic analgesics can be used to limit the pain. If post-herpetic neuralgia develops, antidepressant, anti-seizure, topical anesthetics and nerve blocks may be used to lessen the pain. The pain of post-herpetic neuralgia often requires the use of many treatment modalities, including chronic pain counseling and biofeedback, to help people cope with this chronic condition.

The best way to prevent herpes zoster from developing is keeping the immune system healthy and strong.


Roger Hutchison offers more information on how to boost the immune system at GreatImmunity.com. There you will be able to download a free report on immune system health and learn more about how natural, herbal supplements can improve your overall health.

You may also get a complementary copy of the immune health report by sending a blank email message to: immunehealth@aweber.com




Shingles-What It Is and Treatment Options




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If you find yourself suffering from shingles, or adult chicken pox, as the disease is often known, you're probably suffering from pain, itching, fever, and other symptoms. This means you're probably searching everywhere for a shingles cure. Well, you're in for some bad news: just like chicken pox, there is no shingles cure.

There are, however, several different treatments and medications you can use to shorten the illness and help relieve the pain, itching, and other symptoms. These include antiviral medications that reduce the duration of the illness, some topical creams to relieve the itching and pain, and some pain medications to reduce the fever.

Your doctor should prescribe some antiviral medication once he or she diagnoses you with shingles. Starting on this medication within the first couple of days of seeing shingles will lower your chances of any complications. It's very important to treat shingles as soon as possible because if you don't, the illness can become more serious. The more serious it gets, the more shingles is resistant to treatments. You should take your antiviral medication in conjunction with over the counter pain relievers, corticosteroids, and topical creams. Using all four medications will greatly help reduce the symptoms of shingles.

These initial forms of treatment should be enough to get rid of the infection. However, if you continue to experience pain for a month or so after the rash has gone, you may have postherpetic neuralgia. It can actually result in pain for years, and it affects between ten and fifteen percent of everyone who has shingles. Again, there is no cure for postherpetic neuralgia, but there are treatments, including antidepressant medication, topical creams, anticonvulsant medication, and pain killers like codeine.

If your shingles complications get even worse, your doctor may have to perform surgery or may prescribe more powerful antibiotics and antiviral medication depending on the symptoms.


If you want to learn more about the treatment for shingles, or indeed the symptoms of shingles, click on one of the links and visit our site for a more in-depth read.




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Research has confirmed that treating Shingles effectively can result in the condition being cured in less than one week. Given properly followed medication and diet, a cure for Shingles can really be that fast. Medical doctors advise taking anesthetics and over the counter medications in treating the virus. Breakout lesions are usually visible days after Shingles symptoms appear.

While medications are useful in healing a breakout, medications and prescriptions are not the only effective cure for Shingles. It is a known fact that Shingles is contagious, caused by the same virus causing the Chicken Pox. This potent virus is known for its ability to resurface even after recovery, which is why it is important to apply a cure for Shingles that is not only effective, but should also be able to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Treating Shingles can be a long journey because of its high recurrence possibility, especially as a prescription based treatment, as it takes a longer time for Shingles to heal. There is however, a natural cure for Shingles that can treat the virus for shorter days and reduce the risk of recurrence. But before you apply a treatment for Shingles, you must know the symptoms and how to deal with it. Remember, the early stages of the condition are the easiest to cure since the virus has not infected larger areas of the body, which makes a treatment application much easier.

When your family has a history of Shingles, or you have close relatives infected by the disease, be aware of the following symptoms: headaches, moderate fever, strong nerve pain, chills, skin sensitivity, itchiness, rash and blisters, exhaustion/fatigue and sensitivity to light. These symptoms can also be a sign of other diseases, so make sure to consult your doctor for confirmation.

While most people depend on a prescription to treat the disease, a natural cure for Shingles is the best alternative if you want faster relief and recovery. Some of the natural options as a cure for Shingles include calamine lotion to reduce the burning pain or itchiness from the breakout. The red-lesions, which look like rashes, are effectively dried up by calamine lotion. This process reduces skin inflammation since the urge to scratch the breakout lesions are reduced.

Another cure for Shingles is the oatmeal paste. The simple process of mixing water with oatmeal and applying it to the affected areas does wonders in addressing the painful and itchy symptoms of Shingles. By using oatmeal paste, chances of further skin infection are greatly reduced. While undergoing a steady treatment to cure Shingles, it is important for every patient to have a healthy balanced diet to boost their immune system and reduce the possibility of recurrence in the future.


To find out the top cure for Shingles, check out this website on how to cure Shingles within days!




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A lot of people contract the herpes zoster virus or the chickenpox while they are still younger. Shingles is a disease that involves the "reactivation" of the virus. The symptoms of the illness include sensitivity to light, flu-like symptoms minus the fever and headache. Other signs of shingles include red, itchy rashes, scabs and blisters. The illness comes with different stages of shingles.

There are 3 known stages of shingles and for each phase, the symptoms also vary. There could be times when health care workers mistake shingles for flu or a cold. In rare cases, it is also even mistaken as symptoms of heart attack.

Prodromal

During the beginning part of the condition, tickling, pain, burning, numbness and tingling may be experienced on some areas of the body before the rashes appear. In other cases, flu-like symptoms are also experienced along with stomachache, swelling of the lymph nodes and chills.

Active or Eruptive

During these different phases, the first strips or bands of rash will show on the body and usually appears along one side of the body. Typical areas include the face and the torso. After some time, the rash will then become blisters. At first, the fluid inside blisters may look clear but turns cloudy after 3 to 4 weeks. There is severe discomfort and excruciating pain that comes with the rashes. After around 5 days, the blisters will start to crust. During this stage of shingles, the rashes will disappear as short as 2 weeks and as long as 4 weeks.

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

This stage is where chronic pain is experienced for severe shingles cases. This last phase is characterized by extreme pain, stabbing, persistent pain, burning and intense sensitivity to touch which can be experienced for as long as 30 days.

Warning

The most infectious stages of shingles is the active or eruptive phase. This is the time when a person who is suffering with shingles gains the biggest chance or contracting it to others who have never experienced chicken pox in their life or those people who have a weak immune system. The risk of infection increases when the blisters begin breaking and oozing with fluid. In addition to that, it is also possible that the shingles virus can find their way into a person's eyes which may cause permanent damage. The illness does not really need hospitalization but it needs some ways to control the pain and to prevent further infection and complications.

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From Chickenpox to Shingles - Are You at Risk?

Shingles



Shingles

Many of my patients are over the age of 50 and as a result may have more skin related conditions than people who are younger. One such condition that seems to be more common in older people is Shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is estimated that half the population who live to the age of 85 will experience shingles at some point in their lives.

Age is not the only factor influencing the onset of shingles; those with weakened immune systems are also at risk. Cancer, prolonged use of steroids, HIV/Aids, and drugs designed to prevent rejection of transplanted organs are a few ways in which your immune system may be lowered.

Although shingles is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. I encourage my patients to become familiar with the symptoms and signs of shingles because early treatment can help shorten the infection and lessen the chance of complications.

Usually shingles affects only a small section of your body and most often appears as a band of blisters that wraps around the middle of your back to your chest. It can sometimes occur around one eye or on one side of the neck or face. The first symptom is pain, which in some cases is so intense it can be mistaken for another problem affecting your heart, lungs, or kidneys. Other signs include burning, numbness or tingling followed by a red rash. Eventually you develop blisters that fill with fluid, break open and crust over. When the blisters begin to heal they can cause itching.

What Do Chickenpox Have to Do with Shingles?

Most people don't realize that the varicella-zoster virus; the same virus that causes chickenpox is responsible for shingles. If you have had chickenpox as a child the virus is still there, sleeping in the nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. It may not show up until years later when it reactivates as shingles. No one really knows why the virus wakes up but it is usually linked to stress, aging, or a weakened immune system. When it becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chicken pox.

The varicella-zoster virus is part of the same group of herpes viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Even though varicella-zoster is considered part of this group, it is not to be confused with the virus responsible for cold sores or genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease.

If you have never had the chickenpox virus or vaccine, you are at risk of contracting shingles from someone who has the virus. This transmittance usually occurs through direct contact with open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, the person will develop chickenpox not shingles. It is not contagious however, to anyone who has had the virus at some time in their life.

It is important to note that chickenpox can be highly dangerous to certain groups of people who might be more susceptible than others such as someone with a weak immune system, newborns, and pregnant women. You are still contagious until your shingles blisters scab over so be sure to avoid physical contact with anyone, especially those mentioned here.

You Have Shingles

Most of the time shingles will go away on its own but you may need treatment to manage your pain. There is a medicine that is often prescribed that fights the virus called antiviral. This drug helps reduce pain and complications as well as shorten the course of the virus.

When you begin to feel pain or burning, and before blisters appear, you should start taking medication within a 24 hour period. The medication is usually taken orally, in pill form, and in larger doses than prescribed for herpes simplex. Depending upon the severity of your case, your doctor may prescribe strong anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone to reduce swelling. Other medications include antihistamines, over the counter pain medication, and topical creams.

There are also things you can do at home to relieve your discomfort:

• Apply cool wet compresses to reduce pain.

• Take soothing baths such as colloidal oatmeal or starch baths to relieve itching.

• Apply lotions such as calamine.

• Rest in bed until your fever goes down.

• Keep skin clean and do not reuse contaminated items.

• Items that are non-disposable should be disinfected and/or washed in boiling water before reusing.

• Cover the rash with a dressing or clothing to decrease the risk of spreading the infection to others.

• Avoid contact with other people while lesions are oozing to prevent infection from spreading especially to anyone in the high risk category.

Is Prevention Possible?

There are a couple of methods that are currently being used to reduce the incidence of shingles.

1. VZV vaccine or chickenpox vaccine may decrease the incidence of shingles by boosting the immune system's ability to fight off chickenpox or keep the virus inactive. This is effective about 79%-90% of the time and is usually given to children. After about 15-20 years the immunity may begin to decline so a booster for use in adults is under investigation for future prevention.

2. Zostavax, a new vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 60 and older by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data shows that the vaccine prevents about 51% of shingles cases and is most effective in the 60-69 age groups.1

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned in this article be sure to call your health care provider, particularly if you are subject to a weakened immune system. Early detection will make the difference in the course shingles will take and the severity of your pain. Don't delay in getting the care you need to prevent or treat this very painful virus from happening to you.


Jay Brachfeld, M.D.

www.vitalmaxvitamins.com




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Roof Solar Shingles

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Did you know that solar shingles looking like real asphalt shingles are now available in the market? Yes, they look exactly like your asphalt shingles having the same size and the same matte finish! The only difference is that they are actually covered with very thin films of solar cells which collect sunlight and give you the renewable source of energy you need. Cool, right?

The think film technology of these solar shingles is a great innovation because aside from looking like your usual shingles, they will not require you to set up a huge structure on your roof just to support the solar panels. What a great way to amass the same amount of sun energy without having to be visually intrusive! Why would you want a large array of panels on your roof telling everyone you are using solar energy when you can simply be discreet and content about it? Besides, having large panels are not the nicest sight in the neighborhood.

There are homeowner associations which prohibit building solar panel arrays on a back yard or a rooftop. If yours is one of them, solar shingles are definitely perfect for you. Now, if they are open to negotiations, don't you think it would be easier to convince them that you are setting up these sunlight-collecting shingles instead of huge panels? And even if your homeowner association allows you to set up huge solar energy structures, don't you think solar shingles are way cooler? They look like your normal roof and won't have to eat up any space at the backyard.

Basically, these shingles work just like the large solar panel systems. They catch sunlight by photovoltaic cells and convert it into energy which you can then use at home. The only difference is that the materials used in creating these shingles are smaller. The advancements in solar technology have allowed size reduction of cells without having to affect the amount of energy that the solar panel system produces. The shingle-looking cells can make the same quantity of energy as their large counterparts. They can also be used off-grid or otherwise. If you want them to be self-contained, they can be utilized off-grid. If you want them to be tied to the grid, they can also work as such.

Aside from the utter visual appeal and compactness, another great thing about these solar shingles is they are replaceable just as easy as ordinary shingles. These devices are expected to last for more than two decades (depending on their makers) and are created to withstand the harshest of weather including hails. However, when they need some replacement, they can be replaced just like your conventional shingles.

Now, although solar shingles sounds all good and fascinating, you must do your own research about them too. You also should check on nearest suppliers as well as find a reliable installer who knows the product well. Finding manufacturers and suppliers for these sun shingles online would be a good place to start because they can give information about the available products and services in your area.


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