Shingles – a name that may not be unfamiliar to many, and once it strikes, the excruciating pain can leave a lasting impression for life. The pain feels like being burned by flames, pricked by needles, or sliced by sharp blades, severely affecting the quality of life. It has many local names, such as "snake sore," "spider sore," and "snake coil sore," vividly depicting its appearance and the suffering it causes.

If you have shingles, don’t tough it out. Pain specialists can help you avoid postherpetic neuralgia.

 

Why is shingles so painful?

The main pathological feature of shingles is the virus "invading" the nerve ganglia, causing nerve inflammation and swelling, which leads to intense nerve pain. This pain often begins before the rash appears or occurs simultaneously with the rash, presenting as a burning sensation, tingling, electric shock-like pain, or dull ache. For elderly or frail patients, the pain can be even more severe and last longer, significantly impairing the patient's quality of life.

Shingles pain, don’t just endure it!

Some people believe "the pain of shingles is temporary, and it will go away once the rash subsides!"

However, in reality, while the rash may have a tendency to heal on its own, the pain does not. The pain originates from the damage caused by the shingles virus to the nerves, and this damage is persistent and difficult to repair on its own. Even if conventional treatments, such as antiviral therapy, are administered at the clinic, if the pain remains significant, it’s important to seek professional help from a pain specialist immediately. Delaying treatment and waiting for the pain to subside on its own will not only fail to resolve the issue but may also result in missing the optimal treatment window, leaving the pain to trouble the patient long-term.

How does the pain specialist treat shingles?

The treatment for shingles aims to relieve pain, shorten the duration of the rash, and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Once shingles-related nerve pain occurs, early and standardized comprehensive treatment is crucial.

Pain specialists offer a wide range of treatment options:

● Antiviral treatment, ideally used within 72 hours after the rash appears

● Pain relief medications, including nerve pain treatments

● Nerve block injections

● Nerve pulse radiofrequency therapy

● Spinal cord stimulation

● Peripheral nerve electrical stimulation

● Intrathecal drug analgesia

● Immunotherapy, etc.

Avoid shingles, prevention is better than treatment

For shingles, prevention is even more important than treatment. We can strengthen our defenses and stay away from shingles by doing the following:

Adjusting lifestyle to boost immune function:

Maintain sufficient sleep to allow the body to fully rest and repair at night; have a balanced diet to provide rich nutrients that support the body; engage in moderate exercise to enhance metabolism and immune function.

 

图片来源：pixabay

 

Avoid excessive fatigue and mental stress

In the fast-paced life, we are often overwhelmed by the pressures of work and daily life. However, excessive fatigue and mental stress are catalysts for shingles. It is important to learn to balance work and life, allowing enough time for rest and relaxation, so that the body and mind can fully unwind. This will effectively help prevent the occurrence of shingles.

Vaccination: The "ultimate weapon" for prevention

Vaccination is the "ultimate weapon" for preventing shingles. It creates a strong defense in our body, preventing the virus from invading easily. Especially for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, vaccination is a key measure for preventing shingles.

图片来源：pixabay

 

Although shingles is distressing, as long as we understand it, take preventive measures, and treat it properly, we can better avoid it! If you unfortunately develop shingles, it is recommended to visit the pain clinic promptly. In addition to basic medication treatments, pain clinics also offer specialized therapies that can quickly and effectively relieve pain and prevent or reduce the occurrence of post-herpetic neuralgia.

 

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