Ayurvedic Treatment for Post Herpetic Neuralgia works in different systems and clears the toxins accumulated in the systems. Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. The condition affects nerve fibres and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear. The chickenpox (herpes zoster) virus causes shingles. The risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia gets more with age, it is manifested mostly in people older than 60. There’s no cure, but treatments can ease symptoms. In most cases, postherpetic neuralgia gets better over time. Signs & symptoms It is generally limited to the area of skin where the shingles outbreak first occurred — most commonly in a band around the trunk, usually on one side of the body. Signs and symptoms might include: Pain that lasts for more than three months after the shingles rash has been cured. The associated pain is described as burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep & aching. Sensitivity even to light and soft touch. People are not able to suffer even the touch of clothing on the affected skin (allodynia). In rare cases, an itchy feeling or numbness. Causes It is a complication after an attack of shingles. Greater risk for postherpetic neuralgia is present if:
Pathophysiology Varicella-Zoster Virus is a highly contagious DNA virus that remains latent within the sensory ganglia following the resolution of chickenpox, which usually occurs during childhood. During Herpes Zoster, Varicella Zoster Virus is reactivated, travels back along the affected neurons away from the sensory ganglia, and propagates in the epidermis. A hallmark of Herpes Zoster is that it is typically unilateral (i.e., not crossing the midline), and in most cases, only a single dermatome is affected. The erythematous maculopapular Herpes Zoster rash is usually accompanied by pain and dysesthesia. This rash develops into clear vesicles similar to the ones in chickenpox. Then, within around two days, pustules form, which then ulcerate, and finally scab over. Scabs fall off in 2–3 weeks and scarring may occur. Post Herpetic Neuralgia occurs in the same dermatomes as the Herpes Zoster rash and stems from damage to peripheral and central neurons that may be a by-product of the immune/inflammatory response that accompanied Varicella-Zoster Virus reactivation and migration. When damaged, peripheral and central nerve fibres may develop a lower threshold for action potentials, discharge spontaneously, and exhibit disproportionate responses to stimuli, resulting in peripheral sensitization and pain without painful stimuli (allodynia) Patients with PHN experience three major types of pain: 1) constant pain without a stimulus (often described as burning, aching, or throbbing), 2) intermittent pain without a stimulus (often described as stabbing, shooting, or electric shock-like), and 3) pain brought on by a stimulus but is disproportionate to the stimulus (hyperalgesia) enduring for at least 3 months after healing of the Herpes Zoster-related skin rash. In addition, patients may experience a variety of abnormal sensations (dysesthesias or paraesthesia’s). Diagnosis Physical examination Treatments No single treatment relieves postherpetic neuralgia for everyone. Mostly, a combination of treatments is needed to reduce the pain. Lidocaine skin patches – small patches like bandages that contain the topical pain-relieving medication lidocaine. The patches are applied, directly to painful skin to deliver temporary relief. Capsaicin skin patch – It uses a patch with a numbing medication on the affected area. Anticonvulsants – Certain anti-seizure medications, including gabapentin and pregabalin, can lessen the pain of postherpetic neuralgia. These medicines have remarkable side effects too. Antidepressants – Certain antidepressants, such as nortriptyline, amitriptyline, duloxetine and venlafaxine, affect key brain chemicals that play a role in both depression and how the body interprets pain. Antidepressants in lower dosage are used effectively in postherpetic neuralgia Common side effects of these medications include drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness and weight gain. Opioid painkillers – in severe cases. It is important to get a prescription because opioids can produce adverse effects like dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and constipation. Steroid injections Prognosis The prognosis is good in most of the cases but they may have to take pain medications for about one to three months. For others, the prognosis is fair to poor if the pain is severe, lasts longer than three months, or markedly reduces their quality of life. Complications Chronic pain and associated discomforts like
Disease & Ayurveda Visarpa Nidana Not mentioned separately. Causative factors of Sopha can cause the same Vidaahi food items Purvaaroopa Not mentioned. Samprapti When the vitiated one, two or three doshas get lodged inside or outside of the body, spread very fast and causes inflammation. In baahyavisarpa, the inflammation affects skin and nerves leading to severe pain and other discomforts. Lakshana Sopha – swelling Sphurana – throbbing Nistoda – piercing pain Bheda – stabbing pain Arthi – severe pain Harsha – numbness Divisions
Prognosis Krichhrasadhyam- Difficult to manage. Chikithsa Treatment of visarpa should start with Langhana (fasting) and Rookshana (drying) therapies. After proper aamapaachana, bloodletting should be done to clean the circulation. After bloodletting, Vamana and virechana are indicated. In cases of Visarpa, snehana (use of oils/fats) therapies are contra indicated. Samana Lepanam with Rookshana dravyas Parisheka with soolahara-rooksha & seethadravyas Sodhana Raktamokshanam Vamanam Virechanam Commonly used medicines Drakshadi kashayam Guduchyadi kashayam Naalpaamaradi kwatham Naalpaamarachoornalepam Brands available AVS Kottakal AVP Coimbatore SNA oushadhasala Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala Home remedies Shingles cause severe pain & discomforts which cannot be managed at home. No home remedy is proven to cure shingles. Following herbs may help to lessen the suffering. Cold compresses Essential oils Aloe vera Witch hazel Oatmeal Turmeric paste Diet
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion. Spicy and hot food items Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire) Milk and milk products – increase kapha, obstruct channels and obesity Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
Light meals and easily digestible foods Gooseberry, pomegranate, grapes etc. Green gram, soups, food items with cold potency. Freshly cooked and warm food processed with minimal spices. Behaviour: Protect yourself from the hot climate. Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust. Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule. Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Yoga Exercise is not advised in cases with severe pain and discomforts. Regular stretching and mild cardio exercises are advised in mild cases. Also, specific yogacharya including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended. Regular exercise helps improve the bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health. Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system. Yoga for neuropathy Pavanamuktasana Nadisudhi pranayama Bhujangasana Simple exercises for lungs and heart health All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only. Research articles https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5036669/ Author information
Licensed Ayurvedic doctor focused on providing individual Ayurvedic consultation services. Specialized in work related stress, Womens’ issues, diabetes, Pecos, arthritis, male and female sexual problems and infertility. Interested in academic work as well. Now working with www.ayurvedaforall.com as senior consultant, Ayurveda.
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