Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is usually latent in the posterior spinal root neurons. However, if the body’s resistance is low or if the body is tired, infected, has a cold or fever, or is angry and inflamed, the virus can grow and multiply again and move along the nerve fibers to the skin, causing intense inflammation of the affected nerves and skin. Disease Description Postherpetic neuralgia is the pain left behind by herpes zoster and is a type of sequelae. It is clinically considered as postherpetic neuralgia if the local skin pain remains after the rash of herpes zoster has subsided and persists for more than 1 month. It is characterized by localized paroxysmal or persistent burning, stabbing, throbbing, and cutting pains, which seriously affects rest, sleep, and mental status. Neuralgia is the main feature of herpes zoster and is caused by the pro-neural attack of the herpes zoster virus on the nerve endings, which can occur before the onset of the rash or along with the rash, and is not obvious in children, slightly lighter in young people and heavier in the elderly. The pain is more common in the thoracic intercostal nerve and the trigeminal nerve distribution of the face. The main characteristic is severe and persistent pain. The pain persists even after the herpes zoster lesions are eliminated, and the slightest stimulation causes painful episodes, or sudden attacks without stimulation. To reduce the stimulation of the body by clothes, some people are afraid to wear clothes or hold them up and have trouble sleeping all night. If a virus invades the corresponding brain nerve, it can affect vision, cause facial paralysis and hearing impairment. In addition to pain, it can also induce heart disease, brain hemorrhage, and even lead to death. Treatment a. Oral medication: Currently, oral administration is still the preferred method of treatment for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Drug treatment mainly includes: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, opioids (extended release), antidepressants, antiepileptics, sedatives, etc. ii.
Nerve block: In the early stage of postherpetic neuralgia, nerve block has some effect. Stellate nerve block, epidural block, paravertebral nerve block and nerve trunk block can be applied according to the innervation of the pain site. For patients with refractory postherpetic neuralgia, nerve destruction can be used when various methods are ineffective or the efficacy cannot be maintained, in order to achieve a longer-term effect. Ethanol, phenol glycerin
and adriamycin are commonly used neurodestructive drugs. Precautions 1. In terms of diet: do not eat pork, do not drink alcohol and carbonated drinks similar to beer. Spicy and stimulating food, mutton, parsley, chicken, duck, fish, eggs and other hair products. 2, in terms of action: do not move or less activity, pay more attention to rest. 3, in terms of emotion: do not worry, do not be impatient, and be in a cheerful mood. 4, in terms of treatment: it is recommended to go to the regular pain department of a large hospital at an early stage and take a comprehensive treatment method. Such as nerve sealing, cutting, blocking, freezing, laser irradiation, baking electricity, the use of analgesic pumps, injection of hormones, anesthetics, interferon, nerve-nourishing drugs into the nerve root (or spinal canal).
Patients suffer from chronic pain, abnormal emotions, sleep disorders, loss of work ability and social activities, difficulty in ensuring the quality of life, loss of confidence in the future and even the thought of life, and family members are also worried about this, which is more harmful than ordinary people can imagine.