Plant Medicine Provides Great Relief from PHN
Article by Vita Li
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is thought to be nerve damage caused by herpes zoster. The damage causes nerves in the affected dermatomic area of the skin to send abnormal electrical signals to the brain. These signals may convey excruciating pain, and may persist or recur for months, years or until death. A key factor in the neural plasticity underlying neuropathic pain is altered gene expression in sensory dorsal root ganglia neurons. Injury to sensory nerves induces neurochemical, physiological and anatomical modifications to afferent and central neurons.Race may influence susceptibility to herpes zoster. African Americans are one fourth as likely as Caucasians to develop this condition. Often an older, debilitated or immune compromised population. With resolution of the herpes zoster eruption, pain that continues for three months or more is defined as PHN. Pain is variable from discomfort to very severe and may be described as burning, stabbing, or gnawing. Sensation may be altered over involved areas, in the form of either hypersensitivity or decreased sensation.Area of previous herpes zoster may show evidence of cutaneous scarring. In rare cases, the patient might also experience muscle weakness, tremor or paralysis — if the nerves involved also control muscle movement. It is strongly recommended by professionals that patients see a doctor at the first sign of shingles. If patients do develop postherpetic neuralgia, they are also advised to see their doctor immediately. They may have to work with their doctor and sometimes other specialists such as neurologists to try a variety of treatments before they find something that helps.The vaccine may keep chickenpox from occurring in nonimmune children and adults, or at least lessen the risk of the chickenpox virus lying dormant in the body and reactivating later as shingles. If shingles could be prevented, postherpetic neuralgia could be completely avoided. Evidence indicates that the vaccine reduced the incidence of shingles. Additionally, the vaccine reduced the incidence of PHN by two-thirds compared to placebo. However, the vaccine’s protective effects diminished over the three years that most patients were followed.Treatment for postherpetic neuralgia depends on the type and characteristics of pain experienced by the patient. Pain control is essential to quality patient care; it ensures patient comfort. In some cases, treatment of postherpetic neuralgia brings complete pain relief. But most people still experience some pain, and a few don’t receive any relief. Although some people must live with postherpetic neuralgia the rest of their lives, most people can expect the condition to gradually disappear on its own within five years.The natural history of PHN involves slow resolution of the pain syndrome. In those patients who develop PHN, most will respond to agents such as the tricyclic antidepressants. A subgroup of patients may develop severe, long-lasting pain that does not respond to medical therapy. Continued research for new agents is necessary. Until recently, PHN was difficult to treat. Antiviral drugs and other medications such as corticosteroids and regional anesthesias have been tried without much success. Treatment is therefore based on managing the neuralgia once it develops.The value of conventional analgesics is limited because of the neurogenic character of the pain, and treatment often relies on antidepressants, which do not address the problem. Antiepileptics have been used, but their value in postherpetic neuralgia is unclear and their adverse effects make them unsuitable for the elderly. Acute PHN conditions are often eased immediately with plant medicine for postherpetic neuralgia. Plant medicine is an anesthetic and sedative treatment that provides great relief to those suffering from PHN.Natural treatment is approved to provide immediate relief from PHN. The anesthetic and sedative properties naturally occurring in the extracts in plant medicine provide great relief for those suffering from PHN. Natural treatments are lipophilic and can be absorbed into your bloodstream easily. When treating sensitive skin make sure to use treatments made from certified organic medicinal plant extracts. They are targeted with insignificant toxicity and side effects, which are one of the main sources of clinical drugs. To learn more, please go to http://www.fonworld.org.
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