Tags
Accupuncture, Acidic Body, Alkaline Body, Allergy, Diets, Medications, Shingles Virus, Viruses, Vitamin C, Vitamin Supplements, vitamins
Hello everyone! I apologize for not writing for a while. So I am back! I open with a topic that is probably most interesting to everyone “The Shingles Virus.” Recently a family member developed the Shingles Virus, also known as the Herpes Zoster Virus, Hives, and Angioderma. Thus began my research on the Shingles Virus.
What are Shingles?
Shingles is a form of the Herpes Virus that lies dormant in the body after having the chicken pox as a young child or young adult (teenager). Approximately 1 million people or more each year will be diagnosed with the Shingles Virus in the United States. One in three to five people will develop the Shingles Virus.
The Shingles are inflamed herpes blisters which may cover the whole body or isolated areas, such as the torso area, abdomen area, the face and eye area, the chest area or the back or front of the body. The Shingles blisters are considered infectious to the human touch or to an individual who has not had the chicken pox as a child or young adult (teenager). Everyone is prone to get the Shingles Virus.
Symptoms of the Shingles Virus might include: flu like symptoms, fever, severe headaches, upset stomach, followed by scarring, numbness, skin discoloration, extreme nerve pain and unexplained itching, followed by inflamed, deep red blisters. In some rare cases, extreme nerve pain and itching will only occur.
Some people say that people over 50 are the most susceptible to the Shingles virus, but in my research I have found that any age over 20 years old may develop and be susceptible to the Shingles Virus.
Why is that possible? We live in a very high stress society so anyone with high or extremely large amounts of stress or have very poor immune systems are at risk of developing the Shingles Virus. I found there are other causes that might cause the Shingles Virus. Different forms of Herpes, Adrenal and Liver exhaustion, very poor or low immune systems, a body that is very acidic, and individuals that has had several treatments of antibiotics, chemical reactions which may include highly chlorinated water, allergic reactions from shellfish, dairy products, wheat, MSG’s or food additives. People with auto-immune diseases are susceptible to the Shingles Virus.
What can you do for the body or to support your body if you suspect you have the Shingles Virus?
First, and foremost you should seek medical attention immediately. It is critical especially if you get the Shingles Virus in the face and eye area. The Shingles Virus spreads so fast that if you develop the Shingles in the eye and face area, there is a chance you could lose your eye sight. Nerve pain is very common with the Shingles Virus, and can become debilitating. Immediate medical treatment includes prescription drugs that kill the virus as well as steroids. An Ophthalmologist is also critical if the shingles are near the eye.
After seeing a medical professional, there are some Holistic and natural therapies you can incorporate into your healing process of the Shingles Virus. It is important to check with your medical doctor if you plan to incorporate holistic remedies, herbs or naturopathic remedies. Some Holistic herbal remedies and vitamin supplements will react with most drugs given to you by your doctor. A qualified Holistic Nutritionist or your medical doctor (that incorporates holistic healing) should be able to determine what drugs will react with herbs, vitamin supplements, and homeopathic remedies. Be sure to take the medical drugs as prescribed until the virus subsides, and then check with your doctor about returning to taking your herbs, vitamin supplements or homeopathic remedies. An Ophthalmologist might prescribe steroid eye drops and other drops for an extended period of time.
Second, during the Shingles Virus, when you are taking the medical drugs you can eat fresh foods and eliminate or avoid foods that make your body acidic. Foods that make your body acidic are: alcohol, coffee, some caffeinated herbal teas, highly chlorinated drinking water, some red meats, cheese, salty and fried foods, sugar, aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), tetracycline, antibiotics. These foods have the tendency to aggravate the blisters and could cause possible future outbreaks while recovering from the Shingles Virus. Eliminate or avoid foods with preservative, flavorings, additives, and food colorings. A healthy clean pure diet is the key while recovering from the Shingles Virus.
Lastly, try to avoid as much stress as you can. Stress will aggravate and prolong your recovery time. Get enough rest.
There are Holistic Health topical ointments available you can use. They are as follows: warm and cold compresses with flax seed oil, castor oil, Aloe Vera juice (organic pure Aloe Vera juice is best), Epsom salts, or colloidal oatmeal baths or compresses (take a soaked cotton cloth/towel with Epsom salts or colloidal oatmeal, and apply to the blisters, 4 to 6 times a day or as needed), Cayenne-ginger compresses, Shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E oil or jojoba oil are all good sources for moisture and help with the scarring. Vitamin D supplements, Olive Leaf Extract, Vitamin C, and Quercetin are all good to help support your body during and after the Shingles Virus. Homeopathic remedies: Des Bio Series Therapy Herpes Zoster Vials, Hypericum Perforatum 30c from Boron, both remedies help nerve pain and support the body. Check with your doctor (that practices holistic alternatives) about the details and timing of taking these remedies.
Acupuncture is good recovery therapy support for after developing the Shingles, approximately 6 weeks after the trauma. Massage therapy is good as well, 6 weeks after developing the Shingles.
Again, I cannot stress enough to check with your medical doctor (that incorporates holistic healing) if you take any of the above mentioned herbal and vitamin supplements while on the medical drugs.
Unfortunately, it can take anywhere from four to six weeks to recover from the Shingles Virus and in some cases 6 months to 1 year. It depends on how healthy your immune system is, what your body type is, and how your body heals.
Is the Shingles Virus vaccine a good option?
Well it has always been my preference not to over vaccinate the body, but it is your body so you decide. There have been some cases where the Shingles Virus Vaccine works well and some cases where the vaccine will bring on the Shingles Virus. There are some cases where the Shingles Virus Vaccine prevents one from developing a severe case of the Shingles Virus. Every individual body is different; therefore, every person will have a different experience with the Shingles Virus Vaccine.
In conclusion, remember the key to recovering from the Shingles Virus is to seek out your medical professional, a healthy pure diet, very little stress as possible, and plenty of rest. A good attitude helps too; the Shingles Virus will not last forever!
Please know this blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Its sole purpose is to inform and educate. Consult your Medical Practitioner before making changes to your diet and health life style. This information blog is my opinion and is not to be construed as medical advice or recommendations.
References:
Healthy Healing A guide to Self-Healing for Everyone 12th Edition, Linda Page, PHD in Traditional Naturopath
Tabors Cyclopedia Medical Dictionary, F. A. Davis, 20th Edition
A-Z Guide, Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions, Edited by, Alan R. Gaby, M.D., and the Health Notes Medical Team
The Internet
Personnel Experiences from Friends and Family Members who have developed The Shingles Virus