[Ming Pao News]Some elderly people have been troubled by pains of different sizes for a long time. Under the habit, even if the waist pain occurs for no reason, they don’t care regarding it. Many unusual behaviors. (Editor’s note: Low back pain for no reason. One of the common causes is herpes zoster, commonly known as “raw snake”. Is it because the body’s immunity is weakened that the snake will be born? What symptoms will appear? Will there be sequelae following giving birth to the snake? Hit ” Are snake needles effective?)
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Raw Snake: Immunity is weakened, the virus waits for an opportunity to attack, and sudden low back pain and vesicular rash are warning signs
The truth is, pain is a warning sign, telling us where the body has been damaged and needs to be dealt with. These injuries are not limited to the trauma of pulling and collision, but can also be caused by viruses and bacteria in the body.
As far as the elderly are concerned, one of the common causes of waist pain without external shocks is herpes zoster, commonly known as “raw snake”. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus hiding in the nerve cord. When the strength is weakened or the immune system function is weakened due to aging, the virus will take the opportunity to attack and cause pain, and the waist is one of the common locations.
Rash on the skin, taking antiviral drugs orally within 72 hours to relieve neuralgia
Generally speaking, raw snakes not only cause pain, but also blister-like rashes on the affected area, but these skin symptoms may not appear in the early stage of the disease. During this period, it seems that it is not much different from ordinary back problems, and it is easy to be taken lightly. Patients often wake up to deal with it following the rash appears!
Current antiviral drugs to treat shingles need to be taken within 72 hours of the rash to be most effective, including reducing the chance of developing postherpetic neuralgia. According to medical literature, regarding 10% to 20% of patients with raw snakes will develop postherpetic neuralgia following recovery. From time to time, neuralgia like lightning, acupuncture, and burning will occur, which can last for several months to several years , and there is no effective treatment method, it is a very troublesome sequela.
Therefore, if there is tingling pain in the waist for no reason, especially if the pain is close to the skin surface or a little itchy, and if you feel burning pain even if you touch it lightly, you need to pay close attention to the affected area; if you have a blister rash, you have to seek medical treatment immediately.
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Herpes zoster virus causes snakes in people who have had chickenpox
Although only those who have had chickenpox can carry the varicella-zoster virus on their body and cause snakes; but in clinical practice, we have seen many people misunderstand that they have never been infected with chickenpox because of their vague memories of childhood or mild illness in those years. There is no need to worry regarding the raw snake coming to you and ignore the related symptoms.
Snake injection is recommended for those aged 50 or above
Since herpes zoster can cause neuralgia and may cause serious sequelae such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and deafness, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued guidelines recommending that people aged 50 or over be vaccinated with two doses of shingles. Herpes vaccine (snake needles) to reduce raw snakes and related complications.
Text: Xue Yongshan (Director of Jockey Club Pain “Positive” Energy Program, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Family Medicine Specialist)