Shingles Diet Treatment, Facts

What are shingles? Shingles refer to condition that is similar to chicken pox since it is caused by the varicella zoaster virus, the one that is responsible for the condition of chicken pox. It can only occur in people who have already had chicken pox. As such, it can be called a reoccurrence of the disease. Shingles is caused by a virus that lives harmlessly inside the body after one contracts chicken pox.

While the disease is largely harmless, it is often painful and very uncomfortable. Shingles affects the nerve roots, and it is manifested as an uncomfortable rash. Unlike chicken pox, shingles appears as a band on one side of the body. Worse than the rash is the pain, which many people find impossible to bear. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done, other than to let it run its own course. The good news is that once you get it, you’ll probably never get it again.

Who can get Shingles? Anybody who has had chickenpox can contract Shingles. The varicella-zoster virus lives in the body, and many factors, like a weakened immune system, can bring on shingles. Shingles is not contagious, in the sense that one person cannot catch shingles from another, but if a person has not yet had chicken pox, he or she may still contract chicken pox from a person who has had shingles. So if you haven’t had chicken pox, it is wise to stay away from someone with shingles. Also, if you do have shingles, you might want to think about others: don’t go out into mixed company too much, let it be known that you have shingles, and definitely stay away from pregnant women (chicken pox can be very dangerous for both mother and child).

Food for Shingles Patient

Diet for shingles: The varicella-zoster virus lives in the nerve endings, especially those near the spine, and shingles is a disease that primarily affects these nerve endings. Therefore, a diet for shingles should provide nourishment to the nerves. Food for shingles sufferers must contain a lot of vitamins, which are beneficial for your nerves.

Eat foods that are made from whole grains and contain a lot of legumes. High protein foods like eggs and fish have vitamins B12 and B1, which your body needs. Include foods like brewers yeast, which you can sprinkle on your food. Use a lot of green, leafy vegetables, which provide calcium and magnesium to strengthen your nerve endings. If you’re not lactose-intolerant, then drink a lot of milk too. Carrots and citrus fruits, which contain vitamin A and vitamin C, are particularly beneficial.

Remember that when you have any illness, nutrition is very important for your system. Stay away from all sorts of junk food, because they have no real nutritional value.

Submitted on April 11, 2011