Shingles is a painful viral infection. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has an outbreak of chickenpox, the virus remains in the body, but becomes dormant. It can hide in sensory nerves in the neck, face or the body's trunk. Often, it will lie dormant for decades. A weak immune system can be a trigger that "awakens" the virus. Vitamin C plays a valuable role in strengthening the immune system.
Symptoms
At the onset of shingles, a person will experience a sensitivity to one side of the face, back or chest. This is followed by a fever, giving the appearance of a flu virus. The sensitive area will grow to be extremely painful, so much so that a person might not be able to tolerate clothing touch it. Next, the affected area will break out in blisters, clear in color. Eventually, the blisters will turn yellow, develop a scab and fall off. Once the disease runs it course, it is most likely to go into remission again.
Vitamin C Prevention And Treatment
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for immune system support. Keeping the immune system strong is one of the keys to preventing the shingles virus from activating. When an outbreak does occurs, take 1,000 mg four or more times a day of vitamin C. If diarrhea is experienced, reduce the amount. Take as much vitamin C as you can without getting diarrhea. Vitamin C also has anti-viral and anti-toxin properties, that make it an effective part of a plan to treat and prevent shingles.
Other Nutritional Supplements
In addition to vitamin C, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that address the immune system should be included in a daily supplement regimen. These include echinacea (4 ml or 500 mg four times a day), vitamin E (400 IUs daily), vitamin A (50,000 IUs daily for two weeks), zinc (30 mg daily), copper (2 mg a day) and selenium (200 mcg daily).
Foods To Eat
Foods rich in vitamins C and A should be consumed. These vitamins can be found in green, yellow and orange colored vegetables. Fruits not only contain vitamin C but also bioflavonoids, which are food factors that enhance the action of vitamin C. Because shingles affects the nervous system, eat foods high in B vitamins. These include whole grains, wheat germ, brewer's yeast and eggs. Cranberry juice contains vitamin C, however drink the unsweetened variety to avoid excess sugar in the diet.
Foods to Avoid
The immune system, with its white blood cells, must be at its peak to prevent an attack of shingles. Because sugar suppresses white blood cell activity, avoid refined, processed products high in sugar, such as soda, pastries, candy. Natural sugars, as found in fruit, is preferable, but even these should be consumed in moderation during an attack of shingles.
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