Question 1

i have shingles nd its about 4 months. i have a disk problems to and it hearts really bad. i want to know about shingles nd i want to know how much does it take to recover. i will be really thanked if u give me some information about it and what to do

Accepted Answer

You : You will want to see someone in internal medicine or infectious diseases for a more complete evaluation and discussion about shingles.  Unfortunately, it can have a prolonged course.  The herpes zoster virus lives in the nerve cell bodies and can re-emerge at any time, usually years after the initial infection and in response to some form of stress.  The symptoms include nerve pain and a rash in the area of the nerve.  The rash does not cross midline since it strictly follows the nerve distribution.  The pattern of rash is called "dermatomal" in reference to the area of skin supplied by the segment of the spinal cord that contains the nerve.

Singles has been known to last for months to over a year.  Anti-virals can be helpful and you should discuss the pros and cons with your physician.

In contrast, a disk problem can produce back pain, usually somewhat centralized, buttock pain, and numbness, pain, and tingling along the nerve pathway.  The most typical pattern is called sciatica and involves symptoms down the back of thigh to the bottom of the foot.  It is worse with sitting.  There would not be an associated rash.  The symptoms follow the course of the peripheral nerve involved, rather than the dermatomal (spinal nerve) distribution of shingles.  There can be weakness and bowel or bladder issues, in which case you need to get treatment quickly.

Question 2

read on cnn that shingles before age 40 increases your chances of heart attack stroke by 75%.  is that right?  how to prevent? i got at age 33...

Accepted Answer

Prevent  in same way: This was not a study designed to prove shingles raises the risk of heart attacks, but rather to show an association and raise the possibility that it does. I suggest simply doing what everyone should do to lower their risk: eat healthy, exercise, don't smoke, and control your weight, BP and cholesterol if needed.

Question 3

punch biopsy showed blood vessel formation/benign.  any connection to gallbladder/heart? this was thought to be shingles prior. worries or not?

Accepted Answer

Skin problem?: Benign vascular malformations are very common in the skin and are not usually related to other heath problems. There are some exceptions so be certain to discuss this with your doctor.

Question 4

just diagnosed with shingles, i am cardiac pt with lad 40% n heart muscle weakness 47 n moderate eccentric regurgitation of mitral valve. how to protect my heart from shingles?

Accepted Answer

: Shingles is a localized outbreak where the chickenpox virus you acquired in childhood travels outward from a spinal cord level hibernation. It moves outward from that hibernation point along the distribution of that spinal nerve. The germ does not enter your blood or go to the nerves of the heart. Although the stress of the outbreak is a problem, a direct effect on your heart is not an issue.

Question 5

i had shingles and doc did 1 week acyclovir 400mg 5x/day.  there are still red bumps.  is there still virus, and can it still infect the heart/brain?

Accepted Answer

Sounds OK: If your rash is improving, the acyclovir is working; it takes a couple weeks for complete clearing of shingles. However, if any new bumps are appearing, ask your doc about continuing acyclovir a few more days. Even without treatment, there is no risk of brain or heart infection. Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and shingles, doesn't affect the heart or brain.

Question 6

i got really shaky then i fell don't remember how just relized i was on ground is this my heart?

Accepted Answer

Syncope: You passed out if you do not remember hitting the ground. Generally requires interruption of circulation to the brain. Could be arrythmias either fast or slow maybe very serious seek urgent medical attention.

Question 7

what if it isn't 'athletic heart syndrome'?

Accepted Answer

What do you mean?: My heart is big and I have an extra sound on the left-bottom side of my sternum because i'm in training for an endurance swim. This is a good thing. If you're an athlete and can keep up and your physician has said something nice about your heart, and you're having no chest pain or passing out ; are normotensive, then stop worrying and embrace your achievement.

Question 8

why can't people get heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very rare: People can get tumors of the heart muscle-most are benign. Though exceedingly rare, there are a group of malignant tumors called sarcomas, which can originate in the heart muscle.

Question 9

what happens if a heart valve doesn't close all the way?

Accepted Answer

If a valve doesn't : close properly, it will tend to leak. the amount and consequences of leakage can depend on a lot of things, like heart size and function, as well as your blood pressure. for more details, see a doctor.

Question 10

having crazy heart palpitations don't know what is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Calm down: Palpitations are the sensation of a heavy heartbeat which follows a skipped or early heartbeat. These are often triggered by stimulants, which can include caffeine, nicotine, theophylline (in tea and chocolate) and adrenaline. So quit smoking, cut the coffee and tea, and get some sleep. Palpitations usually aren't dangerous. If you have symptoms like chest pain or dizziness see a doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Can shingles affect the heart

A member asked:

I have shingles nd its about 4 months. i have a disk problems to and it hearts really bad. i want to know about shingles nd i want to know how much does it take to recover. i will be really thanked if u give me some information about it and what to do

A member asked:

Read on cnn that shingles before age 40 increases your chances of heart attack stroke by 75%. is that right? how to prevent? i got at age 33...

A member asked:

Punch biopsy showed blood vessel formation/benign. any connection to gallbladder/heart? this was thought to be shingles prior. worries or not?

A member asked:

Just diagnosed with shingles, i am cardiac pt with lad 40% n heart muscle weakness 47 n moderate eccentric regurgitation of mitral valve. how to protect my heart from shingles?

A member asked:

I had shingles and doc did 1 week acyclovir 400mg 5x/day. there are still red bumps. is there still virus, and can it still infect the heart/brain?

A member asked:

I got really shaky then i fell don't remember how just relized i was on ground is this my heart?

A member asked:

What if it isn't 'athletic heart syndrome'?

A member asked:

Why can't people get heart cancer?

A member asked:

What happens if a heart valve doesn't close all the way?

A member asked:

Having crazy heart palpitations don't know what is wrong?

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