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How Dangerous Are Shingles in the Elderly?

Anticonvulsant Medicines

If alternative therapies don’t work, doctors may prescribe the anti-convulsant medications, named gabapentin and pregabalin. However, due to the possibility of dizziness, these medications should only be used with caution in older individuals. The risk of a fall caused by dizziness may be reduced if the medications are taken right before bed.

Conclusion

Even though shingles can strike anyone at all ages, it strikes elderly people far more frequently. For elderly persons, the infection can potentially result in more severe symptoms and bigger problems.

Get a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as you can, in order to help prevent consequences like chronic nerve pain. Ask a medical practitioner if you haven’t received your shingles vaccination, or if you’re not sure if you should.

Reference:

[1] https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention

[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chickenpox/symptoms-causes/syc-20351282

[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/nausea

[4] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12093-postherpetic-neuralgia

[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013

[6] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-pneumonia

[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/encephalitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20356136

[8] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/11086-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-medicines-nsaids