Life after shingles: the management of postherpetic neuralgia.
Chronic pain may have devastating effects on the physical and psychological well being of many patients (Harden, 1999). Most community nurses are in contact with a number of patients with chronic pain and will be asked for advice and recommendations with regards to its management. Chronic neuropathic pain is a complex and sometimes intractable condition that patients will seek help for, from either GPs or from the community nursing teams. This article will examine one neuropathic pain syndrome - post-herpetic neuralgia - and review the evidence base in relation to treatment strategies, in an attempt to support community staff in the management of this difficult to treat pain syndrome.
Williams
Heather
H
Chronic Pain Management, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
D000700:Analgesics