Understanding Shingles: Causes and Prevention

This chapter explores shingles, a painful condition resulting from the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus after chickenpox. The discussion emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices and nutrition in maintaining immune health, particularly as individuals age, which can increase the likelihood of shingles outbreaks. Additionally, the speakers critique conventional approaches to vaccination and advocate for a holistic focus on prevention through healthier living.

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Treating & Preventing Shingles From A Functional Medicine Perspective | This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens and Cozy Earth

For anyone who has experienced shingles, or been around someone who has, you know this can be an incredibly painful condition. Symptoms include rash, hives, and nerve pain. Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus tends to hide, or almost hibernate, in nerve cells long after someone has recovered from chickenpox, and can re-emerge as shingles down the line. In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Dr. George Papaicolaou to discuss why supporting the immune system is so critical when it comes to preventing and treating shingles, and much more.

George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health – a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou joined The UltraWellness Center in 2017.

This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens and Cozy Earth.

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In this conversation, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Papanicolaou discuss: