Why shingles virus wakes up to wreck your sleep: what you need to know

A dormant virus lurking in your nervous system could be the culprit behind your persistent insomnia. The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox in childhood, can reactivate years or decades later as shingles — and when it does, sleep becomes one of the first casualties. Professor Rafi Carasso explains how this common condition disrupts rest and what triggers the virus to emerge from its long slumber within nerve tissue.The reactivation of shingles doesn’t just cause the characteristic painful rash. The virus can trigger a cascade of neurological symptoms that make quality sleep nearly impossible, leaving sufferers exhausted and vulnerable to further health complications. Understanding why this happens is crucial for anyone who has had chickenpox, as roughly one in three people will experience shingles at some point in their lifetime.Beyond shingles-related sleep disruption, Professor Carasso addresses other common post-operative complications affecting rest and recovery. Patients who have undergone cataract surgery sometimes report unusual sensations and visual disturbances in the weeks following their procedure, which can also interfere with sleep patterns. Meanwhile, migraine sufferers often find their headaches worsen during periods of poor sleep, creating a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break.Effective management requires a multi-pronged approach. Antiviral medications, pain management strategies, and sleep hygiene improvements can all play a role in helping patients recover. Recognition of these interconnected health issues — from viral reactivation to post-surgical symptoms to migraine management — allows healthcare professionals to provide more comprehensive care and help patients reclaim restful nights.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.