It was believed that tuberculosis (TB) was an old disease, and it no longer affected humans. But now due to issues like drug resistance and HIV, Tuberculosis has again become a major problem for people around the world. TB is a very well-known and dangerous infectious disease. The number of people who die due to TB worldwide is many times more than the number of people who die from any other infectious disease. In fact, the word TB is an abbreviation of tuberculosis (tuberculosis) which people often use in the context of telling about this disease.
It usually affects the lungs of humans. Apart from the lungs, it can also spread to other parts of the body such as the brain and spinal cord. Here in this article, we have given complete information about TB, in which first we will know what is the meaning of TB, what causes it, how its symptoms appear, how many types it is? In the end, we will also read about the treatment of TB and what to eat and what not to eat in this disease.
Understanding Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is commonly known as TB. TB, also known as Kshaya Rog, Tuberculosis or TB in Hindi, is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which often affects the lungs of humans. TB is curable, curable and preventable. Through the air, TB may transmit from one person to another.
When a person with TB coughs, sneezes or spits, they spread TB germs in the air. And only by breathing in this air full of germs or germs, a person can get infected. Let us know how many types of tuberculosis are there –
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Types of Tuberculosis, Treatment Strategies, Dietary Advice
According to doctors, TB or tuberculosis is mainly of two types, which are as follows-
• Latent TB or latent tuberculosis
• Active TB or active tuberculosis
1. Latent TB.
In this, the TB bacteria remain in the body in an inactive form. They usually do not show any symptoms and are not contagious, but they can become active. Latent TB occurs when a person has TB bacteria in their body, but the bacteria are present in very small numbers. People with latent TB do not feel ill, and they usually have tests such as X-rays and sputum tests that are usually negative.
There are generally 2 types of tests for latent TB – TB skin test and IGRA blood test.
2. Active TB.
Symptoms of TB are visible in active TB and a person with active TB can easily infect others. Active TB is a condition in which the body’s immune system is unable to fight or defend against Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Due to which the person’s lungs get infected, which is the most common symptom.
Organs affected include the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, musculoskeletal system, lymphoretic system and reproductive system, as well as the skin and liver.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Although your body can harbor bacteria that causes tuberculosis, because of latent TB symptoms are not visible so here we have explained the symptoms of active TB which are as follows-
• Coughing for more than three weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
• Sudden weight loss
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Night Sweats
• Chills
• Loss of Appetite
In addition to the lungs, the kidneys, spine, and brain can also be impacted by TB. When TB is outside your lungs, the signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine can give you back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys can cause blood in your urine.
• If TB infects the bones, it can cause bone pain and joint pain.
• TB in the brain can cause meningitis
• TB in the liver and kidneys can impair their functions of filtering waste and cause blood in the urine
• TB in the heart can impair the heart’s ability to pump blood, resulting in a condition called cardiac tamponade which can be fatal.
Who Can Get Infected with Tuberculosis?
Although anyone can become a victim of TB, but there are some factors that can increase its risk, which include the following-
1. Weak Immune System
If your immune system is strong then it can protect you from tuberculosis bacteria but if your immune system is weak then your body cannot make effective defense. Many diseases and medicines can weaken your immune system, including:
• HIV / AIDS
• diabetes
• Severe kidney disease
• Certain cancers
• cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
• Medicines given at the time of organ transplant
• Certain drugs that are given to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis
• Malnutrition
2. Traveling to Areas with TB
People most at risk of getting TB are people who live in or travel to a country with high rates of tuberculosis.
3. Your Place of Residence and Place of work
• Health Care Work: Frequent contact with people who are sick can increase the chance of exposure to bacteria. Wearing a mask and frequent hand washing can reduce the risk of TB.
• Living and Working in a Residential Care Facility: People who live or work in a prison, or in an immigration center or nursing home are most at risk of contracting tuberculosis.
• People Living in Refugee Camps or Shelters: Refugees living in poor nutrition, ill health and crowded, unsanitary conditions are at particularly high risk of TB infection.
Preventions For Tuberculosis
If you have TB or someone you know has TB, during the first few weeks of treatment, or until your doctor says you are no longer at risk: Follow the tips. Some general measures can be taken to prevent the spread of TB, which are as follows-
• Take all your medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Keep all appointments with the doctor.
• Always cover your mouth with a handkerchief or use a mask when you cough or sneeze. • • Seal the mask in a plastic bag after use, then throw it away.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t encourage anyone to come see you or pay them a visit.
• Stay away from work, school, or other public places.
• Use a fan or open windows to get some fresh air.
• Don’t use public transportation.
• If you have TB, stay away from people who have TB or tuberculosis, thus avoiding exposure to TB bacteria.
• Get BCG vaccinated.
• TB education is essential for TB patients. TB patients need to know how to take TB medicines correctly. They also need to ensure that they do not spread TB to others. TB education is necessary for TB patients as well as the general public.
How to Diagnose Tuberculosis?
Both sputum test and CBNAAT test will be required for the diagnosis of TB or Tuberculosis. [Note: CBNAAT test is the best test and is done free of cost by Government of India in all TB centers]. The main advantage of CBNAAT test is that it is able to confirm whether the TB disease is being treated with 4 antibiotics. Can be done or it is MDR. Apart from this, sometimes the sputum test done by the laboratory is also not accurate due to many factors.
1. CBNAAT Test.
The CBNAAT test also known as GeneXpert test is a molecular test for TB that diagnoses TB by detecting the presence of TB bacteria as well as testing for resistance to the drug rifampicin. The full name of CB-NAAT test is Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test.
Tuberculin skin test.
The dead TB germs used in the tuberculin skin test are injected beneath the skin. If the person is infected with TB, a lump will form at the injection site which means that the TB germs have infected the body, although this does not necessarily mean that the person has active TB.
2. Tuberculosis blood test.
The TB skin test has been replaced by two new blood tests for the detection of tuberculosis germs. Each test takes a blood sample which is then stimulated with a set of antigens (proteins) found in the bacteria that cause TB. If your immune system ever sees these antigens, your cells will produce interferon-gamma, a substance produced by our immune system that can be measured in a laboratory.
3.chest X-ray.
This test does not detect TB in its latent stage. If a person has been infected with TB for some time in the past but has not yet developed active disease, a chest X-ray will not show the disease and will be normal. Some people do not find anything on their chest X-ray even after they have come up with TB in a skin test and a TB blood test. If the TB germs have invaded and there is inflammation in the lungs, only then a chest X-ray will reveal TB.
4. Sputum test.
In this test, a sample of sputum from the lungs is examined to see if TB germs are present. To check for signs of TB germs, the sputum is examined under a microscope (a “sputum smear”). The cost of this test in India is around Rs.300.
Treatment For Tuberculosis
Most cases of TB can be cured if the right medicine is available at the right time and is treated properly. It can be treated through medicines, home remedies and with the help of Ayurvedic treatment.
With the help of medicines.
How long and how long a treatment with antibiotics (tuberculosis treatment) will last depends entirely on the person’s age, overall health, potential resistance to the drugs, whether the TB is latent or active, and whether the TB infection is in any part of the body. location (i.e. lungs, brain, kidneys. People with latent tuberculosis may only need antibiotics for one type of TB, Whereas people with active TB (especially MDR-TB) often require multiple drugs (prescription medicines).
Antibiotics are usually taken for a relatively long time. The time limit for the course of antibiotics for tuberculosis is about 6 months. TB medicine can be toxic to the liver, and although side effects are uncommon, when they do occur, they can be serious. Potential side effects that should be reported to the doctor include:
• Dark urine
• High fever
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
For the treatment of any disease, it is necessary that its course is completed completely, even if the symptoms of TB or any other disease go away. Any bacteria that survive treatment can become resistant to the drug and develop MDR-TB in the future.
Home Remedies For Tuberculosis
The most effective home remedies for TB include the use of milk, pineapple, orange, banana, garlic, mint, walnut, amla, green tea, black pepper, celery, bottle gourd, incense, flaxseed and winter cherry.
1. Milk
Milk is considered as one of the best remedies for the treatment of TB. As we all know that milk is one of the best sources of calcium in our diet, and calcium is one of the best vitamins in the body to counteract the symptoms of TB. It not only protects the body from the effects of TB bacteria, but also supports the smooth functioning of the respiratory system, reduces inflammation, and boosts the immune system to fight infection effectively gives.
2. Bananas
This delicious fruit has been used for hundreds of years in various regions of the world for effective treatment of TB. Bananas have a high concentration of vitamins and organic compounds that can reduce inflammation, cough, high fever, and excessive mucus production. Eating a few bananas a day can completely cure this condition.
3. Pineapple
Pineapple is great for breaking up mucus in the respiratory tract and cleaning the lungs and nasal cavity. This strengthens the immune system and enables it to fight bacteria. So if you are suffering from TB then eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice to fight TB naturally.
4. Garlic
By drinking garlic diluted in water, or adding fresh garlic to your food, you can effectively relieve the symptoms of TB or you can strengthen your immune system by consuming garlic and TB can be prevented.
5. Bottle gourd and other gourds
Various types of gourds like bottle gourd, ridge gourd, bitter gourd etc. act as effective immune system stimulants. This is important for people with TB, because when you are infected, the biggest impact is on your immune system.
6. Mint
Not only does mint work to flavor your favorite cocktail or freshen your breath, it also works to break up mucus in your respiratory tract, allowing air to pass through more easily. It also has immune-stimulating properties and antioxidants that can directly affect any infection occurring in the body. A person suffering from TB must include mint in their daily diet.
7. Amla
Amla is known to effectively reduce the symptoms of TB, especially when pure amla juice is consumed mixed with honey. It protects the stomach and respiratory tract and provides relief from bloating and discomfort.
8. Oranges
Oranges are known to be a high source of vitamin C and other beneficial vitamins and antioxidants. Its high concentration makes orange a very effective home remedy for TB. Orange juice can break up congestion in the lungs and respiratory tract and reduce the amount of blood in phlegm, cough and sputum. Also, the antioxidants present in oranges effectively kill infection-causing bacteria.
9. Black pepper
Black pepper is an anti-inflammatory substance, which can also help clear the lungs, reduce cough, and eliminate pain and discomfort. If you roast black pepper in butter, and mash them and consume it several times a day, you can get quick results and get relief from TB condition.
10. Green Tea
Green tea has high polyphenol content to flush out bacteria and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. A cup or two of green tea every day is a wonderful home remedy for TB patients.
Although these home remedies are effective to a great extent, still consult a doctor if you have TB because TB is a very serious disease and it can be fatal if not treated.
What to Eat and What to Avoid?
If you are suffering from TB then you need to take special care of your diet. For this, you can reduce the risk of TB and the symptoms of TB by adopting the following food-related tips:
- Do not consume such foods which cause allergies.
- Make sure you are eating foods rich in iron along with B-vitamins.
- Be sure to include plenty of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet (such as fruits, vegetables, and green tea are all excellent sources).
- Consume high quality protein such as lean beef and wild salmon.
- Eliminate sources of trans-fatty acids in your diet such as fast food and processed food.
- Avoid refined foods like white bread, white rice, pasta and refined sugar.
- Avoid coffee, alcohol and tobacco products.
- Keep caffeine intake low and choose high-quality organic caffeine sources.
- Include lots of probiotic rich foods in your diet and/or take a probiotic supplement daily.
(Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is just to wake you up for your health purpose. Out intension is not to mislead or It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always contact your doctor for more details.)