Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis(TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs ,but it can affect any organ in the body. It is developed when bacteria spread through droplets in the air. TB can be fatal but it is also preventable and treatable . TB is among the top 10 causes of death globally.
Tuberculosis gets develop when a person inhale a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can affect any organ of the body ,but it is most contagious when it affects the lungs.
Types –
1) Latent TB –
In this type of TB ,a person can have TB bacteria in their body and never develop symptoms. In this situation ,the immune system of a person can contain the bacteria and don’t allow the bacteria to replicate and cause disease .It simply means that a person is having TB infection but not active disease. In latent TB ,person never experience symptoms and remains unaware that they have TB infection. There is also no risk of passing on a latent infection to other person ,still this type of TB also requires treatment.
2) Active TB –
The body of the person may be unable to contain TB bacteria due to weakend immune system,due to which bacteria replicate and cause symptoms , resulting in Active TB. Infected person here can spread the infection.
Symptoms –
Active TB typically causes many symptoms which are commonly related to respiratory system-
• Cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks.
• Chest pain when coughing or normal breathing.
• Phelgm associated with cough.
• Excessive fatigue
• Swelling in the neck
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weightloss
• Appetite loss
TB usually affects the lungs ,it can also affects other organs ,such as kidneys ,spine ,bone marrow and brain . Symptoms may vary depending on which organ is affected. E.g. In tuberculosis of kidneys blood in urine is the symptom.
Causes –
A bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes TB. There are a variety of strains and some have become resistant to medication. TB bacteria gets transmitted through infected droplets in the air. A TB infected person can transmit the bacteria via sneezing , coughing , speaking and singing .
Risk Factors –
• Weakened immune system due to certain diseases like HIV , diabetes ,cancer , kidney diseases or use of medications.
• Persons who first developed the infection in past 2-5 yrs .
• Older adults and young children.
• People who use injected recreational drugs.
• People who have not received appropriate TB treatment in past.
• Smoking also increases risk of developing TB.
• People who remains in contact with TB patient.
Diagnosis –
• Purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test
• Blood test
• Chest X-ray
• Sputum test
• CT-scan chest
• Bronchoscopy
Treatment –
People diagnosed with Active TB disease generally here to take a combination of medications for 6-9 months. The full treatment course must be completed , otherwise TB infection could come back. The most common combination of medications for Active TB disease are –
• Isoniazid
• Ethambutol
• Pyrazinamide
• Rifampicin
• Rifapentine
Side-effects of treatment –
Sometimes the treatment can affects your liver ,so people taking TB medications should be aware of liver injury. The symptoms for liver injury includes –
• Appetite loss
• Dark urine
• Fever lasting longer than 3 days
• Unexplained nausea or vomitting
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain
Complications –
Without treatment ,TB can be fatal .If it spreads through out the body ,the infection can cause following complications are –
• Spinal pain
• Joint damage
• Liver or kidney problems
• Heart disorders
• Swelling of the members that covers your brain
Ayurvedic Perspective –
In Ayurveda TB is known as Kshayaroga or Rajyakshama which is a wasting of dhatus disease.
Shodhan karmas should not be used in weak individuals and in strong people also those karmas should be very mild.
This line of treatment should be followed because Kshaya ( depletion) of all seven dhatus in TB occurs , therefore brihman ( Nourishing) treatment should be given to strengthen the body.
Herbs effectively used –
• Vidarikanda –
It acts on the digestive and reproductive system. It has tonic , rejuvenating ,nutritive and anti -inflammatory .It helps in management of enlargement of liver and spleen.
• Brahmi –
It is an excellent brain tonic ,rejuvenates brain cells and nerves. It cleanses and nourishes the immune systems ,purifies blood and thus useful in TB symptoms management.
• Rasona –
It has antihelminthic ,antiparasitic , antibacterial, antispasmodic , carminative , expectorant ,rejuvenating and stimulant actions. Garlic opens naadis and helps in removal of Ama from blood and lymph ,rejuvenates the bones and nerve tissues ,prevents and treats microbial infections of lung and bronchi. It is highly effective in TB management.
• Mulethi. –
It pacifies vata ,pitta ,kapha and helps in elimination of excess kapha from the body . It is useful in management of bleeding ,throat irritation ,bronchitis and exhaustion.
• Ashwagandha –
It has immunity booster,anti- inflammatory and rejuvenating properties.
• Guduchi –
It pacifies all three Doshas and acts on the circulatory and digestive system.
Medications used –
• Eladi churna
• Sitopladi churna
• Chitrak Haritaki
• Mahalaxmivilas ras
• Swarnamalini vasanta
• Vasantkusumakar Ras
• Madhumalini vasanta
• Chywanprashavleha
• Dhanvantar gutika
• Draksharhishta
• Bhringrajasav
For more informative articles on health issues, please visit our website www.santripty.com and also feel free to consult.
You can follow us on