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Tuberculosis - Information on the Symptoms, Causes And Treatment of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one of the most serious infectious diseases. Infection, with or without disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Humans usually acquire infection by breathing in infectious droplets, which have been expelled from the respiratory tract of infected persons. Tuberculosis disease mainly infects the lungs, although it can affect other organs as well. The disease is slowly progressive and chronic if untreated and death may result. It is a major health problem in India and often rated as the number one killer among the infectious diseases. The disease in children is known as primary tuberculosis and that in adults as post primary.

Information on the symptoms of Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis mainly affects lungs, intestines, bones, glands and brain with its meanings. Pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculosis of the lungs is by far the most common type of tuberculosis. In the adults, the disease is characterized by cough with sputum, haemoptysis (spitting up of blood from the respiratory system), weight loss and night sweats. Abnormal physical signs are present in the lungs and X-rays may show infiltration, cavitation, calcification and fibrosis. None of these signs and symptoms applies to primary tuberculosis in children.

Most children who are infected with tuberculosis anywhere in the body apparently look well, with no symptoms or signs. A few have a mild fever for a few weeks, may become cheerless and loose a little weight or fail to gain weight. In most cases, the primary focus heals with no further trouble. In some cases, however, clinical disturbances do occur at different stages of the disease process. Here are some common symptoms of tuberculosis.

• A bad cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks.
• Weakness or fatigue.
• Pain in the chest.
• Fever.
• Sweating at night.

Information on the causes of Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is caused by a tiny germ called tubercle bacilli's.The germ enters into the body through the nose, mouth and windpipe and settles down in the lungs. It multiplies by millions and produces small raised spots called tubercles.

Lowered resistance or devitalisation of the system, however, is the real cause of this disease, brought about mainly by mineral starvation or the tissues of the body due to an inadequate diet. The chief mineral concerned is calcium. Thus an adequate supply of organic calcium in the system together with organic mineral matter is a sure preventive of the development of tuberculosis.

Treatment of Tuberculosis by natural home remedies.

• Persons anxious to lose weight can eat rice boiled without salt, sugar or spices. In cases of chronic dysentery or tuberculosis, rice cooked with dal in the form of khichdi is beneficial.
• Indian gooseberry is another valuable remedy for tuberculosis. A teaspoon each of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be given to the child every morning in treating this disease. Its regular use will promote vigour and vitality in the body within a few days.
• The juice of pineapple has proved beneficial in the treatment of tuberculosis. It has been found to be effective in dissolving mucus and aiding recovery. This juice was used regularly in the past in treating this disease when it was a more common disease.
• A preparation made from vasaka flowers, known as gulkand is used to treat tuberculosis. A few fresh petals of vasaka flowers should be bruised and put in a pot of china clay. Some sugar crystals should be added and the jar kept in the sun. It should be stirred every morning and evening. The preserve is ready for use in about a month. Even the juice from its leaves is useful in treating tuberculosis. About 30 ml of the juice should be taken thrice a day with honey. It relieves the irritable cough with its soothing action on the nerve and by liquefying the sputum, which makes expectoration easier.
• The use of orange has proved useful in curing tuberculosis. The juice of this fruit should be mixed with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of honey and taken regularly by the patient. Due to its saline action in the lungs, it eases expectorations and protects from secondary infection.
• The use of bottle gourd is considered an effective remedy for tuberculosis. According to Dr. C.D. Mehta of Bengal, T. B. Sanitorium, bottle gourd is one of the best vegetable useful for tuberculosis patients. He has carried out extensive researches which confirm that regular use of cooked bottle gourd helps in developing immUnity against tubercular germs.

The patient should take complete rest, both mentally and physically. Any type of stress will prevent healing. Fresh air is always important in curing the disease and the patient should spend most of his time in open air and should sleep in a well ventilated room. Sunshine is also essential as tubercle bacilli are rapidly killed by exposure to suprays. Sunlight should be applied directly to the exposed body surface and the child-patient should remain in sunshine as much as possible. The best results can be obtained if the sunlight can be made to fall directly upon the affected tissues. This will not only kill the consumption germ but will also vitalize and energize the body and increase its power of resistance.

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