Tuberculosis – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com
Wednesday, July 04, 2018 by Carol Anderson
http://www.naturalpedia.com/tuberculosis-causes-side-effects-and-treatments-at-naturalpedia-com.html
Tuberculosis (TB) is a known lung disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is curable and preventable, however, since it can easily be transmitted from person to person, may fall victim to the disease. A person needs only to inhale a few of the TB germs become infected.
According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is among the top 10 causes of death globally. In fact, in 2016, around 1.7 million people died from it while over 10.4 million were diagnosed with the condition.
TB has two types and these are:
- Latent TB – A person may already have the TB germ inside the body but is not (yet) ill with the disease. This type is not contagious.
- Active TB – The bacteria inside the person is already causing symptoms and is contagious.
Known risk factors and symptoms of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis can victimize anyone of all ages. However, it is said to be more prevalent among adults and in less progressive countries. Those who are positive for HIV are 20 to 30 times more vulnerable to the bacteria, and so does other people who are suffering from other health condition. In addition, smokers are also at a higher risk of developing TB.
Meanwhile, the following are symptoms associated with tuberculosis:
- High body temperature
- Chills and night sweats
- Coughing
- Coughing with blood
- Decrease or loss of appetite
- Weight and/or muscle loss
- Fatigue or malaise
- Pain in the chest while breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pneumonitis
Body systems affected by tuberculosis
If tuberculosis is left untreated, it can be fatal. And while the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria mainly affects the lungs, it is possible for the infection to spread out and affect other parts of the body. This can cause further complications, such as:
- Spinal pain – Pain in the back and the feeling of stiffness are often experienced by patients with TB.
- Joint damage – The hips and the knees are commonly affected by TB arthritis.
- Meningitis – TB can cause a lasting or an intermittent headache and mental changes.
- Liver or kidney problems – The healthy functions of these organs may be impaired.
- Heart disorders – In rare occasions, TB can affect the heart tissues, which can be deadly.
Food items or nutrients that may prevent tuberculosis
There’s a bunch of food people can take to prevent or relieve the symptoms of tuberculosis. Some of them are as follows:
- Bananas
- Black pepper
- Drumstick
- Garlic
- Green tea
- Indian Gooseberry
- Oranges
- Mint
- Walnuts
Treatments, management options for tuberculosis
To treat tuberculosis, medical experts often prescribe products that can kill the TB-causing bacteria. However, there are home remedies which can be done as a safer alternative, such as:
- Regular intake of the aforementioned foods to ensure good health, and enable the body to fight off bacteria.
- Get some vitamin D to reduce the risk of developing active TB.
- Make sure to get enough doses of B-vitamins and iron to help the body fight pathogens. These can be sourced from foods like whole grain foods and dark green leafy vegetables.
- Drink raw milk to get enough calcium in the system.
- Reduce or completely do away with food allergens, trans fats, and refined foods.
Where to learn more
- FDA approves experimental tuberculosis treatment that carries increased risk of death
- Hemp seeds cure tuberculosis – forbidden medicine
- Turmeric vs. Tuberculosis: This superfood can supercharge your immune system for robust protection
- Chinese medicine herb discovered to prevent tuberculosis infections
- Health experts warn untreatable tuberculosis threatens world
Summary
Tuberculosis is a common lung infection caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It is tagged as one of the top causes of death worldwide as it can be easily transmitted from person to person.
While anyone can contract the disease, adults are said to be more susceptible to it and so are people diagnosed with HIV. TB cases are also more prevalent in developing countries and among people who smoke.
Symptoms of TB include fever, chills, and night sweats, coughing, coughing with blood, decrease or loss of appetite, weight and/or muscle loss, fatigue or malaise, pain in the chest while breathing, shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes, and pneumonitis.
Further complications may be caused by this condition, such as spinal pain, joint damage, meningitis, liver or kidney problems, and heart disorders. If left untreated, TB can also be fatal.
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