Tuberculosis treatment focuses on taking the medications correctly in order to reduce your risk of developing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium generally attacks the lungs, but it can also damage some other parts of the body.
TB is a serious disease that spreads through the air when an infected person talks, sneezes, coughs, spits, sings, or laughs. If you have been exposed, you need to visit your doctor for tests. Moreover, you are more prone to get tuberculosis if you have a weak immune system.
As we already TB is caused by bacteria that spread through microscopic droplets released into the air. Even if TB is spreadable, it is not easy to catch. You are much more likely to get TB from someone you work with or live with than from a stranger. Many people with active tuberculosis who’ve had appropriate medical treatment for at least 2 weeks are no longer contagious.
Tuberculosis Symptoms
Typical symptoms of tuberculosis include:
- a persistent cough, which lasts more than 3 weeks and brings up phlegm that can be bloody
- night sweats
- weight loss
- high temperature over 38 C (fever)
- loss of appetite
- fatigue and tiredness
- new swellings that haven’t disappear after a few weeks
You should see your doctor if you cough up blood or have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks.
Facts:
Once unusual in developed countries, TB infections started increasing in 1985, partially because of the rise of HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). HIV weakens the immune system of the person, so it cannot fight the tuberculosis germs. In the U. S., because of stronger regulatory programs, TB started to decrease again in 1993, but still remains a concern. Places of the world that have high rates of tuberculosis include:
- sub-Saharan Africa and west Africa
- southeast Asia – including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia
- China
- Russia
- South America
- the western Pacific region – including Cambodia and Vietnam
Tuberculosis Treatment at Home
Tuberculosis treatment is usually based on regular medical check-ups and proper home treatment. The most important thing is to:
- Keep your medical appointments;
- Take medications as prescribed;
- Eat healthy food and exercise
- Report any side effects of the drugs, especially vision issues,
- If you plan to move during the time of tuberculosis treatment, tell your doctor so he/she can make arrangements for you to continue the treatment.
# Basic Home Remedies
Healthy Eating and Exercise
During tuberculosis treatment, you should get enough sleep, get some exercise, eat healthy foods to help your body fight the infection.
- If you notice that you are losing too much weight, eat well-balanced meals rich in calories and protein to help you keep weight on. In case you need help, you can talk to professional nutritionist or dietitian. (Feel free to write us if you need a professional nutritionist or dietitian in your nearest area, Your Health Tubers will be glad to recommend you one, and help you as soon as possible). However, here are some general tips that can help you:
- If you don’t feel like eating, try to eat your favorite food. Consume smaller meals a few times a day instead of large ones.
- Between meals, drink high-calorie protein shakes or fresh nutritious drinks.
- Drink ginger or peppermint tea, if you feel sick to your stomach.
- Ask your doctor when it’s safe for you to exercise. When you can go outside, walking or jogging is a great way to get exercise. You should start slowly if you haven’t been active. Try two 10-minute or one 20-minute walks to start. Then, slowly increase the time. Walk as often as you could.
# Natural Remedies
Foods to Eat
The following foods are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. These foods will support your tuberculosis treatment and improve your health condition.
- Organic, Raw Milk
Tuberculosis is usually related to depletion of natural Calcium in the body. This mineral is one of the most important therapeutic agents necessary for tuberculosis treatment. Raw milk is one of the richest sources of organic calcium. Drink 2-4 glasses of raw milk per day in case of TB.
- Garlic
Garlic has powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is used in treating various serious health conditions. It’s a widely popular Ayurveda natural remedy. Eat raw garlic a few times a day to boost your immune system and fight off the infection.
- Pineapple
Pineapple is a storehouse of great health benefits due to its wealth of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, Vitamin B6, folate, and thiamin, as well as insoluble and soluble fiber. Helps in dissolving mucus and is really effective in tuberculosis treatment.
- Dried fruits
Dried fruits, especially dried berries and grapes are used to vitalize the body for healing TB.
- Orange Juice
All of the remarkable health benefits of orange juice could be attributed to its nutritive content, as well as minerals and vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate, thiamin, proteins, potassium, fiber, copper, magnesium, hesperidin, flavonoids, and various other trace vitamins and minerals, which make it one of best foods for fighting infections and protecting the body from further ailments.
- Moringa Tea
Moringa leaf (commonly called the ‘horseradish tree’ or the ‘drumstick tree’) is a highly nutritional leaf, rich in essential minerals. This plant originates from India, by is widely known as an excellent source of natural energy booster and nutrition. Drink Moringa tea 3-5 times a day in order to feel the benefits.
Recommended diet
A lot of milk, eggs, butter, black gram, gourd, beetroot, celery, onion, spinach, raw green vegetables, linseed, fresh fruits, and whole meal bread.
Foods to avoid
There are certain foods that you need to avoid in order to get rid of the TB symptoms and improve your health condition. These foods can slow down the healing process. Foods to avoid:
- White sugar
- White bread
- Refined cereals
- Guava
- Banana
- Food with preservatives
- Curd, buttermilk
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Condiments like sauces, pickles
Other Tips
Things to Do:
- Do relaxation exercises and deep breathing
- Take regular Vitamin D through sunlight. Sun is extremely significant as tuberculosis germs are really susceptible to direct sunlight.
- Live in clean, fresh, and airy environment
- Take warm Epsom salt bath, 2 times a week. It will help the healing process
Things Not to Do:
- Hard mental or physical labor
- Sexual intercourse needs to be avoided if it aggravates the disease.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can aid in tuberculosis treatment. It can strengthen the function of your lungs. In acupuncture different points in the body is stimulated with needles that in turn helps to cure TB. In this practice, different points are pressed to increase immune system of the body so that it could fight off tuberculosis bacteria and bring comfort and relief to the person suffering from this terrible disease.
Emotional issues
Because treatment of tuberculosis takes really long, it’s normal to:
- Be embarrassed about having this disease and concerned that other people will eventually find out about it.
- Feel truly bad because other people have to wear a mask when they are near you, in order to keep from getting infected.
- Feel alone and isolated because you can’t go to public places, work, or school until you could no longer infect other people.
- Be concerned about losing your job or losing income during treatment. You might also worry about doctor visits and costs for medications.
- Feel guilty about the unpleasant and stressful situation in your family, especially knowing that your friends and family members are worried about getting the disease or already have it.
- Feel anxious and depressed.
Remember that all the above-stated feelings are normal. They usually go away after you are cured. If not, consult a professional to help you.
Protecting Others
- Do not go to work, school, or public places while you can spread the tuberculosis infection.
- Sleep alone in a bedroom until you can are completely cured.
- Open windows regularly in a room where you stay. This can help you eliminate the TB bacteria from the air in the room.
- When you cough or sneeze don’t forget to cover your mouth. After coughing, throw away the soiled tissue into a covered container. Until you are taking antibiotics (usually for two weeks) you can easily spread the infection to other.
- Talk to your GP about further precautions you can take in order to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
When to Visit Your Doctor
If you notice some of the above-stated symptoms of tuberculosis, you must visit your doctor. Fever, drenching night sweats, persistent cough, or an unexplained weight loss are usually signs of TB. Your GP can perform tests to determine the cause.
Conclusion:
The disease is successfully cured with proper tuberculosis treatment. Most people will require a course of antibiotics, usually for about 6 months. Home treatment for TB includes a healthy, well-balanced diet along with regular exercise. If you are in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis, tests will be carried out to see if you are infected. These tests may include a skin test known as Mantoux test, chest X-ray, and blood tests.
Reference: Webmd.com Nlm.nih.gov Nhs.uk
