About Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis can be called as the king of diseases. According to Hindu mythology, the Moon that can be called as the king among the satellites of the earth was afflicted by a curse of Brahma. Brahma is the creator and hence the name is Rajayakshma.
Tuberculosis is one of the most highly contagious diseases to have afflicted mankind.
This is mainly an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs, but also can attack almost any part of the body. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. When the people with TB in their lungs or throat cough, laugh, sneeze, sing, or even talk, the germs that cause TB can be spread into the air. If another person breathes in these germs there is a chance that they will become infected with tuberculosis. Repeated contact is usually required for infection. It is important to understand that there is a difference between being infected with TB and having TB disease. Someone who is infected with TB has the TB germs, or bacteria, in their body. The body`s defenses are protecting them from the germs and they are not sick. This is referred to as latent TB. In other case someone with TB disease is sick and can also spread the disease to other people. At that point of time the affected person with TB disease needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is referred to as active TB.
It is not easy to become infected with tuberculosis. Usually a person has to be close to someone with TB disease for a long period of time. TB is usually spread between family members, close friends, and people who work or live together. TB is spread most easily in closed spaces over a long period of time. However although rare, transmission in an airplane has been documented.
Even if someone becomes infected with tuberculosis, that does not mean they will get TB disease. Most people who become infected do not develop TB disease because their body`s defenses protect them. Most active cases of TB disease result from activating old infection in people with impaired immune systems.
Causes and Symptoms
Tuberculosis or TB is caused by the tiny organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Little lumps or tubercles form in the part affected, and become soft and suppurate as the disease advances. A slight rise in temperature generally occurs in the evening, night sweats, discharge of blood with phlegm, and extensive bleeding from the lungs in the final stages, bring on death. TB may affect the bones, the membranes of the brain that lead to meningitis, or the glands, when it is called scrofula. It may be caused when a person pricks himself with anything sharp infected with the germs, or inhalation of dust particles mixed with the tiny microbe. But the main factor responsible for the disease can be mentioned as the susceptibility to it, due to a constitution weakened by continuous ill health, a lowered power of resistance, heredity, an unhealthy atmosphere, excessive use of intoxicants, over-indulgence in .sex, asthma, and a disease of the metabolism like diabetes. It is also a disease connected with filth and poverty and does not usually attack persons living in clean surroundings and having sufficient means to feed them properly.
In the early stages of the disease, there is an irritating cough, particularly in the morning, either without an expectoration or with a clear mucus or phlegm. The first sign of the disease is blood-flecked phlegm attended by fever in the evenings and below normal temperature in the early morning. There are also night sweats. When the symptoms are aggravated and emaciation has set in, the second stage is supposed to have been reached. If extreme care is not taken and treatment is not initiated, it may spread to the throat and also to the intestines. The terminal stage comes when the illness reaches deep into the lungs and they are full of cavities. The voice of the patient may become husky at this stage; there may be diahorrea and extreme prostration. The patient becomes unable to leave the bed. Death comes because of extensive haemorrhage.
The duration of the illness depends on four factors. These can be mentioned as the intensity of the infection, the age of the patient, the stage at which the disease has been recognized, and the natural resistance of the body.
Types of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a complex disease. It can affect different areas of the human body, such as the lungs, lymph nodes, skeletal system or brain. Different types of Tuberculosis exist, which can be completely curable, but some forms could also lead to death. Tuberculosis may be regarded in two categories namely;
•Latent Tuberculosis: It refers to the condition when the bacteria remains inactive in the body and causes no symptoms while suffering from Tuberculosis.
•Active Tuberculosis: This is when the Tuberculosis bacteria multiply in the body, causing to develop the symptoms of tuberculosis.
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
The first step to diagnosing Tuberculosis is thorough physical examination wherein the doctor checks the lymph nodes for swelling and lung sounds are carefully checked using a stethoscope. Blood and sputum tests may also be taken for laboratory examination.
Treatment of Tuberculosis
The patient should be put on an exclusive fresh fruit diet for 3 or 4 days. However, fruits like Bananas and dried or tinned fruits should not be taken. After the all-fruit diet, the patient should adopt a fruit and milk diet and continue the same for about 4 to 6 weeks. The patient should avoid all devitalised foods such as white bread, white sugar, refined cereals, tinned, canned and preserved foods.
Regular use of radish and Indian gooseberry juice with honey has proved to be an effective remedy for tuberculosis. Its regular use will promote vigour and vitality in the body within a few days. The patient"s vital resistance can be built up by water treatment twice a day. A short hot fomentation with alternate short cold application to the chest, back, and in the stomach region or a neutral immersion bath for an hour just before retiring at night is also beneficial.
The patient should take complete rest of both mind and body. Other beneficial steps towards curing the disease are avoidance of strain, slow massage, deep breathing and light occupation to ensure mental diversion.
Natural Remedy for Tuberculosis
The chief remedial agent needed for the cure of tuberculosis is calcium. Milk, being the richest food source for the supply of organic calcium to the body, should be taken abundantly. During the first few days of the treatment, the bowels should be cleansed on a daily basis with the tepid water enema and afterwards as necessary. Raw Juice Therapy for Tuberculosis : In the natural remedy for tuberculosis, the patient should be put on an exclusive fresh fruit diet for 3 or 4 days. He should have 3 meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits, such as apples, oranges, pineapple, grapes, pears, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas, dried or tinned fruits should not be taken. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or plain water either hot or cold may be taken. Diet Therapy for Tuberculosis : After the all fruit diet, the patient should take on a fruit and milk diet. For this diet, the meals are specifically the same as the all fruit diet, but with milk added to each fruit meal. The patient may commence with a litre of milk the first day and increase by quarter litre on a daily basis up to 2 to 2.5 litres according to how the milk agrees. The fruit and milk diet should be continued for 4 to 6 weeks. After that, the following dietary may be adopted: • Breakfast: Fresh fruits, as obtainable, and milk. Other dried fruits may also be taken, if desired. • Lunch: Steamed vegetables as obtainable, 1 or 2 whole wheat chapatis and a glass of buttermilk. • Dinner: A bowl of raw salad of appropriate vegetables with whole wheat bread and butter. Stewed fruit may be taken for dessert. The patient should avoid all devitalised foods such as white bread, white sugar, refined cereals, puddings and pies, tinned, canned and preserved foods. He should also avoid strong tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, sauces, etc. Home Remedies for Tuberculosis : 1. The custard apple is regarded as a valuable food remedy for tuberculosis. It is said to have the qualities of rejuvenating drugs. 2. Indian gooseberry has proved to be a successful medication for tuberculosis. A tablespoonful each of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning in this situation.Natural Remedy for Tuberculosis, Indian Naturopathy 3. Regular use of radish is also advantageous. 4. Garlic is rich in sulphuric acid that destroys the germs causing TB. Garlic can be eaten raw or cooked. 5. Drumstick has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help eliminate the TB-causing bacteria from the lungs and reduce inflammation resulting from the infection and constant coughing. 6. Black pepper helps cleanse the lungs, which in turn helps alleviate chest pains associated with tuberculosis. Also due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce the inflammation caused by the bacteria and constant coughing. Fry 8 to 10 black peppercorns in ghee. Add a pinch of asafoetida powder and allow the mixture to cool. Divide the mixture into 3 equal parts and have one dose every few hours. 7. Walnuts act as a source of strength and boost the immune system of those suffering from tuberculosis. Combine 2 teaspoons of crushed walnut powder and 1 teaspoon of garlic paste. Add one teaspoon of clarified butter and mix the ingredients thoroughly. Eat this once daily. 8. Mint is very advantageous for treating tuberculosis due to its healing and antibacterial properties. This remedy will help dissolve mucus, revitalize body organs, and nourish the lungs as well as helping to prevent dangerous side effects of medicines taken for tuberculosis. The patient should take complete rest of both mind and body. Fresh air is always imperative in curing the disease and the patient should spend most of the time in the open air and should sleep in a well ventilated room. Sunshine is also very important as tuber bacilli are rapidly killed by exposure to sun rays. Other beneficial steps towards curing the disease are avoidance of nervous tension, slow massage, deep breathing and light occupation to make sure mental recreation. Water Therapy for Tuberculosis : Water treatments are helpful in cases of tuberculosis. The patient"s fundamental resistance can be built up by a cautiously planned graduated cold bath routine twice a day. The intensity of the cold applications should be gradually increased to achieve satisfactory results. However, care must be taken to keep the patient from catching a cool. A short hot fomentation with alternate short cold application to the chest and back, and in the stomach region or a neutral immersion bath ( water temperature 98 to 100 degree F) for an hour just before retiring at night is also advantageous. Yoga Asanas for Tuberculosis : Certain yogic practices are valuable in the treatment of tuberculosis in its early stages. These include asanas like Sarvangasana, Viparita Karani, and Shavasana and Jalneti kriya and Anuloma-Viloma pranayama.
