TUBERCULOSIS – Few Important Facts You Need to Know!

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most dreadful diseases. One of the major health problem in India and often rated as the number one killer. It affects 8-9 million people at any time and over five lakh people die of TB every year in this country. It has a very ancient origin and mainly affects the lungs or lymph glands, but can affect other organs in the body. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria, behind the disease. However, it is difficult to detect in the early stages and people can be infected weeks before, they begin to see their symptoms. When a person breathes in the air, the bacterium which is present at that time can go in the lungs and begin to grow and from there it can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. People with low immunity or those who have immune suppression are more prone to TB, as it makes the ground for the bacteria to act. It can also spread in kidney or spine but that is not an infectious one. More common is the TB of lungs. SYMPTOMS OF TB

• Persistent dry cough that lasts for more than three weeks and which brings up bloody phlegm.
• Weight loss is one of the major outcomes of the disease. That is why TB is also known as consumption as it reduces the body to a skeleton.
• Night sweats, hoarseness of voice and difficulty in breathing.
• High temperature (fever) with the loss of appetite, tiredness, and fatigue.
• Swellings in the neck - swollen lymph glands are usually a sign of infection

CAN WE CURE THE TUBERCULOSIS? Treatment of TB is very difficult, as the cell wall and chemical composition of bacteria are rigid to act on by antibiotics. It requires a long time say for about 6-24 months to completely cure the disease. Multi-drug resistance is often seen in cases of TB. Two types of TB seen are Latent and Active. In cases with latent TB, your doctor will prescribe you drugs Isoniazid and Rifampin. Isoniazid to be taken for 9 months and Rifampin for 4 months. In active form of TB disease, Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Rifampin are advised. These antibiotics are usually taken for 6-9 months. Your doctor may order a test that shows which antibiotics will kill the strain of TB. Based on the results, he will tell you to take three or four medications for 2 months. Afterward, you'll take two medications for 4 to 7 months. You shall probably start to feel better after a few weeks of treatment. But only a doctor will be able to tell you that you are still contagious or not. Flat 20% OFF on Prescribed Medicines PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE

• Avoid close contact with people who are suffering from TB
• Keep a tab to exercise regularly to increase your immunity and eat healthy balanced diet. Increase your amount of protein intake.
• Always maintain proper hygiene and sanitation by washing hands before the meals.
• Take proper sleep and keep yourself away from stress to stay healthy and prevent diseases.
• Last but not the least, don't stop your medicines in between unless doctor asks you to do so, as it may lead to recurrence.