Pulmonary tuberculosis

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

1. Definition

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a type of TB that affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is a serious infectious disease that can affect not only the lungs but also other parts of the body.

2. Causes / Etiology

TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is usually spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. TB can also be spread through close contact with an infected person. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, are more susceptible to TB.

3. Types or Classification

There are several types of TB, including:

• Pulmonary TB: This is the most common type of TB and affects the lungs.
• Extrapulmonary TB: This type of TB affects other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, or brain.
• Miliary TB: This is a type of TB that spreads through the bloodstream and can affect multiple organs.
• Reactive TB: This type of TB is caused by a strong reaction to the TB bacteria, often in people who have been previously infected.
• Congenital TB: This type of TB is passed from mother to child during pregnancy.

4. Pathology

The process of TB infection can be explained as follows:

Step 1 → The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis enters the lungs through the air. Step 2 → The bacteria multiply and cause inflammation in the lungs. Step 3 → The body's immune system tries to fight off the infection, but the bacteria can survive and multiply, causing damage to the lungs.

5. Clinical Features

The clinical features of pulmonary TB can be divided into general and specific features. General features include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Specific features can include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

6. Complications

TB can cause several complications, including:

• Acute complications: These include pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
• Chronic complications: These include scarring of the lungs, fibrosis, and calcification of the lymph nodes.

7. Diagnosis / Investigations

The diagnosis of pulmonary TB can be made through:

• Routine tests: These include chest X-rays, sputum tests, and blood tests.
• Special tests: These include bronchoscopy, computed tomography (CT) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

8. Management

The management of pulmonary TB includes:

• General management: This includes rest, diet, and hydration.
• Modern treatment: This includes antibiotics and antitubercular medications.
• Dietary advice: This includes a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

9. Homeopathic Therapeutics

Some homeopathic remedies for pulmonary TB include:

• Arsenic albumum:
  • Used for dry, hacking cough.
  • Relieves congestion in the lungs.
  • Good for patients with a history of TB.
  • Symptoms: dry cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
• Ipecacuanha:
  • Relieves nausea and vomiting.
  • Used for coughing up blood and sputum.
  • Good for patients with a history of TB.
  • Symptoms: coughing up blood, nausea, and vomiting.
• Sulphur:
  • Relieves skin symptoms such as itching and rashes.
  • Used for patients with a history of TB.
  • Good for patients with a history of skin problems.
  • Symptoms: itching, rashes, and skin lesions.
• Tuberculinum:
  • Relieves symptoms of TB such as coughing and weakness.
  • Used for patients with a history of TB.
  • Good for patients with a history of respiratory problems.
  • Symptoms: coughing, weakness, and shortness of breath.
• Lycopodium:
  • Relieves symptoms of TB such as coughing and chest pain.
  • Used for patients with a history of TB.
  • Good for patients with a history of respiratory problems.
  • Symptoms: coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.