Abdominal Tuberculosis

Abdominal tuberculosis is a type of tuberculosis that affects the abdominal organs, including the intestines, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

There are several types of abdominal tuberculosis, including:

Intestinal tuberculosis: This is the most common type of abdominal tuberculosis and affects the small intestine, large intestine, or both.
Peritoneal tuberculosis: This type of tuberculosis affects the lining of the abdominal cavity and can cause adhesions and scar tissue.
Mesenteric tuberculosis: This type of tuberculosis affects the mesentery, which is the fold of tissue that attaches the intestines to the back of the abdominal wall.
Liver and spleen tuberculosis: This type of tuberculosis affects the liver and spleen and can cause cirrhosis, fibrosis, or abscesses.

The causes of abdominal tuberculosis include:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: This is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
Infection: Abdominal tuberculosis can be caused by inhaling the bacteria and it then infects the abdominal organs.
Immune system: People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to abdominal tuberculosis.

The pathophysiology of abdominal tuberculosis involves the following steps:

1 → Inhaling the bacteria → Infection of the lungs → Spread of the bacteria to the abdominal organs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

The clinical features of abdominal tuberculosis include:

Abdominal pain: This is the most common symptom of abdominal tuberculosis and can be severe and persistent.
Weight loss: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause weight loss due to malabsorption of nutrients.
Diarrhea or constipation: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause changes in bowel habits.
Abdominal distension: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause the abdomen to become swollen and distended.
Vomiting: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause vomiting.
Blood in stool: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause blood to appear in the stool.

The investigations for abdominal tuberculosis include:

Endoscopy: This is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the digestive tract using a flexible tube with a camera and light on the end.
Colonoscopy: This is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the colon and rectum using a flexible tube with a camera and light on the end.
Biopsy: This is a procedure that involves removing a sample of tissue from the affected area for examination under a microscope.
Imaging tests: These include X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, which can help diagnose abdominal tuberculosis.

The imaging findings of abdominal tuberculosis include:

Abdominal lymphadenopathy: This is the enlargement of lymph nodes in the abdomen.
Intestinal thickening: This is the thickening of the intestinal wall due to inflammation.
Peritoneal thickening: This is the thickening of the lining of the abdominal cavity due to inflammation.
Liver and spleen involvement: This can be seen on imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans.

The homoeopathic medicines used to treat abdominal tuberculosis include:

Calcarea carbonica: This medicine is used to treat abdominal tuberculosis that affects the intestines.
Calcarea phosphorica: This medicine is used to treat abdominal tuberculosis that affects the liver and spleen.
Arsenicum album: This medicine is used to treat abdominal tuberculosis that causes diarrhea and vomiting.
Phosphorus: This medicine is used to treat abdominal tuberculosis that causes abdominal pain and distension.

The complications of abdominal tuberculosis include:

Malnutrition: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause malnutrition due to malabsorption of nutrients.
Weight loss: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause weight loss.
Anemia: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause anemia due to malabsorption of iron.
Bowel obstruction: Abdominal tuberculosis can cause bowel obstruction due to adhesions and scar tissue.

The management of abdominal tuberculosis involves:

Antibiotics: These are used to treat the infection.
Surgery: This may be necessary to remove affected tissue or to relieve bowel obstruction.
Nutritional support: This is necessary to prevent malnutrition and weight loss.
Rest: Rest is necessary to help the body recover from the infection.

The treatment of abdominal tuberculosis involves:

Antibiotics: These are used to treat the infection.
Surgery: This may be necessary to remove affected tissue or to relieve bowel obstruction.
Nutritional support: This is necessary to prevent malnutrition and weight loss.
Homoeopathic medicines: These may be used to treat abdominal tuberculosis, especially in combination with antibiotics and surgery.

ABDOMINAL TUBERCULOSIS