Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a chronic, contagious bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads to other organs of the body by the blood or lymph system. Though the usual site of the disease is the lungs, other organs may be involved at times. The bacteria generally remain dormant after entering the body, and only about 10 percent of infected individuals actually come down with overt TB. The remaining 90 percent produce TB antibodies, signifying exposure, but they show no signs of infection and cannot spread the disease. Tuberculosis can be classified as: Pulmonary TB: In this kind of TB, the patient discharges the germs along with the sputum (phlegm). It is highly infectious and should receive topmost priority for treatment. Extra-pulmonary TB: In this case any part of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones and joints, the genito-urinary tract, the nervous system (meningitis), intestines, etc. can be affected. Diagnosis is often difficult. This is, however, the least contagious kind of TB. TB is the most common cause of death from infection in developing countries, causing 26 percent of avoidable adult deaths and 6.7 percent of all deaths.

The conditions that should be considered symptomatic of tuberculosis include:

The risk of contracting TB increases with the frequency of contact with people who have the disease, crowded or unsanitary living conditions and poor nutrition. Better sanitary conditions shall therefore be conducive to the minimization of TB. Detection of early cases and prompt treatment are paramount in controlling the spread of tuberculosis.

The tuberculosis infection develops as a result of inhaling infected droplets. The disease is characterized by the development of granulomas (granular tumors) in the infected tissues. It develops in people whose immune systems do not successfully destroy the primary infection, which later on develops into TB. Infants, the elderly, and individuals who are immunocompromised (for example, those with AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, or transplant recipients taking anti-rejection medications) are at higher risk of TB.

As these symptoms appear, the following tests should be performed to detect tuberculosis: Bronchoscopy: It is a diagnostic procedure in which a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose (or mouth) to enable a view of the tracheobronchial tree and to collect bronchial and/or lung secretions. It is also used for biopsy of tissue specimens. Routine Sputum culture: Sputum is a secretion that is produced in the lungs and the bronchi (tubes that carry the air to the lung). This mucus-like secretion may become infected, bloodstained, or contain abnormal cells that may lead to a diagnosis. Auscultation: Stethoscopic physical examination. Open lung biopsy: In lung biopsy, a small piece of the lung tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, and lung diseases.

• Go on a short mucous cleansing liquid diet.
• Then use the following cleansing diet for at least two weeks: 
• Lemon or grape fruit juice and water each morning with 1 teaspoon honey 
• Fresh carrot juice or potassium broth daily 
• Two fresh green salads daily 
• Steamed vegetables with brown rice and tofu or sea food for dinner 
• Cranberry or celery juice before bed

• Move around in areas where fresh air is present considerably
• Pollution filled areas should be avoided
• Get as much as sunlight as possible

• Avoid all chlorofluorocarbons. They are as harmful to your lungs as they are to the atmosphere.
• Avoid tobacco and secondary smoke. Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, away from air pollution
• Take a catnip or chlorophyll enema once a week to clear and heal things.