DYNAMIC HEALTH LINK : Tips to Stay Away From Tuberculosis

Avoid drinking alcohol or taking acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) while you're taking the tuberculosis medicine. Tell your doctor about any other medicines you may be taking. Your doctor may also order several sputum and blood tests to be done while you are being treated for tuberculosis. (Sputum is phlegm coughed up from deep inside the lungs.) These tests can be done by the nurse or at a clinic.

If tests show that you have TB infection but not active disease, your doctor may recommend preventive drug therapy to destroy dormant bacteria that might become active in the future. In that case, you're likely to receive a daily dose of the TB medication ionized (INH). For treatment to be effective, you usually take INH for six to nine months. Long-term use can cause side effects, including the life-threatening liver disease hepatitis. For that reason, your doctor will monitor you closely while you're taking INH. During treatment, avoid using acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and avoid or limit alcohol use. Both greatly increase your risk of liver damage.

The beginning phase of treatment is crucial for preventing the emergence of drug resistance and ensuring a good outcome. Six months is the minimum acceptable duration of treatment for all adults and children with culture-positive TB.Drug resistance may be either primary or acquired. Primary resistance occurs in patients who have had no previous antimycobacterial treatment. Acquired resistance occurs in patients who have been treated in the past, and it is usually is a result of non-adherence to the recommended regimen or incorrect prescribing.

Alcohol can increase drug side effects and toxicity because both can affect the liver. Avoid drinking alcohol while on tuberculosis treatment.

Indian gooseberry (amla) has proved beneficial in treating Tuberculosis. Mix 1 tbsp each of amla juice and honey and consume it every morning.

Regular use of cooked bottle gourd helps in developing immunity against tuberculosis germs. A teaspoon of mint juice, mixed with two teaspoons of pure malt vinegar, an equal quantity of honey, and about 120 ml carrot juice should be given thrice daily in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Custard apple is one of the most valuable remedies for tuberculosis. The pulp of two custard apples and twenty five seedless raisins should be boiled in water till about one-third of water is left. it should be filtered and mixed with two teaspoons of powdered sugar candy and a quarter teaspoon each of the powder of cardamom and cinnamon.