Tuberculosis in Alternative Medicine

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs. In 15% of patients it affects other areas, causing swollen lymph nodes, pleurisy (inflammation of the membranes around the lungs), and meningitis (inflammation of the inner membranes of the brain and spinal cord). It may also affect the kidneys, urinary tract, genitals, thyroid, bones, and joints. TB in the lungs or throat is the most infectious form.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually there is a time delay between infection and the development of full-blown TB. Many who are infected with TB never develop the disease. In some people it is possible for the TB bacteria to remain inactive for a lifetime without ever causing disease. But in others, especially those with weakened immune systems, the bacteria become active. It is also common for those who are infected to be asymptomatic (without symptoms) for several months to years. TB bacteria that grow in the lungs may cause:

Mild fever, headache, chills, night sweats
Malaise (feeling unwell), fatigue
Loss of appetite, weight loss
Cough, with or without mucus and pus
Coughing up blood
Chest pain from pleurisy
Difficulty breathing
Swollen glands

What Causes It?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes most cases of TB. This bacterium only lives in humans. Two other bacteria cause TB.

They are M. bovis and M. africanum. M. bovis is transmitted by milk from infected cows. This strain of TB is rare, however, because milk is now regularly pasteurized. M. africanum is also rare and occurs primarily in Africa. Those already infected with M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, or M. africanum are most likely to develop active TB within two years of exposure.

TB is spread from one person to another through airborne bacteria. Typically what happens is that a person with TB in the lungs or the throat coughs or sneezes; then, others nearby breathe in the bacteria. When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle into the lungs and begin to grow.

Who's Most At Risk?

Because TB is only spread through inhalation of infected respiratory particles in the air (see section entitled What Causes It?), you are not likely to contract the infection through other means such as handshakes or sharing of dishes and utensils.

Another important fact to remember is that people with TB are most likely to spread it to people with whom they spend the most time-family members, friends, classmates, and coworkers. Those at risk for developing.

Treatment Options Prevention

Prevention of TB begins with rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid spread to noninfected persons.

Those at risk for developing TB following exposure may be given the medication isoniazid to prevent TB.

In countries where TB is common, a vaccine called BCG is usually administered.

From a public health perspective, the most important way to keep TB from spreading is for infected persons to take their medications exactly as prescribed.

Treatment Plan

If suspicious of TB, healthcare providers may begin treatment before all lab tests return, including prescribing more than one anti-TB drug. Emergency treatment may be necessary if, for example, you are coughing up blood.

Drug Therapies

TB bacteria die very slowly. It takes at least 6 months for the medicine to destroy all of the TB bacteria. If you have TB, you will need to take several different drugs, usually for six to nine months. Treatment lasts longer for those who have HIV or have active TB outside of the lungs. You will be tested first for drug resistance to determine the most effective combination of drugs to prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to the drugs. The most common drugs used to fight TB are:

Isoniazid (INH)
Rifampin
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol
Streptomycin

Surgical Procedures

Surgery may be needed to repair bone and joint problems caused by TB that has spread to those areas.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

While it is tempting to think that establishing good nutrition may restore damaged immune function or that dietary supplements may prevent TB infection, effective control of TB depends on appropriate use of medications. Researchers continue, however, to investigate the potential of vitamins and herbs to combat TB.

Nutrition

Patients at risk for vitamin deficiency (malnourished, alcoholics, elderly, pregnant and nursing mothers) or for nerve degeneration (those with diabetes, HIV, or chronic kidney failure) may need vitamin B6. In addition, recent studies have suggested that a diet lacking in certain nutrients may be linked to abnormalities in immune function, resulting in a poor response to TB and to the BCG vaccine, especially among the elderly, children, alcoholics, the homeless, and HIV-infected individuals. These nutrients include:

Protein
Zinc
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Herbs

Garlic (Allium sativum)

The antibacterial properties of garlic are fairly well documented. In vitro studies have demonstrated that garlic extract inhibits the growth of many species of bacteria. However, high concentrations of garlic extract were needed to slow down the growth of M. tuberculosis. Such high levels could prove toxic to humans. While further study is needed, a recent animal study indicated that garlic oil (which is a higher concentration than the extract) also inhibited M. tuberculosis, reducing TB lesions. A combination of garlic extract or garlic oil with anti-TB drugs may eventually prove effective against the disease.

Other herbs that may be helpful include:

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

Tamarisk (Tinospora cordifolia)

Elecampane (Inula helenium)-used traditionally by native American Indians for lung disorders, including TB

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) - used traditionally in Egypt and in modern day Iran for lung infections such as TB

Sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)-test tube studies suggest that active components of this herb inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis

Homeopathy

There have been few studies examining the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for tuberculosis based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

Arsenicum album -for cough and chest pain, particularly from infectious causes; symptoms worsen at night and are often accompanied by fever, chills, weakness, exhaustion, and restlessness; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who often feel scared and anxious

Calcarea carbonica -for chills, drowsiness, perspiration (especially at night), and swollen lymph nodes; this remedy is particularly appropriate for individuals who are susceptible to infection, tend to be stubborn, and crave eggs and cold drinks

Prognosis/Possible Complications

A full course of medication can cure TB in those who do not have a drug-resistant strain. The outcome may be less promising in patients who are elderly, those who have TB that has spread to locations other than the lungs including miliary TB (which spreads through the bloodstream affecting many organ systems), drug-resistant strains of TB, or those with HIV.

Possible complications of TB include:

Development of a drug-resistant strain
TB beyond the lungs, frequently associated with HIV
TB-related meningitis, in children
Pneumothorax (collapse of a lung due to a buildup of gas between the membranes that surround the lungs)
Massive coughing up of blood

Special Considerations

Infants born to mothers with infectious TB should be separated from the mother until she is no longer contagious. The infant should then be tested for TB at four to six weeks and three to four months.

Women can be treated for TB during pregnancy and while breast-feeding but should avoid streptomycin and pyrazinamide.

Treating TB does require common sense in minimizing the spread of the disease to yourself and to others as well as communication and cooperation with your healthcare provider. Since the effective treatment of TB depends on the use of multiple antibiotic drugs for an extended period of time, it is essential that you consult with your healthcare provider before pursuing any complementary or alternative therapies, including taking herbs and vitamin supplements.

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