Symptoms of tuberculosis may not occur for some time, the
tuberculosis bacteria move so slowly that it can take many years for
some symptoms to show. It is only once this bacteria has got to the
lungs that any symptoms will start.
If tuberculosis only affects the lungs the symptoms you have may include;
Feeling tired a lot more than usual,
Mild to severe fever,
Decreased appetite,
Unexplained weight loss,
Getting breathless, this may get worse over time.
Coughing up phlegm and possibly even blood.
You feel unwell.
Because these symptoms are similar to those you would suffer with a common cold it is important that if the symptoms do not fade after 3 - 4 weeks that you see a doctor. Tuberculosis of the lungs is known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Sometimes tuberculosis can spread to other parts of the body, this is known as extra pulmonary tuberculosis. If a person has a low immune system they are more likely to develop extra pulmonary tuberculosis, after the lungs have been affected.
Tuberculosis can spread to other body parts such as;
Nervous system,
Bladder,
Reproductive organs,
Lymph nodes,
Joints and bones.
Digestive tract.
If tuberculosis has spread to other body parts you may experience symptoms such as;
Swollen lymph nodes,
Discharge seeping from the skin.
Aches and pains in the bones,
Slight curvature of the bone,
Decreased movement and feeling,
Bones may fracture easily.
Pain in the abdomen,
Loss of blood from the anus,
Diarrhoea
Stinging or burning whilst urinating,
Noticeable blood in the urine,
Frequent urination,
Pains in the groin area,
Mild to severe headaches,
Feeling and being sick,
Stiffness of the neck,
Mental changes such as memory problems or confusion,
Blurry vision,
Convulsions.
To accurately diagnose tuberculosis your doctor may wish to refer you for the appropriate tests. These tests can vary, so if the condition is suspected to be severe you may require more detailed tests and examinations.
If you suffer from pulmonary tuberculosis the test you may have is a simple chest x-ray, this will pick up any changes to the lungs, samples of phlegm will also be tested for tuberculosis bacteria.
If your doctor suspects that you may have extra pulmonary tuberculosis, the test will differ from above. These tests may include a CT scan, this is very much like an x-ray but it is many different layers that are built up to show an accurate picture of your body from the inside. You may be required to have an MRI scan, this involves radio waves and magnetic pulses to build up a detailed picture of your insides.
In some cases an ultrasound scan may be needed, this is done with sound waves and can pick up on fluid, blood flow etc. some simple test for tuberculosis include blood and urine tests, or a biopsy done on a small amount of tissue. This will usually be taken from the area that is affected by tuberculosis.
Symptoms of tuberculosis are very similar to a cold, if you notice that the symptoms of your cold just will not go away consult your doctor, he may prescribe a course of antibiotics for a week and if the problem gets no better he may then refer you for the appropriate tests to be done.
If tuberculosis only affects the lungs the symptoms you have may include;
Feeling tired a lot more than usual,
Mild to severe fever,
Decreased appetite,
Unexplained weight loss,
Getting breathless, this may get worse over time.
Coughing up phlegm and possibly even blood.
You feel unwell.
Because these symptoms are similar to those you would suffer with a common cold it is important that if the symptoms do not fade after 3 - 4 weeks that you see a doctor. Tuberculosis of the lungs is known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Sometimes tuberculosis can spread to other parts of the body, this is known as extra pulmonary tuberculosis. If a person has a low immune system they are more likely to develop extra pulmonary tuberculosis, after the lungs have been affected.
Tuberculosis can spread to other body parts such as;
Nervous system,
Bladder,
Reproductive organs,
Lymph nodes,
Joints and bones.
Digestive tract.
If tuberculosis has spread to other body parts you may experience symptoms such as;
Swollen lymph nodes,
Discharge seeping from the skin.
Aches and pains in the bones,
Slight curvature of the bone,
Decreased movement and feeling,
Bones may fracture easily.
Pain in the abdomen,
Loss of blood from the anus,
Diarrhoea
Stinging or burning whilst urinating,
Noticeable blood in the urine,
Frequent urination,
Pains in the groin area,
Mild to severe headaches,
Feeling and being sick,
Stiffness of the neck,
Mental changes such as memory problems or confusion,
Blurry vision,
Convulsions.
To accurately diagnose tuberculosis your doctor may wish to refer you for the appropriate tests. These tests can vary, so if the condition is suspected to be severe you may require more detailed tests and examinations.
If you suffer from pulmonary tuberculosis the test you may have is a simple chest x-ray, this will pick up any changes to the lungs, samples of phlegm will also be tested for tuberculosis bacteria.
If your doctor suspects that you may have extra pulmonary tuberculosis, the test will differ from above. These tests may include a CT scan, this is very much like an x-ray but it is many different layers that are built up to show an accurate picture of your body from the inside. You may be required to have an MRI scan, this involves radio waves and magnetic pulses to build up a detailed picture of your insides.
In some cases an ultrasound scan may be needed, this is done with sound waves and can pick up on fluid, blood flow etc. some simple test for tuberculosis include blood and urine tests, or a biopsy done on a small amount of tissue. This will usually be taken from the area that is affected by tuberculosis.
Symptoms of tuberculosis are very similar to a cold, if you notice that the symptoms of your cold just will not go away consult your doctor, he may prescribe a course of antibiotics for a week and if the problem gets no better he may then refer you for the appropriate tests to be done.
For further information on Symptoms Of Tuberculosis then please visit my health ezines site for detailed information not only on this disease but many other health related topics.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Maloney
No comments:
Post a Comment