Complications of tuberculosis you should know about

Are you suffering from tuberculosis (TB)? Get treated immediately to avoid its detrimental health complications.

Tuberculosis is a life-threatening infectious diseases which still accounts to a mortality rate in India. With every two patients succumbing to the dreadful disease almost every five minutes, the situation in the country is worsening every year. Although there has been a significant advancement in the treatment approaches for tuberculosis, late detection and improper treatment of this condition may lead to severe complications. These can range from mild to severe health complications that might also lead to death. Here are a few complications of the disease you should know about.

MDR tuberculosis: In case the patient stops taking the drugs midway (or doesn't complete the course) the chances of TB causing organism becoming resistant are high. And if this happens, then preventing the progression of the disease is difficult.

Spreading of the disease to other organs: If tuberculosis is not detected early, the chance of this lung disease spreading to other parts of the body is extremely high. This is because the bacteria may travel through the bloodstream causing infection in other organs in the body.

Meningitis: Children who suffer from TB are highly susceptible to suffering from meningitis (inflammation and infection of the lining of the brain). This is usually seen in children who have not been treated for the disease, making diagnosing and treating this condition early all the more important.

Permanent lung damage: If not treated early, tuberculosis can lead to permanent damage to your lungs. In rare cases, build-up of gas in the lungs can result in the collapse of the organ that may further worsen the condition.

Bone and joint problem: Stiffness in joints, spine problems and back pain are some common health complications seen in these patients. In severe cases, people suffering from tuberculosis also experience joint damage in the knees and hips.

Liver or kidney inflammation: In some cases, people suffering from this disease suffer from inflammation in the liver or kidneys. This is because; in the process of removing impurities present in the bloodstream, the liver and the kidney might get affected.

Cardiac problems: In rare cases, tuberculosis can interfere with the heart s ability to pump blood to various organs of the body by affecting tissues that surround the organ. This condition known as cardiac tamponade may lead to death of the individual.

Image Source: Getty Images

---

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.