There are many diseases that are caused by bacteria, virus, and fungal infections. So, let's discuss one of the bacterial diseases that is caused by bacteria "Mycobacterium tuberculosis". It is a potentially serious infectious Disease. The disease can spread from one person to another through tiny droplets that are released into the air during coughing and sneezing. If the Tuberculosis is not treated at the right time, then it may cause a life-threatening situation.

There are two different situations, one is known as active tuberculosis and another is known as latent tuberculosis as per modern aspect.

1. Active tuberculosis: It is a condition that makes you sick. The condition can spread to others. This tuberculosis occurs in the first few weeks after infection.
2. Latent tuberculosis: It is a condition when you have tuberculosis infection. In this bacterium remain in an inactive state in your body without showing any symptoms. It is also known as inactive tuberculosis.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT ARE MORE COMMON IN TUBERCULOSIS ARE

• Coughing with blood
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Cough persists for more than three weeks
• Chest pain while breathing or coughing
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Chills

Tuberculosis may also affect the other parts of your body like spine, bones, kidneys, and brain.

Ayurvedic view on the disease Tuberculosis: This disease is known as "Rajyakshma" as it firstly affected the Raja Indra. In Charak Samhita, this disease is also known as "Shosh".

अयथाबलमारम्भम वेगसंधारणं क्षयम। यक्ष्मण : कारणं विद्याचतुर्थम विषमाशनम। (च. चि ८ /१३ )

The shloka states that the four reasons for Rajyakshma (Tuberculosis):

1. Ayathabal arambh: Doing extra work as per the capacity of your body.
2. Stopping the urge of urine, feces, etc.
3. Decreased in the production of dhatus like (rasa, rakta, mams etc.)
4. Wrong eating habits these four are the reason for tuberculosis.

क्रोधो यक्ष्मा ज्वरो रोग एकार्थो दुःखसंज्ञक।
यस्मात स राज्ञ : प्रागासीद्र ाजयक्ष्मा ततो मत। (च. चि ८ /११ )

This shloka states the synonyms of Yakshma (tuberculosis): Krodh, Yakshma, jwar, roga, and dukh these all have one meaning and are synonyms. This disease firstly occurred to Raja Indra due to which it is named as "Rajyakshma".

The various synonyms of this disease in Ayurvedic books are:

1. Shosh: It causes dryness of the rasa, rakta, etc dhatus so named as shosh.
2. Kshay: It causes a change in the external and internal activities of the body.
3. Rograt: The disease firstly affected the king, so named as Rograt.
4. Rajyakshma: The king Indra has suffered from this disease first, so named as Rajyakshma.
5. Jwar: Fever is the main symptoms of this disease, so named as Jwar.
6. Dukh: It causes a very difficult state of an individual that creates sorrow feeling so named as dukh.
7. Consumption
8. Pulmonary tuberculosis

SAMPRAPTI OF TUBERCULOSIS

1. Dosha: Tridosha (Vata and Kapha predominant)
2. Dushya: Rasa etc Dhatus (All the dhatus)
3. Srotas: Rasa, Raktvaha
4. Adhisthan: All the body especially lungs
5. Srotodushti types: Sng
6. Swabhav: Darun & Chirkari
7. Agni dushti: Agnimandya
8. Sadhya-asadhyata: Krich sadhya
9. Ashya: Aam Pakvashyotath

Rajyakshma occurs when all the dhatus in the body get dried forming a weak immune system. The bacteria when enters the body immune system is not able to fight with it. In the end, it gives rise to a disease known as "Tuberculosis".

The early Symptoms of Rajyakshyma (Tuberculosis):-

1. Sharirik Purvroop: Rhinitis, weakness, bodyache, vomiting, productive cough, poor appetite, anemia, edema, dyspnoea, excessive sleep.
2. Mansik Purvroop: Excessive indulgement in sexual activities, drinking alcohol, smoking, in dreams watching (river, forests, and birds), extra growth of hair & nails, disliking things etc.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

a). Tri Roopa Rajyakshma: Burning in hands & feet

• Pain in chest & shoulder
• Fever
• Cough
• Haemoptysis

b). Shad Roopa Rajyakshma: Cough, Fever, Hoarseness of voice, diarrhea, anorexia

According to Acharya Sushruta, the signs & symptoms are cough, fever, anorexia, dyspnoea, hoarseness of voice, & haemoptysis.

c). Ekadash Roopa Rajyakshma: According to various Acharya Rajyakshma (Tuberculosis) is of different types:

As per Acharya Charak, signs and symptoms of Ekadash Roopa are:-

• Cough
• Pain in chest & shoulder
• Fever
• Hoarseness of voice
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Dyspnoea
• Diarrhea
• Anorexia
• Mucoid sputum vomiting

As per Acharya Sushruta signs and symptoms of Ekadash Roopa are:-

• Chest and shoulder pain
• Hoarseness of voice
• Contracture of chest muscles
• Fever
• Burning sensation
• Diarrhea
• Anorexia
• Cough

According to the Acharya Charak the four types of Yakshma (Tuberculosis) has different signs and symptoms:-

a). Sahasjanya Yakshma signs and symptoms are:

• Aphonia
• Cough
• Headache
• Anorexia
• Diarrhea
• Hoarseness of voice
• Yawing
• Pain in chest
• Fever
• Haemoptysis

b). Vegadharnjanya Yakshma signs and symptoms are:

• Pain in shoulder
• Cough
• Headache
• Anorexia
• Pain in chest
• Bodyache
• Hoarseness of voice
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Rhinitis

c). Kashyjanya Yaksma sings and symptoms are:

• Shoulder pain
• Headache
• Pain in chest
• Loss of voice
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Bodyache
• Anorexia
• Fever
• Rhinitis
• Dyspnoea

d) Vishmashanjanya Yakshma signs and symptoms are:

• Pain in shoulder
• Headache
• Hoarseness of voice
• Cough
• Anorexia
• Haemetemesis
• Excessive salivation
• Fever
• Pain in chest
• Vomiting
• Rhinitis

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS

In Ayurveda, there are various herbs that treat this disease from its roots. Planet Ayurveda offers Praanrakshak churna, Kas-har churna, and Tulsi capsules for the proper treatment of Tuberculosis. These three products contain standardized extracts of numerous herbs that give effective results.

1. Praanrakshak Churna

This herbal churna contain herbs like Shirish (Albezzia lebbock), Vaasa (Adhatoda vasica), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica), Kantkari (Solanum xanthocarpum) etc that gives effective result in tuberculosis. As the name, Praanrakshak suggest it take care of your overall health. The churna deals with all signs and symptoms associated with this disease.

Dosage: One to two teaspoonful thrice daily with lukewarm water half an hour after meals.

2. Kaas-Har Churna

This churna is an effective remedy for cough and cold. The ingredients used for its preparation are Pippali (Piper longum), Ela (Eletteria cardamomum), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica) etc. As the churna balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body.
It acts as a vasodilator and improves blood circulation in the lungs. It cleans the respiratory tract by relieving cough. The usage of this churna builds a strong immune system. All signs and symptoms related to tuberculosis are managed with the regular use of this churna.

Dosage: Take one to two teaspoonful twice daily with lukewarm water half an hour after meals.

3. Tulsi Capsules

These capsules boost up the immunity in tuberculosis patients. The standardized extract of herb Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is used for the preparation of capsules. Tulsi capsules balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), the body tissues (dhatus), and the body excreta (malas). If all these are in balance than tuberculosis is automatically treated.

Dosage: One to two capsules twice daily with plain water half an hour after meals.

HEALTHY TIPS FOR A TUBERCULOSIS PATIENT

1. Eat fresh Amla fruit or drink its juice daily as it will build a healthy immune system.
2. You can also eat pineapple fruit or drink its juice for getting recovery from tuberculosis.
3. Drink fresh juice of bottle gourd daily as it will increase immunity and helps to fight against bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.
4. Soup of drumsticks is very good for tuberculosis patients.
5. Include green vegetables and fresh fruit in your diet. Avoid junk and processed food items.
6. Do perform yoga and meditation daily.