Tuberculosis of the lung: symptoms, causes and treatment of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the lung belongs to an infectious disease and is caused by a special kind of mycobacteria.
Not so long ago, this disease was considered incurable, but to date, modern medicine offers a wide range of all kinds of treatments, which in most cases give a positive result.
In addition, given the fact that tuberculosis is very contagious, much attention nowadays is paid to preventive measures.
A disease called tuberculosis develops due to the entry into the human body of a specific type of pathogen, a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium, capable of infecting not only humans, but also other mammals. This bacterium was first discovered and discovered at the end of the 19th century by the German physician Robert Koch, so it is often possible to find its other name - Koch's stick.
Mycobacterium can penetrate the human body through various pathways. Most often, infection occurs through the airborne droplet path, but an alimentary, contact and transplacental mode of transmission is also possible. Regardless of the method of infection, Koch's stick settles in the lymph nodes, from where it spreads to other organs, in particular, enters the lungs.
The fact that a person is infected with mycobacteria does not yet confirm that he will necessarily fall ill with tuberculosis. With normal, healthy immunity, the body begins to fight and does not allow the reproduction and distribution of bacteria.
First of all, the disease is divided into primary and secondary tuberculosis.
Primary develops after primary infection with mycobacteria. This kind of ailment, especially if a person has suffered it at a young age, can disappear even without special therapy. However, in such a situation, the lungs remain petrified, in which a small number of viable bacteria are kept.
In case of their activation, the patient is diagnosed with secondary pulmonary tuberculosis. It is characterized by broncho- and lymphogenous spread. Also, the ailment is classified according to the type depending on the degree of prevalence.
1) Focal( is more often localized in one lung, characterized by the presence of foci up to 1 cm in size)
- 2) Acute( formed as a result of the breakthrough of one or more foci into the bloodstream)
- 3) Infiltrative-pneumonic( develops asexacerbation of inflammation of foci in secondary tuberculosis)
- 4) Hematogenous disseminated( tuberculosis foci formed along the vascular branches)
- 5) Caseous pneumonia( one of the most severe forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, which leads to necrosis
- 6) Fibrous-cavernous( characterized by severe course, presence of fibrotic changes and lung metastasis)
- 7) Tuberculoma of the lungs( a form of pulmonary tuberculosis that resembles a tumor)
- 8) Caverivic( develops in the late stages of the disease, leads tocavern formation)
- 9) Cirrhotic( with this form, complete destruction of the tissues of the affected organ occurs)
- 10) Tuberculous pleurisy( considered complication of pulmonary tuberculosis, when infection through various pathways passes topleura)
A distinctive feature of pulmonary tuberculosis is the fact that it may not manifest itself for quite some time. Most often, changes in the lungs can be detected on a planned fluorography.
The first symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults are characteristic of many diseases. The patient may notice a constant increase in temperature to a subfebrile level, in some cases also increase lymph nodes. A person is worried about weakness and lethargy, lack of appetite and insomnia. Very often such people lose weight for no apparent reason.
In case the disease progresses, specific symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis appear on the part of the respiratory system. The patient is diagnosed with shortness of breath, pain in the chest. Also, a person has a private cough, usually with phlegm. Sometimes in the sputum you can observe the admixture of blood.
Considering the seriousness of pulmonary tuberculosis, timely diagnosis of this disease in adults is very important. Tuberculosis of the lungs is important to distinguish from other respiratory diseases: pneumonia, acute viral infection, influenza.
If a person is suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, he is advised to go through several stages of diagnosis. First, such people are shown X-ray examination. Usually, in such cases, chest X-rays are performed. In most cases, it is this examination that helps determine the changes in the lungs that are characteristic of the picture of tuberculosis. However, the result of radiography alone is not the final diagnosis and signals only the presence of a problem that needs further research.
A very important stage in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is laboratory research. Most often, microscopy and bacteriological examination of the sputum smear are carried out. Such tests help determine the disease early on. It is very important for this analysis to collect sputum properly. According to the rules, she meets for two days, and the patient is in a special medical institution all this time.
In addition to sputum examination and fluorography, additional research methods may be required. In particular, when suspected of tuberculosis, bronchoscopy is often performed, as well as a biopsy of the lung or pleural tissue.
Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis is usually a very long-term exercise. It is extremely important that the therapy is continuous, otherwise the chances of recovery are significantly reduced. Usually from the beginning of treatment to full recovery is from half a year to 18 months. The patient is recommended during intensive drug therapy is in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.
To date, the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults is carried out using a number of drugs that have a negative effect on mycobacteria. Usually a combination of several means is used. For example, the three-component treatment regimen includes para-aminosalicylic acid, streptomycin, isoniazid, and the four-component isoniazid, streptomycin, ribabutin and pyrazinamide. If a scheme of five components is used, then to the last list add any derivatives of fluoroquinolone, most often ciprofloxacin.
In addition to the main therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis, a number of additional drugs are also prescribed to improve the patient's condition and accelerate recovery. In particular, immunomodulators and detoxification agents( acetylcysteine, rheosorbilact) are used. Great value is given to vitamin therapy.
In severe or neglected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis the patient may be shown surgical treatment. In modern medicine, the following types of operations are used:
For a long time, tuberculosis was a disease of socially unprotected groups of people who, due to poor living conditions, had weak immunity. Today the situation has changed dramatically, as the standard of living has improved. However, despite the fact that such a pathology is diagnosed more and more rarely, the risk of catching an infection is quite high. That is why the prevention of tuberculosis is one of the most important tasks of modern medicine.
Such vaccination significantly reduces the possibility of infection of the child, and also protects him from severe and generalized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Repeated vaccination is usually done at 7, and then at 14 years.
To detect early primary infection with Koch's stick, the Mantoux test is also routinely performed for children. During this procedure, a small dose of tuberculin is injected subcutaneously. The Mantoux test is absolutely harmless and with a positive result, which manifests itself in the form of redness and swelling in the area of the injection, indicates a possible presence in the body of mycobacteria.
In the prevention of tuberculosis, planned fluorography is very important. Doctors recommend doing it at least once a year. It allows to identify this disease, as well as other diseases of the lungs and heart, at the earliest stages, which allows to take appropriate measures and immediately begin treatment.
Since tuberculosis belongs to infectious diseases, in order to avoid the epidemic, a patient with an active form of illness is isolated from others. All people who have been in contact with the patient are checked for the presence of a pathogen. The rooms are treated with a chlorinated solution.
Preventive measures designed to prevent primary infection by this ailment also require compliance with simple and accessible rules that help to minimize the possibility of infection. First, it is recommended to adhere to the right and full nutrition.
Secondly, to observe personal hygiene, to regularly clean the house, to ventilate the premises. To increase the defenses of the body should also avoid stress, get rid of such harmful habits as smoking or drinking alcohol.
Not so long ago, this disease was considered incurable, but to date, modern medicine offers a wide range of all kinds of treatments, which in most cases give a positive result.
In addition, given the fact that tuberculosis is very contagious, much attention nowadays is paid to preventive measures.
Causes of pulmonary tuberculosis
A disease called tuberculosis develops due to the entry into the human body of a specific type of pathogen, a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium, capable of infecting not only humans, but also other mammals. This bacterium was first discovered and discovered at the end of the 19th century by the German physician Robert Koch, so it is often possible to find its other name - Koch's stick.
Mycobacterium can penetrate the human body through various pathways. Most often, infection occurs through the airborne droplet path, but an alimentary, contact and transplacental mode of transmission is also possible. Regardless of the method of infection, Koch's stick settles in the lymph nodes, from where it spreads to other organs, in particular, enters the lungs.
The fact that a person is infected with mycobacteria does not yet confirm that he will necessarily fall ill with tuberculosis. With normal, healthy immunity, the body begins to fight and does not allow the reproduction and distribution of bacteria.
Classification of
First of all, the disease is divided into primary and secondary tuberculosis.
Primary develops after primary infection with mycobacteria. This kind of ailment, especially if a person has suffered it at a young age, can disappear even without special therapy. However, in such a situation, the lungs remain petrified, in which a small number of viable bacteria are kept.
In case of their activation, the patient is diagnosed with secondary pulmonary tuberculosis. It is characterized by broncho- and lymphogenous spread. Also, the ailment is classified according to the type depending on the degree of prevalence.
1) Focal( is more often localized in one lung, characterized by the presence of foci up to 1 cm in size)
Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults
A distinctive feature of pulmonary tuberculosis is the fact that it may not manifest itself for quite some time. Most often, changes in the lungs can be detected on a planned fluorography.
The first symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults are characteristic of many diseases. The patient may notice a constant increase in temperature to a subfebrile level, in some cases also increase lymph nodes. A person is worried about weakness and lethargy, lack of appetite and insomnia. Very often such people lose weight for no apparent reason.
In case the disease progresses, specific symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis appear on the part of the respiratory system. The patient is diagnosed with shortness of breath, pain in the chest. Also, a person has a private cough, usually with phlegm. Sometimes in the sputum you can observe the admixture of blood.
Diagnostics
Considering the seriousness of pulmonary tuberculosis, timely diagnosis of this disease in adults is very important. Tuberculosis of the lungs is important to distinguish from other respiratory diseases: pneumonia, acute viral infection, influenza.
If a person is suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, he is advised to go through several stages of diagnosis. First, such people are shown X-ray examination. Usually, in such cases, chest X-rays are performed. In most cases, it is this examination that helps determine the changes in the lungs that are characteristic of the picture of tuberculosis. However, the result of radiography alone is not the final diagnosis and signals only the presence of a problem that needs further research.
A very important stage in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is laboratory research. Most often, microscopy and bacteriological examination of the sputum smear are carried out. Such tests help determine the disease early on. It is very important for this analysis to collect sputum properly. According to the rules, she meets for two days, and the patient is in a special medical institution all this time.
In addition to sputum examination and fluorography, additional research methods may be required. In particular, when suspected of tuberculosis, bronchoscopy is often performed, as well as a biopsy of the lung or pleural tissue.
Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis is usually a very long-term exercise. It is extremely important that the therapy is continuous, otherwise the chances of recovery are significantly reduced. Usually from the beginning of treatment to full recovery is from half a year to 18 months. The patient is recommended during intensive drug therapy is in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.
To date, the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults is carried out using a number of drugs that have a negative effect on mycobacteria. Usually a combination of several means is used. For example, the three-component treatment regimen includes para-aminosalicylic acid, streptomycin, isoniazid, and the four-component isoniazid, streptomycin, ribabutin and pyrazinamide. If a scheme of five components is used, then to the last list add any derivatives of fluoroquinolone, most often ciprofloxacin.
In addition to the main therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis, a number of additional drugs are also prescribed to improve the patient's condition and accelerate recovery. In particular, immunomodulators and detoxification agents( acetylcysteine, rheosorbilact) are used. Great value is given to vitamin therapy.
In severe or neglected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis the patient may be shown surgical treatment. In modern medicine, the following types of operations are used:
- pneukectomy
- resection of the lung
- bilobectomy
- lobectomy
- cavernectomy
- collapse
Prevention
For a long time, tuberculosis was a disease of socially unprotected groups of people who, due to poor living conditions, had weak immunity. Today the situation has changed dramatically, as the standard of living has improved. However, despite the fact that such a pathology is diagnosed more and more rarely, the risk of catching an infection is quite high. That is why the prevention of tuberculosis is one of the most important tasks of modern medicine.
Preventive measures to prevent disease include, first of all, routine vaccination with BCG vaccine. It begins to do for 3 day life for all young children.
Such vaccination significantly reduces the possibility of infection of the child, and also protects him from severe and generalized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Repeated vaccination is usually done at 7, and then at 14 years.
To detect early primary infection with Koch's stick, the Mantoux test is also routinely performed for children. During this procedure, a small dose of tuberculin is injected subcutaneously. The Mantoux test is absolutely harmless and with a positive result, which manifests itself in the form of redness and swelling in the area of the injection, indicates a possible presence in the body of mycobacteria.
In the prevention of tuberculosis, planned fluorography is very important. Doctors recommend doing it at least once a year. It allows to identify this disease, as well as other diseases of the lungs and heart, at the earliest stages, which allows to take appropriate measures and immediately begin treatment.
Since tuberculosis belongs to infectious diseases, in order to avoid the epidemic, a patient with an active form of illness is isolated from others. All people who have been in contact with the patient are checked for the presence of a pathogen. The rooms are treated with a chlorinated solution.
Preventive measures designed to prevent primary infection by this ailment also require compliance with simple and accessible rules that help to minimize the possibility of infection. First, it is recommended to adhere to the right and full nutrition.
Secondly, to observe personal hygiene, to regularly clean the house, to ventilate the premises. To increase the defenses of the body should also avoid stress, get rid of such harmful habits as smoking or drinking alcohol.