| The chief therapeutic agent needed for the | | | | acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and avoid or limit |
| treatment of tuberculosis is calcium. Milk is the richest | | | | alcohol use. Both greatly increase your risk of liver |
| food source for the supply of organic calcium to the | | | | damage. |
| body and should be taken liberally. In fact an | | | | The beginning phase of treatment is crucial for |
| exclusive milk diet is considered highly valuable in | | | | preventing the emergence of drug resistance and |
| tuberculosis. However, a preparatory fast for three | | | | ensuring a good outcome. Six months is the minimum |
| days, consisting of raw juices, preferably, orange | | | | acceptable duration of treatment for all adults and |
| juice, is essential before the milk diet is begun. The | | | | children with culture-positive TB.Drug resistance may |
| procedure is to take half a glass of orange juice | | | | be either primary or acquired. Primary resistance |
| diluted with an equal quantity of water every two | | | | occurs in patients who have had no previous |
| hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the full milk diet, the | | | | antimycobacterial treatment. Acquired resistance |
| patient should have a glass of milk every two hours | | | | occurs in patients who have been treated in the |
| from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first day, followed by a | | | | past, and it is usually is a result of non-adherence to |
| glass and a half every hour on the second day. | | | | the recommended regimen or incorrect prescribing. |
| Avoid drinking alcohol or taking acetaminophen (brand | | | | Alcohol can increase drug side effects and toxicity |
| name: Tylenol) while you're taking the tuberculosis | | | | because both can affect the liver. Avoid drinking |
| medicine. Tell your doctor about any other medicines | | | | alcohol while on tuberculosis treatment. |
| you may be taking. Your doctor may also order | | | | Indian gooseberry (amla) has proved beneficial in |
| several sputum and blood tests to be done while you | | | | treating Tuberculosis. Mix 1 tbsp each of amla juice |
| are being treated for tuberculosis. (Sputum is phlegm | | | | and honey and consume it every morning. |
| coughed up from deep inside the lungs.) These tests | | | | Regular use of cooked bottle gourd helps in |
| can be done by the nurse or at a clinic. | | | | developing immunity against tuberculosis germs. A |
| If tests show that you have TB infection but not | | | | teaspoon of mint juice, mixed with two teaspoons of |
| active disease, your doctor may recommend | | | | pure malt vinegar, an equal quantity of honey, and |
| preventive drug therapy to destroy dormant bacteria | | | | about 120 ml carrot juice should be given thrice daily |
| that might become active in the future. In that case, | | | | in the treatment of tuberculosis. |
| you're likely to receive a daily dose of the TB | | | | Custard apple is one of the most valuable remedies |
| medication ionized (INH). For treatment to be | | | | for tuberculosis. The pulp of two custard apples and |
| effective, you usually take INH for six to nine | | | | twenty five seedless raisins should be boiled in water |
| months. Long-term use can cause side effects, | | | | till about one-third of water is left. it should be filtered |
| including the life-threatening liver disease hepatitis. For | | | | and mixed with two teaspoons of powdered sugar |
| that reason, your doctor will monitor you closely | | | | candy and a quarter teaspoon each of the powder |
| while you're taking INH. During treatment, avoid using | | | | of cardamom and cinnamon. |