TB Treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. Standard treatment requires a course of antibiotics that lasts for at least several months; TB bacteria die very slowly. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, several natural therapies can serve as a complement to conventional treatment and improve symptoms. Alternative therapy as a sole means of treatment is not recommended. You should discuss natural treatments with an experienced health care provider.

Standard Treatment

• It is very important to finish your course of treatment and follow all instructions given by your doctor to eradicate the infection. Failure to do so can result in the formation of drug-resistant strains which are much more difficult to treat.

  Standard treatments for TB include a combination of four antibiotics; they include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. As treatment progresses, you will be tested to see how well the particular medications are working. If any of them prove to be ineffective for you, it will be replaced with a second-line treatment. After a few months, you may go off one or two of the medicines, depending on the extent your infection.

  If you have a drug-resistant strain of TB, you will need to take a cocktail of at least four first- and second-line treatments for TB for at least 18 months. In some cases, treatment is required for two years or longer. You might also need surgery to repair lung damage. This form of TB can be fatal if it does not respond to treatment.

Nutrition

• Certain foods and nutritional supplements can enhance the effectiveness of conventional medications and improve symptoms of TB.

  Certain foods are common allergens that can compromise immunity; they include dairy, wheat, soy, corn, preservatives and chemical food additives. If you have TB, your immunity is compromised, so you might want to consider getting tested for food allergies to see if you should avoid any of these foods.

  Increase your intake of foods high in B-vitamins and iron like whole grains, leafy greens and sea vegetables, which are various forms of seaweed including kelp, as well as fruits and vegetables which are high in antioxidants.

  Take a B-complex vitamin daily as well as 1 to 6 grams of vitamin C. If you get diarrhea, it indicates your dose of vitamin C is too high; reduce the dose until the diarrhea subsides. This will indicate your individual tolerance. N-Acetyl Cysteine is a powerful antioxidant and helps breakdown mucous in the lungs; take 600 mg three times a day. Probiotics, which contain the beneficial bacteria found in the intestines, can boost immunity and promote gastrointestinal health, which is often compromised by standard antibiotics; take as directed on the product label. Beta-sitosterol might increase the effectiveness of standard TB drugs; take 60 mg daily.

Herbs and Homeopathy

• Green tea boosts immunity; take 250 to 500 mg daily. Garlic extract stimulates the immune system and is well-known for its antibacterial properties; take 600 to 1,200 mg daily. Discuss this treatment with your doctor if you are using blood-thinning medications. Astragalus, a staple of traditional Chinese medicine, might be of benefit for treating TB bacteria specifically; take 500 mg three times a day. Rhodiola promotes immunity and combats stress; take 300 mg one to three times daily.

  The following homeopathic remedies can address symptoms of TB. Take as directed on the product label. Arsenicum album treats cough and chest pain, particularly when they are a result of an infectious disease. Calcarea carbonica eases chills, drowsiness and perspiration.