Precautions for tuberculosis in the elderly

Tuberculosis is a common chronic disease. In recent years, the incidence of tuberculosis among the elderly has been increasing both at home and abroad. Elderly people are often not correctly diagnosed with tuberculosis, which often worsens their condition and delays the best time for treatment. Some people are not even found to have pulmonary tuberculosis until the autopsy. The early symptom of pulmonary tuberculosis is constant coughing.

The method of treating pulmonary tuberculosis for the elderly is the same as that for other age groups, and the main principle followed is "early, combined, appropriate, regular, and full course". However, due to the low rate of elderly people taking medicines on time and regularly, the treatment of tuberculosis in the elderly is not ideal.

Elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis should take anti-tuberculosis drugs as prescribed by the doctor and have their sputum checked regularly. The liver and kidney functions of the elderly are more easily damaged and should be checked regularly. There is nothing special about what they eat and they should eat a light diet. Tuberculosis is a wasting disease and you should supplement more protein and get enough rest. There are no folk remedies. If the sputum is positive for bacteria, pay attention to cross-infection between family members to prevent infection and pay attention to ventilation of the room.

Diet therapy for tuberculosis in the elderly:

(1) 100g black-bone chicken, 9g cordyceps sinensis, and 50g Chinese yam. Cook together and eat soup frequently. This prescription has the effects of nourishing the lungs, strengthening the spleen and benefiting the kidneys. It is suitable for elderly people with pulmonary tuberculosis who suffer from persistent hot flashes and weight loss.

(2) 250g of turtle meat, 9g of Stemona tuber, 9g of Radix Rehmanniae, 24g of Radix Rehmanniae, and 9g of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae. Decoction in water, remove the residue and drink, one dose per day. This prescription has the function of moistening the lungs, nourishing yin and clearing away heat, and is suitable for elderly patients with yin deficiency due to pulmonary tuberculosis.

(3) 9g Phellodendron chinense, 4.5g Lilium bulb, and 4.5g Northern Panax ginseng. Add appropriate amount of rock sugar, boil in water, and eat it often. It has the function of moistening and nourishing the lungs, and is suitable for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and lung yin deficiency.

(4) 150g spinach seeds, 100g Bletilla striata, and 500g Stemona japonica. Grind them into fine powder, mix with honey and make into pills, each weighing 9 grams. Take one pill after each meal. Regular use of this prescription can nourish blood, stop bleeding, clear away heat and moisten the lungs. It is suitable for all patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and hemoptysis.

In addition to the above-mentioned dietary therapy methods, there are some other dietary therapy methods. Choose 150 grams of lily and an appropriate amount of white sugar, then decoct them in water to achieve the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving cough. In addition, choose 100 grams each of raw dragon bone powder, raw oyster powder, and raw chicken gizzard powder, 50 grams each of raw Panax notoginseng powder, raw Bletilla striata powder, and raw white part powder, then grind all these things into powder and add them to lotus root powder for consumption.