Recognize Causes and Symptoms of Spinal TB

TB does not only occur in the lungs, but can also occur in organs and other body parts. One part of the body that can get tuberculosis is the spine. Recognize the causes and symptoms of spinal tuberculosis, so that they can be avoided and not late to be treated .

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria into in the lungs. But under certain conditions, this bacteria can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. If that happens, a condition called extra-pulmonary TB or TB that occurs outside the lungs will occur.

Recognize Causes and Symptoms of Spinal TB

Spinal tuberculosis is also known by another name, TB spondylitis (Pott's disease). The spine that is most commonly affected by spinal tuberculosis is the spine in the lower thoracic area and upper spine. If the TB bacterium spreads to the adjacent vertebrae, infection can occur in the bearing between the two vertebrae, called the intervertebral disc.

If this bearing is infected, then the distance between the two vertebrae will narrow even stick. The spine also loses flexibility and is damaged because it does not get nutritional intake. A person who experiences this condition can be difficult to move.

In both vertebrae that stick together due to damage to the disc, dead cells will accumulate to form an abscess, or called gibus. This Gibus will make the back look hunched down, like something protruding.

What Causes Spinal TB?

As explained above, tuberculosis spine occurs when the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis has spread through the bloodstream. In addition, there are also other risk factors that can increase a person affected by spinal tuberculosis, such as weakness of the immune system due to suffering from an HIV virus infection, living in an area or country where the majority of people suffer from tuberculosis, and living on a low socio-economic level.

What are the Symptoms of Spinal Tuberculosis?

Here are some symptoms that can occur when a person has spinal tuberculosis:

  • Back pain in certain parts.
  • At night the body sweats and has a fever.
  • Having weight loss or experiencing anorexia.
  • Slouching or kyphosis sometimes accompanied by swelling around the spine.
  • The body is stiff and tense.
  • The appearance of nerve disorders, if the nerves are affected.
  • Spinal protrusion (gibus).
  • The appearance of a lump in the groin due to an abscess, which is often mistaken for a hernia.

Conditional i above can occur gradually or maybe unconsciously. Try to see a doctor if you experience the symptoms above. To diagnose spinal tuberculosis, the doctor will perform a physical examination plus a series of investigations, such as spinal X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and tissue biopsy around the vertebrae using needles.

Other tests that may be done are Complete blood tests, including blood sedimentation rate (LED). In patients with spinal tuberculosis, generally the sedimentation rate will increase. After active tuberculosis can be controlled, the sedimentation rate will return to normal or near normal. In patients with spinal tuberculosis, there is also an increase in the number of white blood cells.

Spinal tuberculosis can be overcome by taking anti-tuberculosis drugs (OAT) for several months regularly, without breaking up. For cases of spinal tuberculosis that cause complications, such as nerve damage, treatment procedures are needed. Recognize the symptoms of spinal tuberculosis and immediately consult a doctor if you experience suspicious complaints.

Label : Health cat_Health

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Information Related to Pediatricians

Foods That Contain Harmful Gluten? Here are the facts

7 Ways to Reduce Menstrual Pain