The following features are indicative of Phthisis:
bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
pain in the chest
coughing up blood or sputum
weakness or fatigue
weight loss
no appetite
chills
fever
sweating at night
It is possible that Phthisis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Phthisis
The following are the most common causes of Phthisis:
mycobacterium infections
Risk Factors for Phthisis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Phthisis:
weakened immune system
recently infected with TB bacteria
close contact of a person with infectious TB disease
children less than 5 years of age
HIV infection
silicosis
diabetes mellitus
Prevention of Phthisis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Phthisis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoid close contact or prolonged time with known tuberculosis patient
get Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination
Occurrence of Phthisis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Phthisis cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Phthisis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Phthisis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Phthisis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Phthisis:
Physical exam: To check the lymph nodes for swelling
Blood tests: To confirm or rule out latent or active tuberculosis
Imaging tests: To see the white spots in the lungs
Sputum tests: Test the cough to diagnose the tuberculosis
Doctor for Diagnosis of Phthisis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Phthisis:
Infectious disease specialist
Pulmonologist
Complications of Phthisis if untreated
Yes, Phthisis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Phthisis is left untreated:
vascular infectious
tuberculosis related sepsis
impaired pulmonary function
Self-care for Phthisis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Phthisis:
Be active: Maintain the normal activities and hobbies
Stay at home: Don't go near to the people during the first few weeks of treatment for active tuberculosis
Ventilate the room: Don't live in a small closed space
Cover your mouth: Use a tissue to cover the mouth anytime you sneeze or cough
Wear a mask: Helpful in lessening the risk of transmission
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Phthisis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Phthisis:
Massage therapy: Helps in relief from physical and psychological suffering during disease
Patient Support for Treatment of Phthisis
The following actions may help Phthisis patients:
Talk to your family: Stay connected with family and friends to keep you motivated
Time for Treatment of Phthisis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Phthisis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 6 months - 1 year
Is Phthisis Infectious?
Yes, Phthisis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means: