Tuberculosis is an infectious disease of the lungs caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis spreads through airborne droplets, making it highly contagious. Conditions that support poverty, population density, and lack of public health infrastructure contribute to its transmission. In addition, non-specific symptoms such as persistent coughing often go unnoticed, resulting in high transmission rates.
There are several types of Mycobacterium bacteria that can cause infections in humans, such as M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, and M. canetii. All of these species are closely related. However, the dominant pathogen in humans is M. tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis is an intracellular pathogen that can cause subacute and progressive disease, also called active TB. In addition, this bacterium can remain dormant in infected cells and may or may not cause disease.
According to WHO data in 2022, it is known that there were 1.3 million deaths in TB cases, there were 10.6 million people with active TB conditions, and around 25% of the world's population was infected with TB. TB is known to be the biggest cause of death in HIV sufferers.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Tuberculosis Cases
Physiotherapy as a health worker has a role in treating patients with tuberculosis. Physiotherapy rehabilitation programs in tuberculosis cases include self-management, education, physical exercise that includes aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises, and respiratory muscle exercises.
Patients with tuberculosis generally experience dyspnea. Some physiotherapy interventions that can help reduce dyspnea symptoms in patients are breathing exercises, thoracic expansion, positioning, and inspiratory exercises with incentive spirometry. Deep breathing exercises can be used to help individuals with tuberculosis to increase lung capacity, oxygenation and lung volume.
In addition to lung conditions, physiotherapy can also provide interventions related to musculoskeletal/neurology in patients with TB. Patients sometimes have complaints related to musculoskeletal or neurological conditions. Physiotherapists will conduct assessments and assessments related to the patient's condition. The interventions provided are also adjusted to the patient's condition/complaints.
Also read: Emphysema: What is it?
Reference:
- Tobin EH, Tristram D. Tuberkulosis. [Diperbarui 20 Maret 2024]. Di: StatPearls [Internet]. Pulau Harta Karun (FL): Penerbitan StatPearls; 2024 Januari-. Tersedia dari: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441916/
- Wanjari M K, Lalwani L, Tiwari P R (April 03, 2024) Novelty of Physiotherapy Protocols in a Classic Case of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in a 35-Year-Old Male Patient: A Case Report. Cureus 16(4): e57495. doi:10.7759/cureus.57495
