Tuberculosis and Food

 Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

In one of the previous programs, we reminded that tuberculosis (TB) is a microbial disease and its treatment might take several months, but in addition to medical treatment, food also played an essential role in the treatment of this disease.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about the importance of food in tuberculosis.

Nelab, a resident of Kabul city says, “One of our relatives was suffering from tuberculosis. They do not pay attention to her food and he was not taking her meal on time and the medicines were not affecting her disease anymore. Finally, she died.”

Kulsoom, another tuberculosis patient, a resident of Kabul city says, “I do not have the appetite to eat food. I am suffering from coughing and sputum. I also suffer from nausea. The doctor told me if I do not eat food, my disease might increase.”

Doctor Assadullah Safi, an internist at Wazir Muhammad Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul city says, “If TB patients do not eat enough food, they might become weak; they would lose their weight and appetite. These factors provide good opportunities for the progress of other diseases including coronavirus. This would destroy the patient’s lungs and the patient might die.”

What do some people think about the causes of this issue?

Ihsanullah says, “If the TB patients do not pay attention to their food, they face more health problems.”

Nelab says, “If TB patients do not eat enough food, they will lose their body resistance against disease and they might face more health problems.”

Doctor Assadullah Safi says, “There are two causes that the TB disease becomes severe. The first one is not eating food. In this case, the resistance of the body decreases, and the microbes would be more active.

The second cause of the weakness of the body is medication. In the first days of this disease, the medicines bring pressure on the body and the body needs more energy to be taken but if the patient doesn’t eat enough food, he/she would lose his/her weight and medication would not affect him/her and he/she would face more health problems.”

What do some people think about the foods that TB patients should eat?

Wahidullah, a resident of Paktia province says, “My mother is suffering from tuberculosis. We give her food according to the doctor’s advice.  We give her fresh fruits, meat, and vegetables. She eats about 6-8 times daily. All members of our family take care of her and she gained her weight back.”

Noor Muhammad, a resident of Gardiz city, Paktia province says, “My wife is suffering from TB. The doctor recommended her nutritious foods. We give her more vitamin C-rich fruits; meat, vegetables, and beans and if she faces some problems, we consult the doctor. His disease is getting better.”

Doctor Safi says, “Tuberculosis patients need foods that are high in carbohydrates, fat, protein, and vitamins. These substances are found in our daily foods such as bread, rice, beans, meat, eggs, and vegetables, dried and fresh fruits.

The patients should not skip their food. They should eat little by little every day. Strong foods strengthen the patient's body resistance against this disease and help in his/her recovery.