Tuberculosis: These lifestyle changes may lower your risk of tuberculosis

This article provides lifestyle tips to help reduce your risk.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs. It is a major global public health problem and one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, killing approximately 1.5 million people in 2018. However, there are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk of developing tuberculosis. Read on as we share lifestyle tips to reduce your risk.

8 lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of tuberculosis:

1. Practice good hygiene

Tuberculosis is spread through airborne droplets when a person with an active disease coughs or sneezes. There is a possibility. Therefore, it is important to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding close contact with tuberculosis patients.

2. Eat Healthy

A healthy diet helps boost your immune system, which is important in fighting tuberculosis infections. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fats in your diet.

3. Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is important to support your immune system. Good sleep helps prevent infections. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. You can also work on developing healthy sleep hygiene habits such as: B. Move electronic devices away from the room, expose yourself to bright lights at night, etc.

4. Manage stress

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily routine, such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. Also, try to avoid triggers. Triggers can be situations or things that make you feel stressed.

5. Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity helps improve lung function, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of tuberculosis infection. On most days of the week, he aims to do 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as the breast. B. Brisk walking or cycling.

6. Quit Smoking

Smoking damages your lungs, weakens your immune system, and makes you more susceptible to tuberculosis. In addition, smoking can greatly increase the risk of many diseases. If you smoke, quitting can significantly reduce your risk of developing tuberculosis.

7. Get vaccinated The

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine may help prevent tuberculosis. Recommended for infants and young children in countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis. However, this vaccine is not 100% effective for him and is not regularly recommended for adults in the United States.

8. Seek medical attention if symptoms

If symptoms such as cough, fever, night sweats persist for more than two weeks, seek medical attention immediately. If you have been in close contact with a tuberculosis patient, get tested for infection.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, there are certain populations who are at increased risk of tuberculosis and should take special precautions. These include:

1. If your immune system is weakened by HIV, chronic illness, or medications, you are at increased risk of tuberculosis infection.

2. Nearby residences such as prisons, nursing homes and homeless shelters may increase the risk of tuberculosis infection.

3. Tuberculosis is endemic in many countries outside the United States. If you plan to travel to a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis, you should take special precautions such as getting vaccinated and wearing a mask.

TB is a serious global health problem, There are lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of infection. Practice good hygiene, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep and survive