Gastro Care

Abdominal Tuberculosis

Abdominal tuberculosis is the disease that involves the abdominal organs. Abdominal Tuberculosis could affect adults and children both. The disease could prove to be life threatening. The organs include intestines, peritoneum, abdominal lymph nodes and even kidney, pancreas and liver.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Abdominal Tuberculosis vary widely. The most common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Lump in the abdomen
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Intestinal perforation
  • Ascites which is fluid built-up in abdomen
  • Intestinal obstruction

 Cause and Risk Factors

Tuberculosis is caused by pathogenic bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sometimes abdominal tuberculosis can be associated with lung tuberculosis.

A weak immunity arising due to various reasons could be one of the risk factors.

Treatment

The treatment of Abdominal Tuberculosis involves administration of anti-tuberculosis drugs. The treatment includes two phases. First is an intensive phase followed by a continuation phase.

Advanced cases of abdominal tuberculosis might need surgical intervention.