Tuberculosis is amazingly widespread, but most people who have had this disease are not aware of it. In larger cities where tubercular infections are more common, about 40 percent of the twenty-one year old population has had tuberculosis, whereas, 95 percent of those over fifty years of age have been infected. Happily, very few develop this disease to a noticeable state, and for most of us, only a few scars seen by x-ray remain as evidence of a by-gone, unnoticed disease.
Fig. 51. Lung tuberculosis, formerly regarded with horror, now seems to be slowly disappearing. Evidence of tuberculosis in the lungs, surprisingly, is found present in over 90 per cent of adults.
The occasional severe case may begin with a cough, possibly productive of sputum, containing flecks of blood. There is characteristically mild fever and continuous fatigue along with weight loss. These symptoms are very common and easily disregarded, and as a result tuberculosis is not often suspected. It is discovered most often in routine examinations-another reason for thorough and regular examination-especially if we have been in contact with anyone found to have tuberculosis.
Asthma, the devil’s disease, is due to temporary closure of the small air passages, in the deep lung tissues where effective breathing takes place.
The difficulties in asthma are:
1. Labored, wheezing breathing.
2. Spasms of coughing, between gasps of air.
3. Choking, caused by the wheezing and coughing, often causing bluish coloration in the skin-a sign of lack of air.
Asthmatics, over fifty years of age, usually have had attacks through the years since childhood and are aware that their asthma is worse during colds, emotional excitement, periods of great effort and occasionally seasons of allergy. Many people learn to live with their disease and usually find relief in inhalers and certain drugs. The individual asthmatic can help himself considerably, but the greatest relief from unnecessary suffering is found under the guidance of a physician well schooled in this problem.
Keywords: Skin, Head, Eye, Ear, Cancer, Face, Lips, Teeth, Thyroid, Chest, Breast, Lungs, Heart, Nail, Asthma, Tongue, Neck, BP, Migraine, Scalp, Eczema, Shingles