People with tuberculosis have to eat a lot, why?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease caused by a bacterial infection in the lungs. Even though it is a chronic disease that lasts for months, TB can be cured with the right treatment. In addition to taking anti-tuberculosis (OAT) drugs regularly, doctors also recommend that people who are sick with tuberculosis eat more nutritious foods than healthy people. Why?

The benefits of having to eat a lot when sick with tuberculosis

TB sufferers should eat more, but of course they should not eat just any food. Eating a lot does not mean that the portion for each meal has to be twice as large as usual. The diet for TB sufferers must still be regulated so that it meets the daily nutritional needs of a healthy and balanced.

People who are sick with tuberculosis must eat a lot because this disease can cause drastic weight loss. Reporting from TB Facts, weight loss in many cases of TB can be caused by several factors, namely loss of appetite, nausea, and indigestion. The side effects of OATs can also make the condition worse.

As a result, many TB sufferers are prone to experiencing malnutrition or malnutrition. In fact, the absorption of sufficient nutrients is needed by the body to fight the ongoing bacterial infection that causes TB.

Malnutrition can cause a decrease in immune system function, making it more difficult to defend against tuberculosis bacterial infection. The big impact, malnutrition can also affect how drugs work. When treatment is ineffective, the healing process takes longer.

Another impact, if the nutritional intake is insufficient, the symptoms of tuberculosis that are experienced, such as persistent coughing are also getting worse. Including the emergence of complications such as liver damage. Worsening symptoms will result in a decrease in the quality of life for TB sufferers. There are many cases of TB death that are also influenced by malnutrition.

Therefore, those of you who are sick with tuberculosis must eat more nutritious foods to maintain weight and strengthen the immune system. The most important nutrient intake in one dinner plate is a group of nutrients from foods for TB sufferers, namely:

• Calories as a source of energy from carbohydrates and unsaturated fats
• Protein
• Vitamins (Vitamins C, D, and A)
• Minerals (iron, zinc, and selenium)

According to nutritionist Lela Nurulhuda from the Directorate of Health Services, ideally the diet of TB sufferers should fulfill 3 main meals with 3 snacks (snack) everyday.

How to increase appetite in TB sufferers

During illness, TB sufferers often lose their appetite, nausea to vomiting, and other digestive disorders, such as stomach cramps. The persistent cough that is experienced also makes it difficult for sufferers to swallow food. This condition makes those of you who are sick with tuberculosis have difficulty following the recommendations for having to eat a lot.

However, you don't need to worry. If you feel sick or have a very bad appetite, you can follow these tips to increase your appetite.

• Take a short walk around the house before starting to eat. Fresh air can help build your appetite.
• Try to schedule meals with not too close intervals between main meals. The measure is until you feel hungry. For example, if you start breakfast at 8 am, lunch time should ideally be 1-2 in the afternoon.
• Choose foods that are recommended for TB sufferers according to your taste.
• Avoid fried or oily foods, as they can cause pain when swallowing.
• Eat slowly, don't force yourself to eat large portions at once. Try to eat smaller portions but more often.
• Eat small portions but more often.
• If your stomach hurts, try drinking ginger tea, peppermint tea, or herbal teas which are a natural colic remedy.

If the side effects of OAT are getting serious, causing you to continue to feel nauseous, consult your doctor immediately. Usually, the doctor will reduce the dose or change to another type of OAT.

In addition to following the rules for treating TB properly and having to eat a lot when you are sick with TB, you also need to get adequate rest and don't forget to do safe exercise for TB sufferers regularly.

If you are losing too much weight, try increasing your intake of foods high in protein and carbohydrates to one serving plate. Finally, for those of you who treat TB sufferers, it is important to pay attention to food needs and remind you to always eat regularly.

Patients who have met the maximum nutritional intake usually have an ideal body weight, can have normal activities, are rarely tired, and the frequency of appearance of other TB symptoms is more controlled.