<p>Acute back pain, unexplained weight loss, fever and night sweats: If they persist beyond a week, there is cause to worry, health experts caution.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Such symptoms are synonymous with spinal tuberculosis, which accounts almost 50 percent of musculo-skeletal TB in developing countries, the experts say.<br /><br />"Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott spine, is one of the most common spinal diseases in India. It represents almost 50 percent of the musculo-skeletal tuberculosis in the developing countries," Shashi Baliyan, managing director, of Clearmedi Healthcare Private Limited, a multidimensional service provider, told IANS.<br /><br />TB in humans is caused by the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria.<br /><br />According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 2.2 million tuberculosis patients in India, which makes it the world's highest TB-burden country.<br /><br />"Spinal TB often spreads from the lungs via the blood. The lower thorasic and the upper lumbar vertabrae are the most common sites," Baliyan said.<br /><br />Kailash Nath Gupta, chest and critical care specialist and interventional pulmonologist at Gurgaon's Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is no single test that can accurately diagnose the disease.<br /><br />"Once TB affects the spine, it can lead to pus formation, which can destroy the vertebrae if not diagnosed and accordingly treated," Gupta added.<br /><br />"The pus can trickle down to the thigh and the pelvic portions and can even cause an infection in the entire lower part of the body," he noted.<br /><br />Arun Bhanot, chief of spine services at Gurgaon's Paras Hospital, agreed. "We are in a country which is endemic to tuberculosis. When the immunity level goes down, thebacteria is likely to strike," he said, adding: "Spinal TB is more prevalent in countries like India, China and Russia".<br /><br />According to Baliyan, "approximately 10 percent of the TB cases affect the skeleton, and of those, five percent are in the spine".<br /><br />Gupta suggested evaluation of the spine, among other things, as remedies."Patients should not ignore back pain or light fever and should consult a spine specialist if the symptoms persist. MRI (Magentic Resonance Imaging) andblood tests are a must for TB patients," he said.<br /><br />For Baliyan, a thorough examination and co-relating the common symptoms forms the key to early diagnosis of the disease.<br /><br />"Early diagnosis, prompt treatment and compliance with the treatment protocol can lead to managing the disease," he added.<br /></p>
<p>Acute back pain, unexplained weight loss, fever and night sweats: If they persist beyond a week, there is cause to worry, health experts caution.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Such symptoms are synonymous with spinal tuberculosis, which accounts almost 50 percent of musculo-skeletal TB in developing countries, the experts say.<br /><br />"Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott spine, is one of the most common spinal diseases in India. It represents almost 50 percent of the musculo-skeletal tuberculosis in the developing countries," Shashi Baliyan, managing director, of Clearmedi Healthcare Private Limited, a multidimensional service provider, told IANS.<br /><br />TB in humans is caused by the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria.<br /><br />According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 2.2 million tuberculosis patients in India, which makes it the world's highest TB-burden country.<br /><br />"Spinal TB often spreads from the lungs via the blood. The lower thorasic and the upper lumbar vertabrae are the most common sites," Baliyan said.<br /><br />Kailash Nath Gupta, chest and critical care specialist and interventional pulmonologist at Gurgaon's Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is no single test that can accurately diagnose the disease.<br /><br />"Once TB affects the spine, it can lead to pus formation, which can destroy the vertebrae if not diagnosed and accordingly treated," Gupta added.<br /><br />"The pus can trickle down to the thigh and the pelvic portions and can even cause an infection in the entire lower part of the body," he noted.<br /><br />Arun Bhanot, chief of spine services at Gurgaon's Paras Hospital, agreed. "We are in a country which is endemic to tuberculosis. When the immunity level goes down, thebacteria is likely to strike," he said, adding: "Spinal TB is more prevalent in countries like India, China and Russia".<br /><br />According to Baliyan, "approximately 10 percent of the TB cases affect the skeleton, and of those, five percent are in the spine".<br /><br />Gupta suggested evaluation of the spine, among other things, as remedies."Patients should not ignore back pain or light fever and should consult a spine specialist if the symptoms persist. MRI (Magentic Resonance Imaging) andblood tests are a must for TB patients," he said.<br /><br />For Baliyan, a thorough examination and co-relating the common symptoms forms the key to early diagnosis of the disease.<br /><br />"Early diagnosis, prompt treatment and compliance with the treatment protocol can lead to managing the disease," he added.<br /></p>