Was tb called consumption?
My grandmother used to talk about a disease she called 'consumption' that was very common when she was young. I'm wondering if this was the same as Tuberculosis. Was TB called consumption in earlier times?
5 answers
5 months ago
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Yes, I've read that too! TB was indeed commonly known as 'consumption' in the past because it seemed to 'consume' the body, causing severe weight loss and wasting. It's fascinating how medical terms change with understanding. It reminds me how important it is to keep learning about health.
5 months ago
That's correct. My doctor once mentioned in a health awareness talk that before the germ theory and discovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the disease was broadly described by its symptoms. 'Consumption' perfectly captured the severe weight loss, fever, and coughing that marked the advanced stages of what we now know as TB.
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yrs exp
5 months ago
Yes, historically, TB was often referred to as 'consumption' due to the way it would waste away the body. This is a common historical fact. It just shows how devastating it was before modern medicine. Important to remember how far we've come in public health.
5 months ago
Haan bhai, pehle log isko 'consumption' hi kehte the. Badan dheere dheere galta jaata tha na, isliye. Bohut purani aur khatarnak bimari thi. Ab toh dawai hai, tab nahi thi.
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4 months ago
Consumption? Sounds like what my brain is doing to my energy levels these days! But seriously, yes, I've heard that. It's crazy how much medical terminology has changed. Hopefully, someday we'll laugh about 'sleep deprivation' being a thing of the past too!