Mycobacterium Avium

Overview

A type of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection, pulmonary mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is relatively common and often occurs in patients with pre-existing pulmonary disease or those with depressed immunity. It is also seen regularly in otherwise healthy patients, with a predilection for older women who deliberately supress cough reflex.

MAC is related to the tuberculosis germ, but is not contagious and the MAC microbes live in the environment. It comprises more than one type of microorganism (both M. avium and M. intracellulare) and causes two types of lung disease. One type results in multiple nodules in the lungs and is referred to as “nodular disease”. The second type is associated with cavities in the upper parts of the lung that mimic tuberculosis. This type of disease is referred to as “upper lobe cavitary disease”.

Some people will have an increased risk of Pulmonary MAC, including:

Patients with cystic fibrosis: MAC isolated in up to 13% of patients
Immunocompromised patients, e.g. AIDS
Elderly, white, thin women: nodular bronchiectatic form
Middle aged or elderly makes who are smokers or alcoholics: upper love cavitary
Patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
Other causes of bronchiectasis

Symptoms

Symptoms are variable and nonspecific, with a cough being the most common symptom. No specific immune defect has been associated with predisposition to MAC infection. Other symptoms of illness in MAC patients with nodular lung infections are low-grade fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and mild weight loss. Complete blood counts (CBCs) and complete metabolic panels (CMPs) may be abnormal. Low red blood cell counts (anemia) are quite common.

Causes

Generally, transmission is thought to be due to inhalation of environmentally derived airborne organisms rather than person to person. Oral ingestion may also be a route of infection but is generally considered more likely in the immunocompromised host.

Do

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Diet

Proper nutrition and adequate caloric intake to prevent weight loss and even encourage weight gain is helpful for MAC patients. Regular rest periods and sleep patterns assist to lessen fatigue. MAC patients can help themselves by maintaining a proactive stance and keeping up to date regarding current knowledge about the disease.

It is important to not add further toxicity to your system so try to adhere to the following:

Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda, NutraSweet or Aspartame
Do not consume high fructose corn syrup or mono-sodium glutamate.
Do not drink any carbonated beverages.
Avoid all fast food restaurants.
Avoid all canned food.
Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurized and homogenized dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy.
Avoid conventional beef. The best beef is organic grass fed beef. www.grasslandbeef.com The second best is organic meat; this includes beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey.

Supplements:

Take Vitamin D3 50,000-100,000 International Units a day for periods of 4 weeks at a time.
Wholefood supplements are the best way of ensuring your nutritional needs are met. The best we know on the market is Kevin Trudeau’s “KT Daily” product. You can find more details here.
Take an Omega 3 supplement:

Prescription and non-prescription medication:

What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking? Your non-prescription and prescription are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications, but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.

Mind

We know that when the body is out of balance, energy doesn’t flow, leading blockages and eventually disease. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and restore balance:

Go to a Dr. Morter BEST (Bio-Energetic Synchronisation Technique) Practitioner.
Sign up for Energetic Re-Balancing: 2 practitioners to consider are:

Stephen Lewis, founder of the Aim Program. Find out more by clicking here.

. Find out more by clicking here.

Consider using Mary Miller’s Iching System Products – ichingsystemsinstruments.com
Reiki healing is very powerful in releasing stress and emotional baggage. Find a local practitioner here.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has had remarkable results in dissolving stress. Find a local practitioner here or go to www.thetappingsolution.com or www.tftrx.com
Try Hypnotherapy to relax the mind. Find a local practitioner here.