AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO TUBERCULOSIS MANAGEMENT: MODERN THERAPEUTICS AND AYURVEDIC SUPPORT

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most significant infectious diseases worldwide, posing a major public health challenge despite the availability of effective chemotherapeutic agents. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily affects the lungs but may also involve extrapulmonary sites, leading to diverse clinical manifestations. Globally, millions of new cases are reported annually, with low- and middle-income countries, particularly India, bearing a disproportionate burden of the disease. The emergence of drug-resistant forms of TB further complicates disease management and threatens global control efforts. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis, including its epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, while also exploring the Ayurvedic conceptualization and adjunctive therapeutic approaches. Integration of evidence-based traditional therapies with standard anti-tubercular treatment may offer supportive benefits; however, modern chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of TB management. Continued research and integrative strategies are essential to strengthen TB control and move toward global elimination goals.