Without properly functioning lungs, a person’s quality of life rapidly dissipates. Consumption disease, more commonl known as tuberculosis, eventually robs us of our breath and strength. As the disease progresses, the lungs becomes more vulnerable to infections and slowly begin to deteriorate. The signs of consumption disease include a persistent cough that produces phlegm often dotted with blood. Usually the feeling of illness, loss of appetite, fever and night sweats are common as well as noticeable weight loss. Diagnosis of consumption disease can not me made until the bacteria that gradually accumulates in the body reaches the lungs. At that point, blood tests, chest x-rays and a tuberculin skin test are used to detect it. Doctors advise that you see a physician if your cough continues for three weeks or so, especially if blood specks are detected in your sputim. The disease is curable, but left untreated, consumption disease can have dire affects on other organs and even cause death.