conducted. Pulmonary TB can also be called "the
great iminator" which is a disease that has many
similarities with other diseases that also give unclear
symptoms. The clinical picture of pulmonary TB is
divided into two groups namely respiratory
symptoms such as coughing up blood, shortness of
breath, coughing, chest pain. And systemic
symptoms include malaise, fever, weight loss.
Pulmonary TB is a disease that can be transmitted
through the air (airborne disease). TB germs are
spread from person to person through sputum sprays
(droplets) when active pulmonary TB sufferers
cough, sneeze, talk or laugh. TB germs die quickly
with direct sunlight, but can survive several hours in
a dark and damp place. In body tissues, these germs
can sleep for a long time (domaint) for several years
(RI Ministry of Health, 2012).
Pulmonary tuberculosis is a direct infectious
disease caused by TB (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis)
bacteria. Most TB germs attack the lungs but also
affect other organs (MOH, 2007). Factors that
influence the occurrence of pulmonary TB disease
include socioeconomic conditions, age, sex,
nutritional status and smoking habits. Although
smoking is not a major cause of pulmonary TB
disease, smoking can damage the pulmonary defense
mechanism thereby facilitating the entry of germs
such as TB germs.
Plus, the phenomenon of smoking in Indonesia is
still considered normal, even considered a lifestyle.
Smoking behavior is common for most Indonesian
people, especially adult men. In the last ten years,
cigarette consumption in Indonesia has increased by
44.1% and the number of smokers reaches 70% of
Indonesia's population. (Fatmawati, 2006).
Tuberculosis (TB), is a lung disease caused by the
attack of the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
Diffusion of oxygen will be disrupted due to the
presence of nodules or inflammation of the alveolar
wall. If the attacked lung expands, the cells will die
and the lungs will shrink. As a result, the patient's
breath will be breathless. Shortness of breath this
symptom is found when the damage to the lung
parenchyma sufferer has spread.
In mild pulmonary TB patients have not felt any
shortness of breath, shortness of breath suffered will
occur if the infiltration has reached half a part, in
pulmonary TB patients with symptoms experienced
like this need to be taught a simple way with the
method of evaporation or simple inhalation of steam
which when time can relapse can be done at their
respective homes. Boiled water vapors that are
inhaled to reduce shortness of breath usually use
natural ingredients such as mint leaves which will
produce menthol vapors for the inhalation process
(Yessie&Andra, 2013)
Efforts to reduce shortness of breath can use
medical drugs and use non-medical drugs. One way
that can reduce shortness of breath is by giving the
aroma of mint leaf therapy with a simple inhalation
or evaporation method. The most important
ingredient in mint is menthol. Mint leaves contain
30-45% menthol, 17-35% menthone, 5-13% menthyl
acetate, 2-5% limonene and 2.5-4% neomenthol
(Elshabrina, 2015). Mint leaves contain menthol so
they are often used as raw materials for cold
medicines (Jefry, 2014). The aroma of menthol found
in mint leaves has anti-inflammatory properties, so
that later it will open the respiratory tract.
In addition, mint leaves will also help treat
infections caused by bacterial attacks. Because mint
leaves have antibacterial properties. Mint leaves will
loosen the bronchi so that it will launch breathing.
To relieve breathing can be to inhale mint leaves
directly. Whereas a simple inhalation is to breathe
warm steam from boiling water mixed with
aromatherapy as a warmer, for example mint leaves.
Essential oil diffuser is a tool to convert essential oil
into small granules to then blend (spread / diffuse)
throughout the room.
In patients with pulmonary TB who experience
clinical symptoms is one of shortness of breath,
usually the patient's family panic in what ways to do
or reduce shortness of breath symptoms other than
using oxygen when at home with pulmonary TB
patients do not have oxygen equipment then these
patients need to be taught simple ways with a simple
evaporation or inhalation method.
The benefits of aromatherapy include overcoming
insomnia and depression, relieve anxiety, reduce
feelings of tension, improve the health and well-
being of the body, mind, and soul that are often
combined with alternative medical practices.
Aromatherapy does not only work when there is only
interference, but also can maintain the stability and
balance of the system contained in the body so that
the body becomes attractive. Therefore,
aromatherapy is a holistic treatment to balance all
bodily functions used was the American Thoracic
Sosiety (ATS) shortness of breath scale, using an
observation sheet. While the independent variable
instrument uses a diffuser, and is carried out only in
the treatment group. Simple inhalation research
procedure using aromatherapy of mint leaves
(menthapiperita) to reduce shortness of breath in
pulmonary tuberculosis patients the data collected
must first apply for a research permit at the Pon
Village Health Center in Sei Bamban District.
The Effects of Simple Inhalation using Mint (Mentha Piperita) Aromatherapy on Decreased Shortness of Breath in Lung Tuberculosis
Patients
287