Gout is also known as crystal-induced arthritis. It is a medical condition that sets in when uric acid crystals collect on the joints. At the first stage, gout usually affects the large joints in the big toe. Gradually it can spread to other parts of the body, like the ankles, the instep, the heels and the knees, the wrists and fingers of the hand and the elbows. In severe cases, even the shoulders, hips or spine can be affected. Gout does not spread from one joint to the next.
Uric acid is a metabolic end product that is formed at the time the body breaks down purines present in certain food items. In normal conditions, the uric acid gets dissolved in the blood and gets eliminated from the body through the kidneys into the urine. However, people having a propensity for gout have such high levels of uric acid in their blood that the acid precipitates out in the form of crystals. The crystals get accumulated on the joints and other tissues, leading to inflammation and excruciating pain. A chronic condition can lead to the formation of tophi lumps formed under the skin due to large deposits on severely affected joints of the elbow, fingers and toes, and even on the external pinna.
Another medical condition, referred to as the pseudo-gout, results from the deposits of calcium-based crystals in the joints.
In almost 90 percent of incidences of gout, men over the age of 40 and menopausal women are affected. An "episode" often takes place during the night. Within 12 to 24 hours of the onset, the afflicted joint becomes severely inflamed and starts to ache rigorously. The gout attack usually lasts about five to 10 days.
The Signs and Symptoms of Gout include:
Hyperuricemia
Presence of uric acid crystals in joint fluid
More than one attack of acute arthritis
Arthritis that develops in 1 day
Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee
A painful joint that is swollen, red, and warm
The probable causes of gout include:
Genetic defects in metabolism resulting in hyper-production and retention of uric acid in the blood
Kidney failure leading to hampered elimination of uric acid from the body
Diuretic medications employed in the treatment of heart failure and diabetes.
Erratic lifestyle, alcohol abuse, purine-rich diet and excess weight
Surgery or sudden injury, severe illness
Proper understanding of the cause and symptoms of gout can help in achieving a successful cure for gout attacks.
Gout is a type of arthritis which is characterized by sharp shooting pains in the joints often affecting the big toe but also other joints as well and can last for a short time or days. The pain is caused by a build up of sodium urate crystals in the cartilage and tendons of your joints and can be extremely painful. Gout is persistent and can come in attacks, months or years apart. It typically starts and one joint but over the years can affect many joints and is accompanied by swelling and redness in the area.
While no one knows why a particular person may get gout, it is caused by too much uric acid in the body. if you eat a diet consisting of a lot of foods that are high in purines and chances are your body will produce too much uric acid. Therefore, one natural way to fight go is to avoid foods high in purines. these foods include red meats, liver, sardines, kidney, gravy, game meats, muscles, anchovies, sweetbreads, asparagus, shrimp, scallops, mackerel, hearing, beans, spinach and yeast.
Another dietary change that you can make to help treat gout is to avoid drinking alcohol. a study at Mass General Hospital showed that men who denied alcohol were 2.5 times more likely to get gout. beer was the worst offender in verse could be raised even by drinking as little as 10 g per day.
Cherries and cherry juice are delicious natural way to treat gout. Cherries contain flavenoids which help to reduce the high uric acid levels that lead to gout. it seems that canned cherries worked just as good as fresh and sweet works just as good as the sour. eating as few as 10 carries the day has been found to work but if you don't like cherries you might try a tablespoon of Cherry juice concentrate.
Other natural ways to alleviate go include putting a poultice on the affected area. Some people say that a poultice of leeks helps but a charcoal poultice can work wonders too. To make a poultice you need activated powdered charcoal and ground flax seeds - mix about a quarter cup charcoal with a tablespoon of the flax seeds add in a little warm water and mix until it makes the paste. Apply to the joint and change every couple of hours. The charcoal helps to draw toxins away from the body and can also be used as a bath or simply eaten!
Perhaps the best natural remedy for gout is to simply change your lifestyle a bit. Avoid foods that are high in purines like those listed above and limit alcohol intake. It is also important to make sure that you drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Changing your dietary habits will not only help prevent attacks of gout but it will also add to your overall health and you may soon find yourself with the added bonus of extra energy, less illness, and a little bit of weight loss!
Both Arturo R & Lee Dobbins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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