Gout

Description

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by an accumulation in the body of uric acid which is found in certain foods and is also produced by the body. If this production is off balance or even insufficient, gout typically occurs. As uric acid rises to unhealthy amounts in the body, it crystallizes in the joint cartilage material, synovial cells and fluid. These sharp, needle-like groupings create piercing pain in the joints. Other symptoms include fever, chills, and loss of mobility. Lack of mobility can lead to weight gain, lethargy, stiffness, lack of energy and motivation, and additional complications.

A few of the health problems commonly caused by gout include constipation, heartburn, headaches, depression, eczema, and hives, and those who suffer from gout also run a higher risk of heart and kidney difficulties.

In 50% of gout occurrences, the initial phase includes intense pain in the joint of the big foot. If the attack progresses, fever and chills will also occur. Initial gout pain usually strikes at night and are exacerbated by alcohol ingestion, stress, certain medicines, or surgical treatment.

Subsequent episodes are common, with most patients experiencing another assault within one year. However, almost 7% of gout pain sufferers never have a second assault. The condition impacts approximately 3 out of every 1,000 adults and is a disease mainly associated with adult men, with 95% of gout pain sufferers being males older than 30.

Symptoms of Gout

Excess uric acid in cartilage and combined fluids causes razor-sharp, stabbing pains in the joints, reduced mobility, and in some cases, chills and a fever. Bloating, constipation and heartburn are also common symptoms caused by gout, as are depression, eczema, head ache, and sometimes rashes or hives. In approximately half of all cases of gout, symptoms first manifest as intense pain in the big toe and usually strike, or become worse at night. Irritation, depression, and weight gain due to lack of exercise, often accompany gout pain.

Causes of Gout Pain

Gout is caused by excessive accumulation of uric acid in the tissues. The cause of the accumulation is actually unknown, yet research has found that it can essentially be attributed to metabolic or kidney difficulties. Increased manufacture of uric acid may be the result of metabolic enzyme flaws, certain types of persistent anemia, or even other complicated conditions. Lack of fluids and renal system disease may cause poor clearance of uric acid from the body.

Proper diet, nutrition, and metabolic balance all play crucial roles in the prevention and treatment of this disease. The conception of gout pain as a condition of wealth is tenuous, but huge diet, particularly meats that enhance uric acid production, and alcohol consumption, may hinder the removal of uric acid through the kidneys.

Although most people associate gout pain with poor life choices (obesity, rich foods, alcohol), 10-15% of gout patients have attacks as a result of a metabolic problem, such as a lack of enzymes (xanthine oxidase) and purine imbalances. Purines originate from certain foods (meat products, particularly liver, sausages, processed meats, anchovies, crab, shrimp, whole milk, eggs, and many beans, including soy), but are also normally present, as DNA as well as RNA in the cells. Purines are divided into uric acid, which is after that normally excreted through the urine.

Medications, including aspirin and diuretics, can cause gout by placing extra stress on the kidneys. These types of drugs cause 25% of new gout pain cases. Kidney stones and other kidney troubles are present in 90% of gout sufferers, because uric crystals also accumulate in the kidneys.

Organic Cures

Diet and Nourishment: Diet and nutrition are the primary means of treating gout naturally. Nutritional treatment for gout is intended to return the production of uric acid to normal levels. Cherries, hawthorn fruits, blueberries, and other dark red or blue fruits are rich sources of substances that favorably affect collagen metabolism and decrease inflammation of joints. Bioflavonoids found in dark cherries have been used to reduce uric acid amounts and decrease cell destruction related to gout. Gout pain sufferers can consume ½ lb. of unsweetened fresh or frozen cherries daily for 3-6 weeks.

Also highly recommended for arthritic conditions are Noni juice, acai berries, and whole or juiced goji or wolfberries. Pomegranate fruit extracts have been shown to block enzymes that contribute to cartilage degradation. Look for Acai, the exotic goji and Noni puree liquid or natural powder that you can use to supplement your diet.

Gout patients must eliminate their alcoholic beverage intake which both increases uric acid production and decreases uric acid removal in the kidneys. Elimination of alcohol reduces uric acid levels and prevents gout pain in many individuals. Gout victims should also consume a low-purine diet, which totally omits meats, seafood, yeast (machines and baker’s), herring, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies.

Meals with reasonable levels of purines, including dried out legumes, spinach, asparagus, fish, poultry, and mushrooms, should also be curtailed. To control gout/arthritic symptoms, refined carbs and fatty foods should be kept to a minimum. Weight reduction in obese individuals, using a higher-fiber, low-fat diet plan is also suggested. Liberal liquid intake is also important because it keeps the urine watered down and promotes the removal of uric crystals.

For the total whole foods eating plan to heal and get rid of all imbalances and disease, connect to the entire article: Whole-foods Diet. In many cases, a raw food eating plan can be extremely beneficial. To learn more, study Raw Food Diet.

Environmental Medicine: In many cases, allergic reactions and allergy-like sensitivities contribute to the painful symptoms of gout. Theron G. Randolph, M.D., the founder of environmental medicine, found the link between arthritis/gout is an allergic reaction to environmental chemicals and meals. His investigation with over 1,000 patients found commonly consumed foods, and chemical substances (ranging from gas, auto exhaust, paints, perfume, and hairspray to insecticides, tobacco, and tobacco smoke) caused a lot of his patients’ symptoms.

Additional research has discovered that foods, chemicals, pollen, mold, and other airborne substances caused allergic reactions within the joints of nearly 85% of gout sufferers in one study. Food additives, as well as foreign invaders like protozoa, bacteria, yeast, and fungus, can also bring about or worsen symptoms.

Although any food may theoretically trigger an allergic reaction in an individual, this list includes the most typical food allergens of joint disease patients: Milk products, beef, wheat, yeast (each baker’s as well as brewers), eggs, chocolate, grapefruit, sugar, nuts and nut products, corn, green or yellow wax beans, and dark vegetables (eggplants, green and red peppers, paprika, tomato plants and cigarettes).

All gout patients should be tested for food allergies. Once you have identified the foods you’re allergic to, the next step is to rid them from your diet. At first, you should totally refrain from consuming all allergenic foods for 60-90 days. After this period, you can begin to gradually reintroduce them into your diet. You should also vary the foods that you eat every day to avoid developing new allergic reactions.

Cleansing and Detoxification might help arthritis sufferers reverse the accumulation of toxins which otherwise promote damage of joint tissues as well as contribute to additional degenerative conditions. Many methods of detoxification are currently available, including colon and bowel cleansing therapies, renal system and gall bladder flushes, and other homeopathic treatments. Related treatments for detoxification incorporate bodywork, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy, antioxidant defense assistance, and nutritional and natural support to bolster the organs associated with detoxification.

Fasting is another detoxification strategy used to reduce allergy symptoms and the corresponding arthritic symptoms. During a fast, a patient usually eats only high-nutrient soup broths, pure water, and/or vegetable juices. Following this type of diet under an alternative doctor’s care for several weeks can prove very useful, and reduces the number of defense complexes (the actual substances formed when antibodies attach to antigens) circulating in the blood.

Exercise and Physical Therapy: Isometric exercises, stretching, and yoga can help ease gout symptoms.

Herbal Treatments: In medical trials with gout patients, devil’s claw was found to relieve joint pain, in addition to reducing blood cholesterol and uric acid amounts. For gout pain sufferers, experts recommend 1-2 g of dried powdered devil’s claw root three times a day; four-five ml of (1:5) tincture 3 times a day; or 400 mg of dried out solid extract (3:1) three times each day.

Juice Treatment: Organic cherry juice is particularly good for gout.

Nutritional Supplements: For gout sufferers, the following nutritional supplements are suggested: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 1.8 grams daily), vitamin E (400-800 IU daily), folic acid (under a physician’s supervision, 10-40 mg every day), and quercetin with bromelain (125–250 mg three times a day between foods).

Alternative Expert Care

For fighting gout, the following treatments can be helpful: Acupuncture, Detoxification Therapy, Energy Medicine (electro-dermal testing), Environmental Medicine, Magnetic Area Therapy, Mental Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Qigong, Reflexology, Sound Therapy, and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these Alternative Treatments.)