
pain. Gout is caused by deposits of jagged crystals in the joints.
people in the United States are suffering with this condition. This number is up from 2.1 million just a few years ago and may be higher than the current estimates due to the number of unreported cases. Some experts suggest the dramatic rise in cases is directly linked to weight gain pointing to the fact that 55 percent of patients with gout are 15 percent or more above their ideal weight. If you make up the other 45 percent don’t feel left out, there are plenty of other causes to go around. In men, gout most often begins after the age of 30. In women attacks of gout generally don’t begin until menopause. Gout is a form of arthritis that produces sudden and intense pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints. Gout most commonly affects the large joint of the big toe but can occur in the knees, ankles, hands, and wrists. The initial attack is likely to be in the large joint of the big toe with subsequent attacks spreading to other joints. The attacks likely will disappear after 5 to 10 days and likely will reoccur unexpectedly, usually after a symptom free period of time. The discomfort of gout is directly linked to excess amounts of uric acid in the blood, a condition known as Hyperuricemia. Uric acid is naturally formed when the body breaks down waste products including dead cells. Under healthy conditions, the uric acid is dissolved in the blood and excreted by the kidneys into the urine. Excess uric acid in the blood is the result of increased production of uric acid, increased consumption of purine laden foods, or the inability of the kidneys to excrete uric acid efficiently. When extra uric acid circulates in the bloodstream, sharp, needle like crystals may form in the joint and its surrounding tissues. The crystals cause the area to become deformed and over time be damaged by the crystals. The damage can be quite severe lead to bone loss, joint damage, and in extreme cases disability. Diagnosis and Treatment
by its appearance, along with your medical history. Blood test may be required to confirm high uric levels in the blood, but the results of these tests may not be conclusive. The most accurate procedure for diagnosing gout involves the removal of fluid from an affected joint to examine it for uric acid crystals.
diet modification being the most often suggested avenues for treatment. Naturopathic doctors treat the condition through a combination of diet and herbal or homeopathic remedies containing a wide variety or ingredients. Examples would be turmeric powder, garlic extract, and standardized milk thistle extract. Medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve the pain and swelling. Colchicine may be used to relieve discomfort and help prevent future attacks but it must be pointed out that colchicine, when used to treat acute attacks, produces a substantial number of side effects in eight of ten patients. Uricosuric medications, which encourage the excretion of uric acid in the urine, may be used to lower the uric acid level in the blood by increasing the amount of uric acid passed in the urine. Uricosuric medication can produce uric acid kidney stones which can cause kidney damage. Allopurinol can reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood and urine by slowing the rate of uric acid production. Allopurinol on rare occasions can produce an itchy rash that may turn into a fatal skin disorder. Thus any rash should be reported to their doctor during treatment. Other side effects include hepatitis and inflammation of the small blood vessels. Dietary modification has long been one of the primary focuses of grout treatment both in conventional and alternative medicine. Recommendations include reducing intake of foods containing purines. When foods containing purines are metabolized, uric acid is produced. Purines are substances that occur naturally in the body as well as in certain foods. Foods high in purines include organ meats such as liver, sweetbreads, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, seafood, shellfish, beans, oatmeal, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, and brewer’s yeast. Abstaining from drinking alcohol is recommended for people who have gout because excessive alcohol use reduces the excretion of uric acid, possibly leading to a buildup of uric acid and an attack of gout. Drinking at least 6 eight ounce glasses of water a day can reduce the chances of a gout attack by diluting urine and increasing the amount of uric acid expelled naturally. It should be pointed out that diuretic medications tend to make gout worse and may even trigger a gout attack by increasing the amount of uric acid in the blood. Losing weight gradually is recommended to reduce the burden of weight on the affected joints. Rapid weight loss and fasting are to be avoided because they can cause an increase in uric acid levels. Bed rest is sometimes suggested to lessen the likelihood of recurrence, patients should remain in bed for about 24 hours after symptoms abate since movement can induce inflammation and trigger another attack. Because high dose aspirin may trigger an attack of gout, aspirin should not be used for pain relief. However, low dose aspirin therapy to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke – a half an aspirin or one baby aspirin daily – can safely be continued. Prescription medications that cause Hyperuricemia (excess uric acid in the blood) Patients predisposed to gout should avoid certain medications to prevent an attack. They are: Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril), cyclosporine ( an immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and prevent rejection of transplanted organs), furosemide (Lasix), and as discussed above high dose aspirin. All of these medications decrease uric acid excretion by the kidneys. Niacin should also be avoided.
|
| Thank You for Visiting Purchase Remedies.com |



