Gout

Description

Gout usually strikes without warning. One moment the victim is feeling fine; then, within a matter of hours, a particular joint becomes acutely painful, red, and swollen. The most commonly affected joint is the one at the base of the big toe, but joints elsewhere in the feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists may be affected. While the affected joint will ache for anywhere from 3 to 10 days, the pain will gradually fade over the course of the next week. Sixty percent of gout sufferers have a more severe and prolonged recurrence of the condition within a year of the initial attack.

Gout, also known as crystal-induced arthritis, occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint. Uric acid is produced by the body (and a small amount is derived from a substance in some foods called purine) to help with the digestive process. When the amount of uric acid in your body blood stream increases, the acid accumulates in the synovial fluid around your joints and forms crystals. The accumulation of a significant amount of crystal in a joint results in gout.

(Sometimes uric acid crystal deposits form in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones.) If left untreated, the high uric acid levels associated with gout can cause permanent joint damage or kidney problems.

Ninety percent of all gout victims are men over the age of 40. One out of every four sufferers has a family history of the ailment. Other suspected risk factors include: a diet high in purine-rich foods (such as sardines, anchovies, sweetbreads liver, and kidney), obesity, hypertension, and use of thiazide diuretics (for treating high blood pressure). An attack of gout also can be caused by the stress of an injury, such as a bone fracture or a surgical procedure.

Signs and Symptoms

• Acute, severe pain in a joint, usually in the big toe or ankle
• Swelling and redness in the affected joint
• Chills and fever

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you are suffering from an attack of gout, visit your physician. To diagnose the condition, your physician withdraws a small amount of fluid from the affected joint, and examines the white blood cells for uric acid crystals.

Medication can be helpful in treating acute attacks of gout, and also can prevent future attacks. Anti-inflammatory drugs are first used to treat inflammation. Then medications are prescribed to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body four of the most widely used medications are colchicine, indomethacin, probenecid, and allopurinol. With treatment, an attack of gout typically runs its course in four days to four weeks; after treatment, the affected joint usually returns to normal.

Although physicians are divided about whether certain foods can cause gout, it is always wise to avoid excessive alcohol consumption, keep weight within healthy limits, and avoid foods that contain high levels of purine.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

Since gout is the result of too much uric acid in the blood, tissues, and urine, it makes sense to limit foods that contribute to that surplus. Avoid anchovies, asparagus, herring, meat gravies and broths, mushrooms, mussels, and sardines. Meat also contains extremely high levels of uric acid, so do not eat meat (including organ meats) of any kind. Eliminate alcohol from your diet, as it contributes to the production of uric acid. Likewise, limit your intake of caffeine, cauliflower, lentils, fish, eggs, oatmeal, peas, poultry, spinach, and yeast products. White flour and sugar products are not healthy foods, so avoid cakes and pies.

Do eat only raw fruits and vegetables for two Weeks when an attack of gout strikes. If you are susceptible to gout, always include an abundance of strawberries and cherries, which neutralize Uric acid. Focus on grains, nuts, and seeds.

If you're overweight, lose those excess pounds. Do So sensibly however, avoiding any sort of crash diet. Sudden elimination of foods sometimes results in an increase in uric acid.

Follow these recommended daily supplement guidelines:

essential fatty acids (as directed on label, with meals)-repairs tissue and aids in healing. This disorder is often caused in part by an excess of saturated fats.

Most Important

• omega 3 fatty acids (fish or flaxseed oil; 2 tbsp)-acts as an anti-inflammatory
• vitamin B complex (100 mg)-aids proper digestion
• vitamin C with bioflavonoids (3000 to 5000 mg in divided doses)-lowers serum uric acid levels
• folic acid (200 mcg)-assists with nucleoprotein metabolism

Also Recommended

• kelp (1000 to 15,000 mg)-reduces serum uric acid
• potassium (99 mg)-necessary for proper mineral balance
• zinc (30 mg, not to exceed a total of 100 mg from all supplements)-repairs tissues and aids in protein metabolism
• calcium (1500 mg)-reduces the stress caused by gout; Take before bedtime with magnesium (750 mg)

(For an acute condition, take supplements until your symptoms subside. If symptoms persist, seek the advice of your healthcare provider. For a chronic condition, consult your health care provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

Bodywork and Somatic Practices

CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and polarity therapy are good starting points. As inflammation lessens, reflexology and Oriental bodywork can be effective. As healing ensues and the pain subsides, Feldenkrais can begin to bring gentle integrated activity back to the body.

Chiropractic

In many cases, gout affects the ankles and lower extremities, as uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints. After appropriate medical and nutritional consultation, patients with gout may seek chiropractic care, which can be effective in decreasing the swelling and pain associated with the condition.

Herbal Therapy

To help eliminate uric acid from your system, drink an infusion of celery seed or gravelroot up to three times a day. Infuse 2 teaspoons of either herb in 1 cup boiling water; strain.

To relieve pain and inflammation, try willow tea. Since willow contains salicylates, avoid using it if you're allergic to aspirin.

Homeopathy

Your homeopathic practitioner may recommend one of the following treatments for gout, depending on your symptoms: Colchicum (an extract of autumn crocus) if your big toe is painful, especially when touched or moved; Ledum if your foot feels better when placed in ice water.

Hydrotherapy

To ease discomfort, apply a cold Compress or ice pack to the affected joint for 20 minutes several times a day. Don't exceed 20 minutes, as prolonged exposure to cold can damage the skin. A full-body steam bath excluding the head (a Russian bath) can also bring relief.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Acupuncture can be instrumental in relieving the pain and swelling caused by gout. It also can be used to help reduce a gout-induced fever. The acupuncturist works on points related to (but not near) the swollen joint, to avoid causing additional pain.

Acupressure Acupressure points that correspond to the kidneys may be massaged to regulate the flow of uric acid. In addition, points and meridians that relate to the affected joint(s) may be targeted, to allay pain and reduce swelling.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Herbs that may be given to treat gout and control uric acid production are Clematis and Stephania Formula (a common Chinese gout medicine) and polygonum Tablets to relieve pain.