by tmccar on April 26, 2012
There are two main issues to be dealt with when treating gout. Firstly, it is important to deal with the swelling – the inflammation of joints, which are caused by gouty arthritis. And secondly, steps must be taken to prevent future gout attacks and to reduce the crystal deposits in the joint tissues, which are the cause of so much discomfort.
To treat an acute attack of gouty arthritis, the first priority is to take steps to reduce the inflammation, mainly through medication. And the prevention of future attacks is just as important – this may require radical changes to one’s diet. To be more specific, fluid intake will need to be increased (ideally, this should be water) and taken more frequently. If the patient is overweight, he or she will need to commit to a weight-loss program. If they are taking alcoholic drinks regularly, this will need to be greatly reduced (or eliminated completely). And prescription medication for reducing the blood’s uric acid level will need to be taken.
Having an adequate fluid intake will help prevent further acute gout attacks. It’s also useful in guarding against the formation of kidney stones (which can be a side-effect of gout). The reason why alcohol is such a problem is because it dehydrates the body. It can also have an adverse effect on the metabolism of uric acid, and this can lead to hyperuricemia (which is the condition of high uric acid levels in the blood). Both the dehydration and the slowing of metabolism contribute to the forming of acid crystals in the joints..
Changes to diet can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Because purine chemicals are converted into uric acid by the body, foods that are high in purine should be avoided. Typically, these are foods such as shellfish and organ meats (e.g. liver, brains, kidneys), and sweetbreads. In general, research has indicated that the consumption of meat or seafood increases the risk of gout, while dairy food consumption appears to lessen the risk. However, high-protein vegetables that are high in purine are not likely to cause gout.
High-fructose corn syrup (found in many soft drinks) increases the risk of gout and as I have mentioned already, alcohol consumption increases the risk greatly.
To prevent recurring gout attacks, one of the best proactive ways you can do this is to have a regular aerobic exercise program, in conjunction with a diet which targets body fat and calorie intake.
by tmccar on April 18, 2012
Natural treatments have consistently been the best alternative to expensive gout treatment. Gout can be an extremely sudden illness, and it’s brought on by uric acid crystal formations which may be lodged inside the joints, kidneys, and skin. The reason for this is because there is too much uric acid in the blood. Gout is commonly associated with a swollen big toe joint, but it can affect other joints also.
Try to avoid foods that have a high purine content. During digestion, foods which contain purine produce uric acid. When blood with high levels of uric acid circulates to the joints, it may crystallize in the form of monosodium urate. These crystals then trigger inflammation, which is the cause of the discomfort. Why the crystallization occurs is not well understood – it may be due to lower temperatures (which would explain why the big toe is often affected). Gout has dietary causes in about 12 per cent of cases, especially from the consumption of alcohol, fructose-sweetened drinks, meat, and seafood. Foods that were once considered to cause gout (but in fact, do not) include purine-rich vegetables (e.g., beans, peas, lentils, and spinach.
One of the most popular gout natural treatments is merely eating foods that can help bring your uric acid levels down. Cherries are known to be beneficial in this regard, as long as they are taken in sufficiently large quantities. A good rule-of-thumb is 25 per day. Consumption of water is also very important – this is especially important if you are exercising. If you get dehydrated, it’s easier for the uric acid crystals to form in the joints. Water will also help the body to eliminate uric acid.
For exercising, you could consider swimming which is good exercise for the whole body, yet does not put undue pressure on any of the joints. Vitamin C strengthens the body’s tissues and can also relieve joint discomfort. One apple each day helps to lower uric acid amounts. Apples have malic acid that reduces the agonizing effects of uric acid.
Try to maintain your weight to a reasonable level. Your doctor will advise you of what your ideal weight should be. Having extra body fat will increase the likelihood of gout.
Finally, a good diet plan is the best defence against gout. Avoid high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. High-protein foods can also contain high purine levels. Eat vegetables with high carbohydrate levels, such as potatoes and sweetcorn. Eat wholegrain cereals apples and bananas. Avoid seafood, and reduce your intake of red meat.
