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Cure for Gout |
Cure for GoutGout has plagued mankind since the ancient days.
This form of arthritis is caused due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a byproduct that is created when certain types of food are digested in the body. Under normal circumstances, the uric acid so formed, is extracted by the kidneys and removed in the form of urine. However, when the kidneys are unable to remove this uric acid properly, it results in the deposition of uric acid crystals in the body.
The crystals may lodge themselves in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones, or get deposited in the joints, leading to the arthritic symptoms of gout.
Although doctors have been unable to identify the root cause behind gout, it is suspected that this inability on the part of the kidneys to process uric acid may be genetic. Attacks of gout can be precipitated by consuming foods that give out large amounts of uric acid as a byproduct. Such foods include sardines, anchovies, brains, liver, kidneys, tripe, sweetbreads, tongue, shellfish, fish roe, scallops, peas, lentils, beans red meat, and alcohol, and should be strictly avoided by people suffering from this condition.
Gout treatment consists of managing the various symptoms that manifest themselves with this disease.
These may include sudden, severe pain and tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling, in the affected joints. Gout most commonly affects the joint of the big toe, and the painful symptoms may cause a person to believe that it has been broken or dislocated.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should get yourself examined by your physician. He or she will make a diagnosis based on physical examinations, x-rays, blood tests to detect uric acid, and examination of synovial fluid from the affected joint.
Once the diagnosis of gout is confirmed you will be treated with anti-inflammatory medication. The most common medications used are NSAIDs, an acronym for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These may be administered orally or by injection. In case of acute attacks where the NSAIDs are not strong enough, you may be given a dose of colchicin.
You may have to keep taking low dosages of these medicines to prevent the onset of further attacks. In addition you may be prescribed medicines to lower the levels of uric acid in your body.
You can help aid the treatment process by following the instructions given by your physician. You will probably have to make some changes in your diet and lifestyle to lower the levels of uric acid in your body. The ideal gout treatment diet would be a vegetarian diet consisting of raw fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, cherries and strawberries.
Avoid all meat products that are may lead to an excess production of uric acid. Drink lots of water. Natural spring water has found to be especially useful in combating high levels of uric acid. Regular consumption of black cherry juice is another excellent method of keeping those acid levels low.
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