Gout, one of the most painful types of arthritis, is characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). This condition leads to the accumulation of uric acid crystals on the joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, resulting in painful arthritis attacks. These crystals can also form masses, called 'tophi', on the joints. It has been observed that almost 90% of the gout patients are men and the most commonly affected part is the big toe. But it can also affect joints, like fingers, elbows, wrists, ankles, heel, instep, knees, or the spine. A gout attack is accompanied with stiffness and inflammation of the joint, redness, sudden pain, with or without mild fever. During the initial stages, the condition may disappear without treatment and may not recur for a long time. But repeated attacks, over a long time, can affect the mobility of the patient.
Gout Treatment
Gout is caused by the regular intake of food items with high purine content or due to the body's inability to excrete uric acid. It can also be an inherited abnormality. Some cases of gout develop due to medical conditions, like metabolic syndrome, leukemia, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, renal failure and hemolytic anemia. The treatment for gout is aimed at reducing the level of uric acid in the blood, preventing gout attacks, providing relief for the symptoms and preventing complications like kidney stones, formation of tophi and joint destruction.
Most gout cases are treated successfully, but if the patient has other medical conditions, or he is not complying to the treatment plan, it is difficult to cure the condition. Apart from alleviating pain and other related symptoms, medications are administered to bring down the serum uric acid. As far as prevention of gout is concerned, the contributory factors are studied carefully and relevant medications are prescribed along with lifestyle changes, which include dietary changes too.
Gout Treatment Diet
The main goal of dietary changes is to reduce the level of uric acid, which is formed by the breakdown of purines. Purines are found naturally in the body tissues and are also provided to the body through certain foods. According to some studies, patients who have adopted a gout treatment diet have been successful in reducing the symptoms of the disease. The most important part of this diet is the exclusion or reduction of foods that can cause gout as they are high in purine. They are meat, seafood, protein-rich foods and sweetened drinks. Foods which have very high purine content, like meat, liver, kidney, brain and sweetbreads, should be avoided.
Some types of seafood like anchovies, sardines, mussels, herring and mackerel also have high levels of purine. The intake of protein-rich food items, like meat products, eggs, poultry, fish and beans, should be limited. This loss can be compensated by including tofu and dairy products in your diet. Alcohol and sweetened sodas, which hamper the body's ability to flush out uric acid, should not be consumed, but drink lots of water to help the body in getting rid of uric acid through urine. Avoid brewers yeast (in beer) and baker's yeast (used in baked products), sugar, refined and junk food and caffeine. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, controlling obesity and timely food consumption, are also advised.
Gout is a disease which can be easily controlled by adhering to the treatment plan, including the medication, lifestyle changes and a proper gout treatment diet. There are also many natural gout remedies, which can provide relief from the symptoms. Gout home treatment includes the consumption of bananas, sweet or sour cherries, vegetable juice mixture (carrot, beetroot and cucumber), apple cider vinegar with honey, garlic, apple and lime juice with water. Proper exercises can also provide some relief to gout patients. But you have to seek advice from a qualified fitness trainer regarding exercises, which are best suited for your condition.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.
