Simply put, gout is a form of arthritis that often occurs in the middle of the night. Often labeled the 'disease of kings' gout haunts over 2 million Americans annually. Gout is also known as the most painful types of arthritis. Gout results when needle-like crystals of uric acid form in the body's connective tissue or lodge themselves in the space between two bones or joints.
These uric acid crystals inflame the surrounding area and lead to gout's symptoms: Heat, Pain, Redness, Stiffness, Swelling, Arthritis attacks that develop in short time period (e.g., 12-24 hours), and Arthritis Attacks to one joint. Typical joints affected by gout include: elbows, fingers, heels, instep, and wrists. To view some photos of gout sufferers please click on our link below. Unfortunately, this is not all of the symptoms. Gout can also cause high blood pressure and kidney stones if left untreated. These symptoms can also be life-threatening if left untreated.
But why do I suffer?
The Cause of Gout
To answer what causes gout? We need to understand how uric acid appears in the body. You see, uric acid is actually a byproduct of a very necessary part of your body's normal function. However, gout sufferers often have higher levels of uric acid (called hyperuricemia) caused from the body's inability to break down the uric acid. The uric acid is typically eliminated from the body through the urine. If, however, you suffer from gout, the build up of uric acid crystals can find their way to joint spaces where they will cause painful inflammation that appear as lumps under the skin and can even disrupt the functioning of the kidney and cause the formation of kidney stones. Gout can cause serious damage quickly, it is extremely important that you treat your gout immediately.
Who's at risk for Gout?
Why could you be suffering from the horrific pain of gout? There could be various factors but here is what typically increases uric acid in the blood causing the gout:
Lifestyle: From eating to drinking to weight, your lifestyle - particularly your diet - can greatly affect your chances of getting gout.
Alcohol: More than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women - can quickly lead to gout. Especially, stay away from beer.
Overweight: People who weigh 30 pounds or more than their model weight risk getting gout simply because there is more tissue available for breaking down the uric acid. Diets rich in purine food can also increase your chances for gout. For more information, please check out our report at our link below.
Medical Conditions: Various medical conditions can also increase your chances of gout. Do you have any of the following: high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat or cholesterol in blood), arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), recent surgery or bed rest, and recent chemotherapy?
Medications: Are you currently on any of the following medications which may cause gout: diuretics (for hypertension, edema and heart disease), anti-inflammatory medicines with salicylic acid (such as aspirin), niacin (also called nicotinic acid) and a few others. It is noted, please do not stop taking these medications before talking with your doctor.
Family History: One out of every four people afflicted with gout have a family history with gout.
Age and Sex: Men are most often affected with gout as well as women who have reached menopause. Men typically develop gout between the ages of 30 and 50.
Home Remedies for Gout:
Fast of Orange Juice and Water
For an acute attack, there is no better remedy than a fast of orange juice and water. In severe cases, it is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts for three days or so rather than one long fast.
Find powerful herbal remedies Home Remedies for Gout
All Fruit Diet
After the acute symptoms subside, the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for another three or four days.
Natural Food diet
Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of natural foods, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and sprouts.
Avoid Purine and Acid Producing Foods
The patient should avoid all purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.
Also read about Natural Remedies for Arthritis
Arthritis Home Remedies or read more on herbalcureindia.com