What is it?
If
you have ever awakened at 2 am with a sharp pain in your big toe you
may have experienced an attack of gout.
It occurs between 40 and 50 years of age. 90% of gout cases are
male. Although very few females develop gout it can occur in
post-menopausal women. Other conditions can mimic the symptoms of
gout. Joint infections
and rheumatoid arthritis can be confused with gout.
The pain usually occurs in the lower extremities and most
frequently involves the first metatarsal phalangeal (big toe) joint.
Onset usually begins at night.
Gout is called the “rich man’s disease” because it is
closely related to dietary factors.
An excess consumption of plant and animal proteins produce a
chemical called urea. The
joint pain results from an accumulation of urate crystals that comes
from this urea. Gout is a
purine (type of protein building block) metabolic disorder.
This excess urea can also result in kidney stones. These stones
may be uric acid or calcium in composition.
Alcohol, diet, surgery and trauma are some of the triggers
suspected.
What is the
medical treatment?
In
severe cases medication prescribed by a physician may be necessary.
Allopurinol (Zyloprim), Colchicine, Non-steroidal
Anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e.: Motrin or Advil) and/or corticosteriods
(prednisone) may be prescribed. Be
aware of their possible side effects.
What can I do to
prevent it?
Since
gout is a purine metabolism disorder, dietary changes to decrease
purine intake are suggested. By
lowering animal and vegetable protein consumption uric acid production
is decreased.
·
Drink 8-10 glasses of purified or distilled water.
Water helps promote the excretion of uric acids.
·
Alcohol should be eliminated from the diet.
·
Eat raw fruits like blueberries, strawberries, cherries,
cranberries and watermelon to help neutralize uric acid.
Black cherry or cranberry concentrate can be diluted with
purified water. Berries are also very potent antioxidants. Celery and
celery juice are helpful. They
contain silicon, which is important for connective tissue and joints.
·
Avoid organ meats such as liver, kidneys, tripe,
sweetbreads and tongue.
·
Avoid excessive amounts of red meat.
·
Avoid seafood like mackerel, anchovies, herring,
sardines, shellfish, fish roe and scallops.
·
Avoid vegetables like spinach, asparagus, mushrooms,
peas, lentils, beans and peanuts.
They contain purines that contribute to uric acid production.
·
Avoid caffeine products like coffee, tea and soft
drinks.
·
Avoid rancid oils from fried foods and roasted nuts.
These destroy Vitamin E and increase uric acid levels.
·
Weight loss may be very important in overweight
individuals. Be careful though, rapid weight loss can contribute to a
gouty attack.
Are there
complications of gout?
Where
high uric acid has been present for a long time and acute gout has
been frequent and severe, deposits of uric acid salts may appear
around the affected joint and even in tissues elsewhere such as the
ears. These are seen as chalk colored nodules called tophi. Their
presence indicates the need for treatment with one or other of the
long-term uric acid lowering drugs mentioned above and dietary
lifestyle changes. High uric acid levels and recurrent gout are often
associated with high blood pressure that will have to be monitored by
a health care practitioner and treated as necessary. This combination
of hyperuricaemia and high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage so
it is all the more important, not just because of the effects on the
joints, to correct this state of affairs through the proper use of all
the measures mentioned above under your health care practitioner’s
supervision.
Are
there alternatives to Medicine?
According to
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gout is a condition of damp heat.
It is an excess situation requiring cleansing bitter and cooling
foods and or herbs: