What Is Gout?

A health article about Gout from Your Health Online the A to Z directory of dealing with Health Problems & nutritional Self Care Strategies

Gout has been called the disease of kings because many associate it with overindulging in rich food and drink.

It is a form of arthritis that affects more than 2 million Americans.

Unfortunately, the incidence of this disease is on the rise as the population of many countries grows older and heavier.

While it is a complicated condition that can strike anyone, there are many effective medications and treatments available today.

Use this quick guide to educate yourself about gout and keep your joints healthy.

Some of the common symptoms of Gout

Your body usually removes excess uric acid when you urinate, but sometimes it can accumulate in your blood and start to form needle-like crystals in your joints.

This can be due to your diet or to your body making too much uric acid on its own.

Spot the symptoms:

Many gout patients notice tingling or other sensations before an attack during which the affected joint becomes red, swollen, and painful.

In some cases, your joints can be so sensitive that even the pressure of a bed sheet or a breeze can be irritating.

Facts About Gout

1. Learn the definition.

Gout occurs when too much uric acid builds up in your blood. The uric acid hardens into crystals that cause inflammation in your joints.

The most common causes of gout are being overweight and consuming too much alcohol and animal foods that contain high levels of substances called purines.

2. Spot the symptoms.

Gout often appears at night.

Your big toe may ache, feel tender, and turn red.

Gout can also affect other joints, such as your knees and ankles.

3. Know your risk factors.

In addition to lifestyle factors, gout can run in the family or be associated with other illnesses like diabetes and certain cancers.

What Causes It And Who are prone to Gout?

It affects more than 8 million Americans from all walks of life.

It’s a form of arthritis that can be very uncomfortable and a little tricky to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to several other joint conditions.

Men are 3 times more likely to develop gout than women, and you could also be at high risk depending on your family history, drinking habits, and other factors.

It’s caused by a buildup of uric acid that produces inflammation in the big toe or other joints.

Gout usually responds well to medication and lifestyle changes.

While most attacks will run their course in a few days to a few weeks, proper treatment can also relieve many of the most troubling symptoms and reduce joint damage.

Learn how to live more comfortably with gout.

Understanding your medical options and recommended lifestyle changes can help you to manage your condition.

Preventing and Managing Gout

 1. Ask for a diagnosis.

Simple tests can measure the amount of uric acid in your blood or fluid around your joints.

Your doctor will also monitor your symptoms to determine if you require treatment, since many individuals have high levels of uric acid without experiencing any adverse effects.

2. Treat acute flare-ups.

Immediate treatment can stop most gout attacks in less than a day.

Treatment may include steroid shots, other medications, and rest for the affected joint.

3. Receive long term care.

It's important to remember that joint deterioration may continue even when you're free from visible symptoms.

Chronic gout can also affect your kidneys. Your doctor may recommend ongoing treatment.

4. Avoid alcohol.

Alcohol aggravates gout, especially in the case of beer, which is full of purine chemicals. Liquor is another culprit.

There is conflicting evidence about the effects of wine, but recent studies suggest it may also contribute to flare-ups.

5. Cut back on soda.

Fructose-sweetened beverages can also trigger the onset of gout.

Water is a better choice because it helps your kidneys flush out more uric acid.

6. Lose weight.

Sensible weight loss is essential for dealing with gout.

Crash diets that fail to provide enough calories may trigger your body to produce more uric acid.

Rely on regular exercise and nutrient dense foods instead.

7. Change your diet.

Thanks to modern drugs, most gout patients no longer have to endure severely restricted diets.

Still, it's a good idea to get most of your calories from fruits and vegetables.

Eat healthy fats and cut back on the foods highest in purines, such as red meat and seafood.

8. Take your prescriptions.

Your doctor may suggest escalating doses of drugs that reduce uric acid levels.

You may also want to talk with your doctor about alternatives to medications that can trigger attacks, such as aspirin and diuretics.

9. Prepare for medical stress.

The stress associated with medical procedures may also aggravate gout.

Let your doctor know about any conditions you have when you're having surgery or undergoing any major medical procedure.

When To Seek Medical Care For Gout

To develop your treatment plan, your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist.

That’s a doctor who specializes in diseases that affect joints, muscles, and bones.

Get diagnosed.

Your doctor may order several tests, but a joint fluid test is the most conclusive.

By drawing fluid from your joint and looking at it under a microscope, they’ll be able to tell if the urate crystals associated with gout are present.

Treatment/Therapy:

Experts estimate that 9 out of 10 people can find effective relief from gout through appropriate medication and lifestyle changes.

Talk with your doctor about your individual concerns.

A healthy diet and proper treatment can protect your joints and keep you free from discomfort.

Take medication.

There are numerous drugs now available that can treat gout attacks, relieve pain and complications, and help prevent future attacks.

Your doctor may also adjust your medication over time if your symptoms change.

Apply ice.

If you want to try managing your pain without medication, it may help to apply ice or cold compresses to sore joints.

Keep a cloth or other barrier between the ice and your skin.

Continue monitoring.

Measuring uric acid levels is an important part of managing gout.

Ask your doctor to set up a schedule of regular appointments, so you can stay on track.

Use of Colchicine for Gout Treatment

         Colchicine is another drug that is used to treat gout.  Unlike probenecid, colchicine can be used during an acute gouty attack as well as for maintenance in preventing attacks. 

It is unknown how colchicine resolves an attack.  Aside from that, colchicine is also used to treat other conditions such as Mediterranean fever.Formulation

         Colchicine comes in two formulations:

Ø  Injection: 1 mg/2ml

Ø  Tablets: 0.5 mg, 0.6 mgUsage

         Use colchicine as directed by your physician.  In resolving acute attacks, patients are initially given 1.2 mg orally.  Increasing dose is given gradually with 0.6 mg every hour or 1.2 mg per 2 hours. 

         This is continued until symptoms resolved, when side effects (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) are experienced, or when a maximum dose of 8 mg is achieved. 

         Dosages of 0.6mg taken orally for 3-4 days a week will prevent gout attacks in patients having one attack per year or less.  Those who have more than one attack per year are to take 0.6mg or colchicine daily. 

         It is to be taken with a full glass of water in a full stomach.  It is important that you take in extra water during the course of your therapy to prevent build up of renal stones. 

         During the course of the treatment, it is advised that you limit the amount of purine-rich foods in your diet.Special Considerations:

         When you are given colchicine, it is important that you tell your doctor about the following medical conditions if you have them:

Ø  Allergy to any drugs

Ø  Liver disease

Ø  Kidney disease

Ø  Heart disease

Ø  Gastrointestinal disorder such as ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease

Ø  Pregnancy

Taking alcohol during the course of the therapy is also not advised as it decreases the effect of colchicine.

Watch out for signs of drug overdose which are GI symptoms (nausea and vomiting, diarrhea), muscular weakness, unusual bleeding, numbness, and ascending paralysis (paralysis starting from the legs going up). 

Once any of these conditions are experienced, it is important to stop taking the drug and rush to the nearest hospital for medical management. 

If you are scheduled for surgery of any nature (may it be a simple incision or a dental extraction), advise your doctor that you are taking the drug. 

You must also inform the laboratory technician that you are taking colchicine for it will affect uric acid levels in your urine.Side Effects

         Inform your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Ø  Paresthesia

Ø  Nausea

Ø  Vomiting

Ø  Diarrhea

Ø  Itchiness

Ø  Anemia

Keep up with your scheduled laboratory examinations to monitor the effects of colchicine. 

If the drug is proven not to be effective, your doctor may prescribe other gout medications.

Self Care strategies for managing Gout

1. Limit alcohol.

Beverages and foods high in a substance called purine can trigger gout attacks.

That includes alcohol, especially beer.

2. Avoid certain foods.

Foods rich in purine include organ meats, game meats, and some seafood.

Check labels for high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners too.

While they’re not high in purine, they can trigger gout attacks.

3. Eat healthy.

Most of the foods that may help lower uric acid levels are suitable for any balanced diet.

That includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, dairy products, and eggs.

4. Drink water.

Staying well hydrated can also help your body to remove uric acid more efficiently.

Drink water with meals and carry a bottle around with you.

5. Lose weight.

Obesity and related conditions like diabetes greatly increase your risk for gout.

Shed pounds gradually with a lower calorie diet and regular exercise.

Great progress has been made in treating gout in recent years.

Talk with your doctor about your options and control your symptoms by adjusting your diet, limiting alcohol, and losing any excess weight.

What You Need to Know About Keeping Your Joints Safe and Healthy

Joints form the connections between your bones. Your joints help support your body weight and allow you to move comfortably.

You use them for everything from bending your leg to nodding your head.

Some joints, like your elbows and knees, carry a heavy work load. That wear and tear can add up over a lifetime.

Learn how to care for your joints so you can reduce your risk of soreness.

You'll feel better and be able to perform your daily activities with more comfort.

Preventing Joint Pain

1. Watch your weight.

Experts say that every pound of body weight puts four pounds of stress on your knees. A lean figure slows down the deterioration of cartilage and other tissue.

2. Eat a balanced diet.

While you're counting calories, ensure you get all the nutrients your bones need. That includes calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, phosphorous, magnesium, and protein.

3. Participate in aerobic activities.

Weight bearing exercises, like aerobics classes or daily walks, promote bone density. Schedule in some aerobic exercise each day. If you already have injuries, opt for lower impact alternatives like swimming or bicycling.

4. Train for strength.

Resistance exercises build up your muscles and ligaments, which takes some of the pressure off your joints.

5. Modify exercises as needed.

In general, you want to avoid any movements that cause joint pain. Browse online or ask a trainer how to design a workout that's safe for you.

Double up your exercise mat to pad your knees during floor exercises, or skip certain positions altogether.

6. Move around.

Moving around frequently can reduce stiffness. Take regular breaks from desk work or watching TV to stretch and walk around.

7. Try devices.

Some people wear shoe inserts that absorb part of the shock that usually hits the knees and hips.

Joints can also be stabilized with specially designed braces. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend devices for your individual needs.

8. Quit smoking.

Tobacco weakens your bones and joints. If you've tried giving up cigarettes before, it's worth another effort.

Most people require multiple attempts before they succeed.

9. Prevent falls and other accidents.

Injuries, such as strains and sprains, can lead to arthritis and other chronic issues.

Wear proper safety gear for sports and work tasks. Enhance your ability to balance through yoga or Pilates.

Caring for Sore Joints

1. Talk with your doctor.

There are many causes for joint pain including arthritis, bursitis, gout, and specific injuries. Your physician can assess you to find out what may be causing your pain.

2. Seek emergency care. Know when to get immediate attention. Go to an emergency room if you're unable to move a joint or begin to experience severe pain and swelling.

3. Rely on PRICE.

Most injuries can be treated at home with the traditional PRICE method of protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

You may also want to add in a heating pad if you find it soothing.

4. Take medication as directed. Many over-the-counter and prescription drugs are used to treat joint pain, swelling, and related muscle spasms.

Your doctor might prescribe antidepressants or antiepileptic drugs to control pain.

5. Use topical agents.

Similarly, there are a variety of products you can rub on sore joints to provide relief. They usually contain capsaicin or methyl salicylate.

6. Consider injections or surgery. If you've tried all of these options and still need additional measures, there are more steps you can take.

Steroid injections help many patients, and joint replacement surgery has a high success rate. Aim to keep your joints in top condition as you age.

Simple lifestyle changes will strengthen your skeleton so you can stay fit, active, and pain-free.

Diet change strategies:

Thanks to modern drugs, most gout patients no longer have to endure severely restricted diets.

Still, it's a good idea to get most of your calories from fruits and vegetables.

Eat healthy fats and cut back on the foods highest in purines, such as red meat and seafood.

Vitamin & Nutrient Associations

Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance.

It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly.

The nutrition products I am going to recommend you make use of knowledge gained from the botanical world's 6,000 year history. They incorporated health building nutritional herbs with the best modern technology to help our bodies cleanse and detoxify so that the cells - the tiniest living units - can be as fully nourished as possible.

This allows the cells to grow, repair and to perform their functions with the best possible efficiency so that we feel and look better and are more able to prevent and fight disease. Once the body begins to clear itself of toxins it can more efficiently absorb nutrition.

Further reading through our articles on health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.

You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements and learn more about our core nutrition program, the Cellular Nutrition Advanced Program and also check out these targeted products, Florafiber to replace your healthy flora and Aloe Vera Juice to help cleanse your system.

Also using NouriFusion Skin Essentials will clearly help provide you with excellent skincare support for your ‘outer nutrition’.

We wish you well in your search for solutions to this problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.

More Resources available about

Below here are examples of Health Success Results other people have had with using a self care strategy for dealing with this condition:

We would be very interested to hear your result stories with your problem if you are using some of our nutrition products. To send us your story just fill out the form below.

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