Gout: Symptoms, Causes And Natural Remedies

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain. A gout is a common form of arthritis due to Uric Acid Crystal, which gets deposited in the joint and causes inflammation.

Gout gives rise to swelling and pain in joints in the body and mostly affects the toe of the leg. Other than that, it causes in the knee, wrist, ankle, and elbow.

Let us understand gout properly and learn how to treat it at home with a healthy diet.

Table Of Content

1. What Is Gout In Hindi?

2. What Are The Symptoms Of Gout?

3. What Are The Causes Of Gout?

4. Which Foods Are Good For Gout?

5.Natural Remedies For Gout

6. Who Is At Risk Of Gout?

7. What Foods Cause Gout?

8. Can Gout Be Cured?

9. Dietitian’s Recommendation

10. The Final Say

 11. FAQs

What Is Gout In Hindi?

Gout is called Gathiya  in Hindi. It is a painful disease caused mainly by joints and tenderness to the joints. It mostly happens to people who are obese and overweight.

The normal range for men to catch this disease is 6mg/100ml & for females, it is 5mg/100ml if get exceeds 2.5g in patients with gouty arthritis and over 18-31g in patients with gouty tophi.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gout?

A gout attack is an episode of pain and inflammation mainly occurring at night due to lower levels of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol.

The first sign of gout is sudden and severe pain in the toe or other joints and constant discomfort.

The Symptoms Of Gout Include

If you are struggling with these underwritten symptoms, your body might be ringing the bell for this disease, so you should consider visiting a doctor on a priority basis.

• Swelling in the joints
• Redness
• Intense pain
• Stiffness
• Warmth in the inflamed area(toe, ankle, thumb, knee, foot)
• Feeling of tenderness; even a thin bedsheet can aggravate the pain
• Very less motion (difficulty in moving your gout affection area)
• Discomfort which lingers for a long time

What Are The Causes Of Gout?

When we consume certain foods and beverages, our body makes uric acid while breaking down purines which slip into the kidneys and gets flushed out through the urine.

When the body produces an excess amount of uric acid, it causes a load in the kidney to filter it through the urine. As a result, the excess uric acid gets deposited into the joints, and gradual deposition makes a crystal-like structure (needle-shaped). 

Which then starts to inflame the joints and cause swelling and painful gout attacks. Hyperuricemia is the leading cause of gout which means excessive uric acid in the bloodstream.

Which Foods Are Good For Gout?

Remembering and consuming the right diet during such health conditions can make a great difference than not paying attention to what food you consume.

1. Yoghourt (low fat)

Yoghourt contains anti-inflammatory properties and calcium, which soothes gout symptoms.

2. Avocado

Avocado is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, which are great for gout and high in anti-inflammatory properties and vitamin E, which reduces gout symptoms.

3. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which lowers the uric acid in the body and curbs the painful gout attack, so you can consume strawberries, oranges, pineapples etc.

4. Cherries

Cherries are rich in anthocyanins antioxidants which help lower inflammation and are good to consume if you are suffering from gout.

5. Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine, which helps to reduce the risk of a gout attack. Therefore, having 2 cups of coffee daily for gout patients is acceptable. 

Natural Remedies For Gout

There is no health condition in which natural remedies cannot help release the pain and repair most of the damage. ToneOp brings some amazing home cure tips to provide you relaxation from excruciating gout pain.

1. Ice Application On The Inflamed Joints

You can apply an ice pack for about 10-15 minutes daily to curb joint pain. Use it sparingly, though. The ice pack will help to curb the pain and reduce the constant discomfort.

2. Drink Ample Water

To reduce gout symptoms, drink plenty of water so the swelling and inflammation can be curbed. Drinking excess water helps the kidney flush out more of the body's toxins, including uric acid. So having herbal tea and soups can also work along with water.

3. Stress Reduction

Excess stress can elevate pain, so move yourself a little when you feel the pain. Meditate a for some time and follow some breathing exercises to keep your mind relaxed, which will ultimately help to curb the pain.

4. Have Lemon Water

We have heard people saying not to eat or drink certain food items or beverages to avoid joint pain; however, lemon water twice a day helps flush out toxins from the body and reduces gout pain.

5. Have A Balanced Diet Regularly

Consumption of a balanced diet is necessary for such health conditions for faster recovery. Have ample antioxidant and omega-3-rich foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, flaxseeds, chia seeds, avocados, etc. They will soothe the inflammation.

Who Is At Risk Of Gout?

Gout is most common in men compared to women and adults compared to children.

Gout in women is mainly experienced when she hits menopause. While there are other reasons also which can trigger gout occurrence.

The People Who Are At Risk Of Getting Gout Are

Considering these points and working towards prevention can help eliminate the chances of catching the disease.

• One who eats more meats and processed foods and sea foods
• Males aged between 30-50 years 
• People who are overweight 
• People who drink alcohol excessively
• People who have a family history of gout
• People who had an organ transplant
• People who are more often exposed to lead (a chemical element)

What Foods Cause Gout?

When the body produces excess uric acid, the kidneys struggle to keep up. Moreover, uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues when the levels are excessive. Sharp, needle-like crystals cause gout. However, many folks with greater uric acid levels never get gout. 

However, underwritten reasons can cause gout and should be kept a check.

1. Alcohol Consumption

Consuming alcohol can inhibit kidneys from flushing out uric acid and keeping the uric acid in the body, which then gets deposited in the joints. However, not all alcohol is high in purines, but they restrict the filtration of uric acid out of the body.

2. Sugary Sweets And Drinks

Table sugar is half fructose which breaks down into uric acid, and drinking lots of sugary drinks and sweets can trigger gout and cause painful gout attacks.

3. Certain Seafood

Crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and mussels can cause gout because they contain purines in high quantities. So, try to consume it in minimum portions.

4. White Bread

Foods that raise blood sugar can also trigger gout by increasing the uric acid level some other refined foods, including cookies and cake, can raise gout and blood sugar levels.

5. Honey

Honey is high in fructose which can secrete purines in the body. So, avoid consuming more honey, especially for people who have gout.

Can Gout Be Cured?

According to the Centres for disease control and prevention (CDC), there is currently no cure for gout. However, treatments are available to help manage the condition and reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Treating gout typically involves a combination of medications and routine adjustments.

Gout can be managed through a proper diet which helps to reduce inflammation and other symptoms. Also, you can consult your health care professional for better advice and a nutritionist and dietitian for food-related queries.

Dietitian’s Recommendation

Gout is a disease requiring thorough care, especially regarding the foods we eat. Therefore, it is important to understand the foods that trigger the pain and should be kept at bay.

So several foods should be consumed if you are suffering from gout.

These are foods which can be consumed without hesitation.

• Quinoa
• Yellow moong dal
• Paneer 
• Moong sprouts 

                                                                                       -Dietitian Akshata Gandevikar 

The Final Say

Gout is a severe inflammatory disease that needs to be taken care of depending on the disease's severity. However, it can be managed through a proper diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which help provide relaxation and reduce inflammation. Plenty of fluid consumption through which the excess uric acid can be flushed out is one way to 

FAQs

1. Are gout and arthritis related?

Yes, gout is another form of arthritis, an inflammatory disease caused mainly by the toe of the feet.

2. Who is at the highest risk of having gout?

People who are overweight, obese, eat more meats and seafood and have diseases like kidney troubles, hypertension etc., are at greater risk of gout.

3. Is gout a communicable disease?

Gout generally occurs in joint at a time. However, it does spread to other joints.

4. Why do gout attacks occur at night?

Lower body temperature is the main reason why gout attacks occur at night.

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