INTRODUCTION
Gout is a complex and inflammatory form of arthritis in which pain and inflammation of the joint occurs. It is characterized by sudden sharp attacks of pain with tenderness and swelling. It most commonly affects big toe. The pain is so severe that it seems as if the big toe is on fire. The weight of bed sheet on it seems intolerable.
Gout occurs when uric acid crystals accumulated in the joints. It most commonly affects joint of big toe. However, other joints affected are – feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrist. The symptoms of gout come and go in episodes this known as flare ups. The treatment of gout includes certain medications and healthy diet. Regular physical exercise and yoga are very beneficial in its management.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GOUT?
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Kidney problems
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Eating foods that cause buildup of uric acid such as sea food, red meat
Gout occurs because of the accumulation of urate crystals in joints. This causes pain and inflammation in affected joint. Urate crystals are formed when there are high levels of uric acid in blood. Uric acid is formed from breakdown of purines. Purines are found in foods such as red meat, pulses, seafood’s and pulses. Increased intake of these foods can lead to increased levels of uric acid in blood. Normally, uric acid is excreted through urine. But when excessive, it builds up in body and forms urate crystals. This causes deposition of sharp needle-like crystals in joints.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF GOUT?
The factors which increase the risk of a person developing gout are:
- Males are more prone as compared to females
- Between the ages of 30 to 50 years
- Having a genetic predisposition to gout
- Increased intake of proteins
- Lack of physical exercise
- Being overweight
- Diabetes
- Congestive heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Blood cancer
- Consumption of alcohol
- Certain medications like immunosuppressant, diuretics, beta-blockers
- Metabolic syndrome
- Kidney problems
- Menopause
- Any trauma
- Surgery
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GOUT?
The common signs and symptoms of gout are:
- Intense pain in the affected joint
- Joint discomfort
- Inflammation and swelling of the joint
- Tenderness
- Fever
- Joint becomes warm, it seems as if the joint is on fire
- Discoloration of joint
- Decreased range of movement of the affected joint
WHAT ARE THE FOODS WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GOUT?
The foods which are high in purines increase the uric acid levels in blood. Following are the foods which can cause gout:
- Soft drinks
- Alcohol
- Organ meats such as liver, brains, kidneys
- Corn syrup
- Seafood’s such as mussels, codfish, tuna
- Red meat like beef, lamb, pork
- Certain pulses
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GOUT?
The complications which are associated with gout are:
- Advanced form of gout
- Recurrent gout
- Increased formation of kidney stones
HOW THE DIAGNOSIS OF GOUT IS MADE?
The doctor will do a physical examination of the patient. He will look for swelling and tenderness in the joint. He will take family history of the patient. Doctor will suggest some of the following tests to the patient:
- Blood tests
- Joint fluid test
- X-ray imaging
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- DECT test
Management of Gout according to Ayurveda-
In Ayurveda gout is classified as a Vata rakta. Gout occurs when the vata dosha is unbalanced.
Panchkarma for Gout-
- Virechana
- Basti
Herbs for Gout-
- Giloy
- Hareetaki
- Guggulu
Yoga asana for gout-
- Sarvangasan
- Shavasana
- Matsyasana
- Dhanurasana
Gout Care Kit
1. Pain-O-Kill Oil:
Pain o kill oil is ayurvedic and purely herbal formulation. It help to relax your muscles and muscles cramps thus relieving pain. It balances all the three doshas of your body thus maintaining proper blood circulation. It provides soothing effect to the affected area of pain. It contains various herbs like Jivanti, Musta, Usher, Bilwa, Shatavri and Kantakari. All these herbs are natural pain relievers.Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily before meal.
2. Easy Clean Tablet:
easy clean tablet keeps the stomach clean and removes constipation. Ayurveda states that if the stomach is not clean, then in a way, it is responsible for many diseases. So according to that, stomach cleansing is a medicine that prevents a lot of diseases. With the use of easy clean, we also get relief from gas problems. If someone has problems with gas, then the head is usually heavier than that. So the use of stomach protection gives relief from gas problem.Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablet twice daily with normal water.
2. Nerve up tablet:
These tablets are pure ayurvedic formulation. Nerve up tablets help in balancing the vata and kapha dosha. It acts as a nervine stimulant. It shows effective results in improving the central nervous system. It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchala, shudha shilajeet, praval pishti, shankh bhasma etc. It is very beneficial to relieve the swelling, tenderness, inflammation of the joints. This also helps in the treatment of joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, sciatica, etc.Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily.
3. Pain-O-kill Tablets:
As the name suggests these tablets will kill the pain naturally. The herbs present in the formation of these tablets are Ashwagandha, Hadjod, Punarnava, Nirgundi, Methi, Garlic, etc. These herbs in combination show antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator properties. The regular use of these tablets reduce body pain and acts on its root cause.Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
4. Uric care tablets:
Uric care tablets reduces Kapha doshas impacting high URIC ACID levels of the body and acts as a potent diuretic. It helps reduce the pain while passing urine and clear the obstruction of urine. It is also used to treat cough, oedema, asthma and various kidney problems. It contains ingredients like gokhru, imali kshar, yavakshar, kalmi shora, nausadar, swarna gairik etc. This formulation possesses hypotensive, antimicrobial, aphrodisiac and diuretic properties.Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily.
