Gout: Know what it is and what you can do about it
Gout, also known as acute gouty arthritis, is a sudden onset of joint pain. This happens mostly in the legs and feet. Gout occurs when there is a build up of uric acid in the joints. Gout causes fever, joint pain, joint redness, stiff joints, and can sometimes cause skin lumps which can leak a chalky white substance.
Beef, iron, and pork are also purine rich foods, but these meats do not usually cause gout if they are consumed in moderation. Game meat may also contain high amounts of purine, although most people do not consume a large amount of game meat as part of a modern diet.
Dietary changes can alleviate gout symptoms also. Drinking a lot of water helps the body remove uric acid from the bloodstream. Dairy products, black cherry juice, and blueberries can also remove urate crystals from the body and uric acid from the bloodstream. Excessive vitamin C consumption elevates the levels of uric acid in and can contribute to the development of a gout toe.
Symptoms of a gout toe include intense pain, redness of the infected toe, and swelling of the infected area. A patient may think that he or she has broken his toe. The suspicion of a broken toe leads to him making a doctor’s appointment. The doctor will quickly determine the real cause of the pain. Gout treatments include avoiding purine rich foods. The doctor will most likely give a gout patient prescription painkillers.
Most doctors will use prescription medicines as the treatment for gout. A medicine called colchicine will help reduce inflammation, swelling and pain caused by sudden gout attacks. The medicine works by decreasing the uric acid crystals built up in the joint. However, the medicine does not reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood stream. Most often the pain usually goes away in about twelve hours of starting the treatment for gout, and is completely relieved by 48 hours. Taking the medicines colchicine, or allopurinol, usually prevents future attacks.
Chinese physicians have used mulberries to treat gout for centuries. The bioflavonoids in mulberries help remove uric acid from the blood stream and reduce the production of Urate crystals. One excellent supplement to help lower the impact of purine rich foods is Goutezol. The ingredients in Goutezol boost a persons immune system as well. Not only does this mulberry derived supplement defend against gout by blocking the absorption of purine, it lowers your risk of catching other illnesses as well.
Do you want to find out more about food for gout – Naturally Treat Gout- Why Curing Gout does NOT Require Medication, then check out our site and read more about Treat Gout Naturally- 5 Free Gout Remedy Tips that will Save you Pain and Money.