If you
awaken from a sound sleep to excruciating joint pain in your big toe, you may
be experiencing one of several gout symptoms. Gout is on the rise in
America, affecting millions of people each year. In fact, the latest research,
from 10 years ago, found that the rates of gout doubled in 20 years prior.
More than eight million Americans have gout.
Many believe this dramatic increase
is due to poor diets, obesity and a lack of exercise, although genetics is also
thought to play a role.
Too much
uric acid in the body can also cause kidney stones and in more severe cases
lead to kidney failure due to the blockage caused by uric acid crystals. In
addition, if the root cause of gout is not addressed, you may be at a greater
risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease.
Statistically,
men are far more likely to get gout than women. However, it is becoming more
common in women, particularly after menopause.
What Is
Gout?
Gout is a painful condition
considered a complex form of arthritis that is caused when too much uric acid
builds up in the body. High levels of uric acid causes the formation of
crystals in the joints, creating intense pain and inflammation. The body
produces uric acid as it breaks down purines, which are commonly found in
meats, seafood, legumes, alcohol, fructose, yeast and some vegetables.
When the body is functioning
optimally, the uric acid dissolves into the blood stream and then passes
through the kidneys and into the urine where it is released. However, if you
have too much uric acid, or your kidneys can’t keep up, the acid builds up and
forms the needle-like crystals in a joint that cause the intense pain.
Without adequate treatment and
dietary changes, gout attacks are likely to recur, and generally will become
more frequent, more painful, and last longer than the first attack.
In
addition to the pain and discomfort, if you have recurrent gout attacks, you
may be at a greater risk of developing other conditions including heart attacks
and cancer, with prostate cancer being of particular concern for men. It is
imperative to find the gout treatment that works for you to protect against
future serious health conditions.
5 Natural Gout Treatments
As gout is
believed to be caused, at least in part, by certain foods, changing your diet
may help to reduce gout symptoms and prevent future attacks. In addition, natural gout remedies can help speed the healing cycle, providing relief without the serious side
effects common with conventional gout medications.
1.
Cherries:
Researchers
have found that two days of cherry intake can reduce recurrent gout attacks by
35 percent. Researchers found that when combined with allopurinol, the risk of
recurrence was lowered by 75 percent. Cherries are known to reduce inflammation and
promote weight loss; drinking unsweetened cherry juice during a gout occurrence
can provide relief.
2. Celery
Seed Extract:
Rich with antioxidants, celery seed
extract helps to decrease uric acid in the body. Buy high-quality supplements
or drink celery juice throughout the day to help relieve gout symptoms while
reducing the length of the occurrence.
3. Coffee:
Drink
coffee; both regular or decaf coffee has been shown to lower uric acid levels
in the body. While researchers haven’t been able to determine how it works,
numerous studies indicate it may help.
4. Vitamin
C:
Multiple
studies, and a recent double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial have
shown that higher vitamin C intake significantly reduces uric acid levels. If
you’ve had gout before, be sure to consume vitamin C
rich foods, or take a high-quality supplement
daily.
5.
Turmeric:
One of the
most effective anti-inflammatory compounds available, turmeric can help relieve the
inflammation and pain associated with gout. Multiple studies have shown
turmeric’s active compound’s (curcumin) power at fighting inflammation. Select
a supplement with piperine (black pepper) to improve turmeric’s absorption.
While natural gout remedies do help
to relieve the pain and discomfort, for true healing it’s important to address
the underlying causes of gout and address any risk factors you may have to
prevent future gout attacks.
Final
Thoughts
· Gout is an
excruciatingly painful condition that comes on quickly and without warning.
· It is most common in men; however, the rates of gout are increasing
exponentially across many demographics.
· Improving your diet and removing foods that are high in purines may help
stave off recurrences.
· Left untreated, gout can develop into chronic tophaceous gout, a serious
condition that can result in tophi bumps and permanent deformity in the
affected joints.
· Individuals with gout are at an increased risk for certain types of
cancers, heart disease and kidney disease.
· Regular exercise may help to flush uric acid out of the system more
quickly.
· Higher vitamin C intake is associated with a lower overall risk for
developing gout.
· Staying hydrated is key; dehydration may trigger an attack, so drink at
least 64 ounces of fresh water daily.
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