Facts about Gout

Without warning and usually in the middle of the night, it strikes! An intense pain, most often in the big toe, that is unexpected and excruciatingly painful.
 

Symptoms of gout

• Sudden, intense pain in a joint - often the big toe but also other toes, knees, elbows or other joint

• Swelling, redness, and a feeling of heat in the joint

• Extremely tender to the touch

• Strikes unexpectedly

• May recur without notice at intervals of weeks, months or years

• Most commonly affects men over 40 and postmenopausal women, especially those who are overweight or have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Causes of gout

Gout is an ancient complaint, long associated with rich foods and excessive alcohol consumption. It is a form of arthritis that is caused by excess levels of uric acid in the blood. There is evidence for a hereditary component to the condition since children of those affected are more likely to suffer from the condition than others. Diets containing large quantities of meat and other high fat, high protein foods contribute to gout. Vegetarians rarely get this disorder.
Uric acid or monosodium urate (MSU) is a by-product of protein digestion, and the excess is filtered through the kidneys and eliminated in urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or fails to excrete it adequately, crystals of monosodium urate may form in the joints and tendons. They may also form in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones. Gout is the body's reaction to these irritating crystalline deposits of monosodium urate.

Factors that can trigger an attack of gout include:

• Injury or severe illness

• Surgical procedure

• Alcohol ingestion

• Drugs, including some diuretics

• Excessive consumption of certain foods

• Starvation or severely restricted diet
  

Natural treatment for gout

Treatment is aimed at relieving the excruciating pain, preventing recurrence and avoiding progression of the disease to the point where it affects the kidneys.

The patient is advised to keep the joint bare to avoid even the slightest pressure.
The mineral sodium phosphate has traditionally been used to reduce build-up of uric acid and relieve symptoms of gout; it is commonly accompanied by sodium sulphate
The herbs celery seed and juniper berry are traditionally used for gout. Eat plenty of cherries & other dark fruits. Bananas , strawberries, celery, broccoli, potatoes & greens also help put uric crystals in solution so they will be eliminated.
For immediate relief, apply the herbs plantain, ginger, or fresh comfrey compresses to the inflamed area.
The most important treatment for gout is diet regulation. A diet low in fats and moderate in the intake of protein is the first step. Foods high in compounds called purines contribute to the body's production of uric acid and so should be strictly avoided. These include organ meats (eg. liver, kidneys, brains, heart, lambs fry), prawns, lobster, oysters, salami, pate, sardines and anchovies.

As with other forms of arthritis, some people also find that certain other foods aggravate their condition. Common culprits include tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, oranges, nuts and wheat.  Sufferers should also avoid alcohol consumption because it increases levels of uric acid.


It is important to drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic fluids such as diluted fresh fruit juices. The uric acid needs to be passed out of the body through the urine. Drinking plenty of fluid helps to dilute the urine and also decreases the risk of kidney stones. The less water the body has to work with, the stronger the urine will have to be. When uric acid is concentrated in the urine of a body suffering from low level dehydration due to not drinking enough water, it is likely to form into the crystals that can get lodged in the joints and the kidneys.


To prevent gout developing, maintain your body weight within its healthy weight range. Obesity is associated with increased uric acid production. Avoid or cut back on the foods listed above and reduce alcohol consumption. This can have other numerous health benefits besides reducing the symptoms of gout.