Friday, December 9, 2016

Gout Relief and Remedy

Anyone that suffers from gout understands the often debilitating pain associated with this disorder. As a result, most people afflicted with this illness look for different ways to reduce the episodes of painful flare-ups. Developing a regimen that helps to reduce these painful symptoms is usually the goal for those who suffer from gout. Relief is often possible through diet and medication.

What is gout?

Gout is a buildup of waste within the body called uric acid. Uric acid forms painful needlelike crystals within the joints and soft tissues of the body causing painful inflammation. This inflammation, in turn, leads to inflammatory arthritis. The symptoms include painful swelling, heat in the affected areas, redness, and stiffness in the joints. Symptoms usually start in the joints of the big toe and can spread to other joints in the body. Uric acid can also collect within the kidneys creating kidney stones.

What causes gout?

Gout is often a genetic disorder meaning many family members can be affected by it. Other contributing factors include weight, age, gender, over-consumption of alcohol, diet, and lead exposure. Even existing health conditions can contribute to the disorder. Just as certain medications and vitamins can lead to gout.

Prevention

Just as a surgeon with a broken scalpel may need harmonic scalpel repair, a person with gout may need to fix certain aspects of their diet. Avoiding a diet rich in foods that contain purines are the first step. Purines are a natural substance found in certain foods. Once these foods are digested uric acid forms. Maintaining a healthy weight as well as drinking plenty of water are also helpful dietary changes because water reduces the build up of uric acid in the body.

Pain Management

Painful flare-ups can be managed if medication is taken at the onset of pain. Common medications used to control flare-ups are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). These drugs reduce the symptoms and pain associated with a flare-up but do nothing to diminish the underlying condition. Corticosteroids are often used for treatment as well. They can be taken orally or injected into the joints. These drugs provide relief by reducing inflammation which helps alleviate the pain.

Those who suffer from gout can get relief and even diminish the number of painful episodes they experience by avoiding certain foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medications that reduce inflammation. Paying attention to your diet and taking medication at the start of a flare-up can often help reduce the amount of discomfort and pain associated with this disorder.

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