Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It affects the joints and soft tissues, usually the basic joint of the big toe first, but it happens to target the heel, knee and ankle, shoulder and elbow, hands and even the hip, neck and spine
Gout has been known since ancient times as a disease of abundance affecting those who indulge in daily wine and meat. The way of life plays a certain role in it. Being overweight, sedentary and consuming more than 50 kilos of meat per person per year all contribute to making gout a rheumatic disease that is still widespread in the USA today, more than 8.3 million Americans gout sufferer.
80% of people suffering from gout are male. Around 3% of men reaching retirement age are affected. Gout is the most common inflammatory joint disease in men over the age of 40. The first attack of gout occurs on average in the middle of a man’s life (between 40 and 50years of age).
Women, on the other hand, are protected by female sex hormones until menopause. In women, the first attack of gout occurs on average between the ages of 55 and 60.
Gout causes
Typical triggers for a nighttime gout attack are heavy consumption of alcohol the night before and a large meal of meat, fish, and seafood. It’s gout that makes the vase overflow — but the vase was already full a long time ago: gout can progress over a long period of time. It is caused by an excessive concentration of uric acid in the blood: hyperuricemia.
Heredity
The role of heredity in the disease was identified as early as the Middle Ages. Most people with gout have a congenital predisposition to a reduced ability of the kidneys to eliminate uric acid, which inevitably leads to an increase in uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).
Diet
Lifestyle also contributes to increased uric acid levels. Many people suffering from gout have a diet rich in meat, which leads to a high intake of purines and hinders the elimination of uric acid by the kidneys through excessive alcohol consumption.
Increased uric acid levels (hyperuricemia)
Purines play a central role in increasing uric acid levels (hyperuricemia). Purines are components of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material enclosed in cell nuclei. Purines are partly supplied by food and partly synthesized by the body.
They are converted into uric acid through metabolism. If their concentration in the blood exceeds a certain level, the uric acid begins to crystallize and settle in the joints, the bursae and the connective tissue near the joints. Sharp-edged uric acid crystals irritate tissue, cause inflammation and severe pain.
The metabolic syndrome
Primary gout is caused by increased uric acid levels due to hereditary factors and diet. It is called secondary gout when it follows other illnesses.
75% of patients with gout have a metabolic syndrome, which is the “fatal quartet” of obesity, hypertension, abnormal blood lipid levels and disorders of sugar metabolism. The metabolic syndrome is explained by various genetic mutations but is very closely linked to lifestyle. A poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risks. Patients can combat these risks by losing weight, adopting a healthy diet and improving their physical fitness.
Kidney damage
Kidney damage caused by certain drugs such as laxatives or toxic substances such as lead can also cause gout. The ability of the kidneys to eliminate uric acid is reduced. The old warning that wine causes gout may be linked to lead, which was commonly used to sweeten wine until the second half of the 18th century.
Gout Symptoms
Gout is caused by a high level of uric acid in the blood: hyperuricemia. A high uric acid level is defined as more than 6 mg of uric acid per deciliter of blood. Above this value, uric acid can be deposited in crystalline form in the joints and soft tissues. This occurs in about 30% of men. Above 9 mg/dl a gout attack is inevitable.
Gout attack
A gout attack is an inflammation of a terribly painful joint that often strikes during sleep. It is most often the basic joint of the big toe that is affected. The joint and the skin around it are swollen, very red and extremely sensitive to pressure and touch. The inflammation can extend to the tendon sheaths and bursae.
The most common factors that cause a gout attack are related to diet: a large meat-based dinner, excessive alcohol consumption, a restrictive diet or fasting.
In hospitalized patients, a gout attack can occur following the administration of diuretics. Diuretics may be necessary to lower blood pressure or improve circulation. They increase urinary secretion without increasing uric acid elimination.
When the disease becomes chronic
In the case of high uric acid levels, the pain associated with the disease occurs in flare-ups at increasingly shorter intervals. Without treatment, the disease becomes chronic and affects several joints at the same time. Gouty tophus, which are unsightly nodules, can also develop. These are benign deposits of uric acid crystals in a rounded shape that form in the coldest parts of the body, such as the earlobes, elbows, feet, and fingers.
In the case of chronic gout, uric acid deposits can be found in the kidneys. The resulting kidney stones can irritate the pelvis and cause colic.
In addition, chronic gout can develop into osteoarthritis (known as secondary osteoarthritis).
Gout Diagnosis
The preliminary stage of gout can be easily established. A blood test can measure an increase in uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).
The doctor diagnoses a gout attack after a medical examination and from the patient’s history. The symptoms of gout are clear: swelling, redness, severe pain and severely limited joint function.
Gout can be confused with pseudogout (chondrocalcinosis). In order to differentiate between the two diseases (differential diagnosis), the affected joint can be punctured and the synovial fluid can be analyzed in the laboratory. Gout is manifested by uric acid crystals, pseudogout by calcium pyrophosphate crystals. The two types of crystals can be clearly distinguished under the microscope.
With chronic gout, the damage to the affected joints is visible on X-rays.
Gout Treatment
Anti-inflammatory drugs for gout attacks
The most effective method of stopping the violent pain caused by a gout attack is to act on the inflammation of the affected joint and ideally to remove the direct cause, uric acid crystals joint deposit. There is a new gout pain relief expert lotion provided by Dr. Elix™️ as well as anti-inflammatory drugs that are either ingested or injected directly into the joint (intra-articular injection or infiltration).
How to Treat Gout? a concise overview plus a natural authentic signature!
Dr. Elix Gout Pain Relief
Dr. Elix Gout Pain Relief ensures immediate gout pain relief (in 7–15 minutes), Removes the affected joint uric acid crystals deposit, Promotes the affected joint tendons and muscles fast healing.
Dr. Elix gout pain medication is 100% natural, made from a special knowledgable blend of pure premium essential oils, carrier oils, and plant extracts, applied by local massage, a simple way to avoid any drug interactions as well as by removing the uric acid crystals deposit from your affected joints you will gain between 3 to 8 months free time from gout attacks time and opportunity to deal with an appropriate gout prevention measures, by internal treatments (if needed) and making the requested lifestyle and diet changement.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) based on diclofenac work well. They have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
Cortisone
Cortisone medications are suitable for short-term treatment. Cortisone can be injected directly into the joint in the event of a gout attack.
Colchicine
Colchicine was the classic treatment for gout. It is a natural medicine with toxic effects made from Colchicum autumnale (Colchicum autumnale). Colchicine limits the proliferation of inflammatory cells, thus shortening the attack of gout. However, treatment with colchicine requires a great deal of experience. The drug has Significant Side Effects, even when used correctly.
Topical Gout Pain Medication
At the worst moment of a gout attack (when the patient cannot tolerate the slightest touch of the inflammed area) topical treatments usually are of little help. However, Dr. Elix gout pain relief can be an adequate solution for acute gout attacks and in chronic gout. It is designed to absorb quickly and profoundly and to work with power and fastly. The goal is to stop a gout attack ASAP.
Long-term drug therapy for gout
Two groups of drugs are available for long-term treatment. They reduce excessive uric acid levels to the lower limit of the norm.
Uricostatics
Allopurinol or febuxostat drugs are involved in the metabolism of purines. They inhibit the breakdown of purine to uric acid and thus reduce uric acid levels. Uricostats are generally well-tolerated but may induce side effects.
Uricosurics
Medicines containing the active ingredients benzbromarone, probenecid or lesinurad also lower uric acid levels. They increase the kidneys’ ability to evacuate uric acid in the urine. Losartan, an anti-hypertensive, also has the same effects. The disadvantage of uricosurics is that they strain the kidneys. That is why it is important to drink plenty of water to promote elimination. Some uricosuric drugs should not be prescribed for kidney damage and kidney stones.
Drug-reduced uric acid is a long-term treatment. If it is discontinued, gout symptoms may reappear. In consultation with the doctor, it may be attempted to discontinue the drug in question carefully after five years.
We always recommend Gout Home Remedies and Dr. Elix Gout Pain Relief. Soliciting more your kidneys will make things worse on the long term.
Alternative medicine and grandmother’s remedies
Traditional herbal medicine can also help in the treatment of gout. At present, herbal infusions with a diuretic, purifying and anti-inflammatory effects are recommended, such as horsetail, angelica, nettle, goldenrod, chamomile, yarrow, and licorice.
Cataplasms and wraps
Cataplasms and wraps can complement a treatment against gout — cold in the case of a gout attack, warm in the case of chronic gout.
However, the effect of cold poultices is double-edged: while cold reduces inflammation and pain, it also promotes the crystallization of uric acid.
Conversely, warm poultices for chronic gout help to remove crystallized uric acid deposits from the joint. But heat can also increase inflammation.
Patients, therefore, have no choice but to experiment with hot and cold wraps. They will quickly see which ones give the best results.
Dr. Elix Gout pain medication is the best alternative to find naturally and in an appropriate way your comfort.
Heat
Feet are usually a little colder than the rest of the body, especially in the case of limited physical activity. This explains why many attacks of gout affect the basic joint of the big toe. To prevent a gout attack, wear thick socks and warm shoes in winter, and regularly take a foot bath at a maximum temperature of 37°C to stimulate circulation.
Acid-base balance
Another grandmother’s remedy: consume natron (sodium hydrogen carbonate or baking soda) regularly. Natron changes the acidity of the urine from the normal acidic zone (pH between 5 and 6) to the basic zone (pH > 7). Due to the reduction in acidity, the urine absorbs and eliminates more uric acid. The acidity of the urine can be checked with test strips available in pharmacies.
Gout Prevention
Predisposition to gout is congenital. Too much uric acid can be hereditary. Do you have parents who you know have high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia)? Do any of your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles have gout? If so, you need to take preventative measures: talk to your doctor and ask to have your uric acid levels measured.
If the blood test shows particularly high uric acid levels, we advise you to reduce your personal risk of contracting the disease by changing your eating habits. The dietary rules are the same as those recommended after a (first) attack of gout.
Dietary rules to prevent new gout attacks
The following advice is intended to prevent the occurrence of new attacks after an attack of gout, to prevent the chronicity of the disease and to support the medical treatment of gout. The dietary rules set out below are based on the findings of the latest observational studies involving several thousand patients. As a result of these studies, the usually recommended diet for gout has been redesigned. Today, gout is not considered to be the only diet-related health problem for many patients. In addition, foods that are difficult to remove from the diet are no longer strictly forbidden.
Less meat, fish, and offal
Large portions of meat provide the body with considerable amounts of purines, which increase the level of uric acid. Reduce your consumption of meat, cold cuts, meat broth, aspic, fish and seafood. People with gout should not eat offal or liver, whether pork, beef or veal. In general, they should eat small portions of meat (100 g) and give preference to meats that are low in purines.
More dairy products
Consumption of dairy products reduces the level of uric acid. Cow, sheep and goat’s milk, which is produced by glandular secretion, does not contain cell nuclei that could contain purines. Butter, cream, kefir, plain yogurt, and cottage cheese are also free of purines. On the other hand, purines are present in varying amounts in cheeses. Dairy substitutes based on almonds, oats, rice or soya contain purines in varying amounts. Tofu is low in purines.
More vegetables
People with gout should supplement their meals with generous portions of vegetables and salad. Vegetable foods are rich in healthy nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Recent studies have shown that plant foods that have traditionally been excluded from the diet of patients with gout, such as legumes (peas, beans, lentils), mushrooms, spinach, and cabbage, are beneficial to patients with gout. The nutritional qualities of plant-based foods prevailed.
Beware of sugar!
Eating fruit sugar (fructose) increases uric acid levels. People with gout should not drink soft drinks or lemonades, which are sweetened with fructose or sucrose. The same applies to fruit juices such as apple juice, orange juice, fruit smoothies, and multivitamin juices. Fruit also contains fructose, but also valuable nutrients. So it’s important to find the right balance. Two servings of fruit (300 g) a day are more than enough. Red fruits are particularly recommended. Avoid dried fruit, especially “sugar bombs” such as raisins and figs.
No beer, little wine
Excessive alcohol consumption increases the production of uric acid and slows down its elimination. Patients with gout and those predisposed to gout are advised to eliminate beer and spirits from their diet and limit their consumption of wine. Two glasses of beer a day increase the risk of gout by 200% because of the purine in the yeast used to activate the fermentation process (including in alcohol-free beers).
Wine consumption is less harmful. Daily consumption of two glasses of wine for men and one glass of wine for women does not significantly increase the risk of gout.
Drinking water
Drink two to three liters of water or herbal tea every day. All cells in the body need enough fluid to function properly, especially the kidney cells, which need it to filter uric acid from the blood and eliminate it in the urine. Elimination is stimulated by diuretic herbal infusions. Coffee lovers will be pleased to know that their favorite drink has a positive effect on gout. According to international studies, coffee (normal and decaffeinated), unlike tea, lowers uric acid levels.
Losing weight
Patients with gout who are overweight should begin to reduce their weight gradually. However, those who are predisposed should not impose too restrictive a diet. Fasting and drastic diets destroy many muscle cells within a few days, releasing huge amounts of cell nuclei and thus purines. The metabolism does not distinguish between purines provided by food and purines resulting from the destruction of cells. An excess of purines increases the level of uric acid and can trigger a gout attack.
Source: By Dr. Elix
