Gout is the hereditary disorder in which uric acid crystals are deposited in joints.
Males are affected more than females.
Normal level in man -3.5 to 7.0 mg/dl
Normal level in women- 2.5 to 5.7 mg/dl
Gout may be primary where no cause is found, and is more common in men over 40 years of age.
Secondary gout - it occurs secondary to some other disease like renal impairment or drug therapy. It is more common in age of 65 and in females.
In primary gout, the main source of uric acid concentration is from foods. The balance between the synthesis and its elimination via the kidneys determines the amount of the uric acid in blood.
Gout may be acute and chronic.
Alcohol intake, fat rich diet, certain drugs, exposure to cold, trauma, surgery, and heredity is the predisposing factors.
Clinical features are-
1-Sudden unexpected attack of pain usually at night is the warning symptom. The site of involvement is the big toes. The pain is so unbearable that even the touch of the bed sheet is intolerable. There is tenderness on the part involved.
The part becomes swelled and with redness. Pain subsides by about 5-14 days.
Later other joints get involved. Progressive attacks become severe and at short intervals.
2-Mild fever at times
3-Malaise
After an acute attack, there may be no second attack. But in certain people symptoms may appear after a year.
Deposition of urate crystals in finger joints, hands, forearm, and wrist and ear cartilage results with the formation of nodules called tophi.
Uric acid crystals may get deposited in kidney causing renal colic.
Diet for gout patients
Low-fat milk and dairy products.
Choose foods that are rich in fibers like oats, spinach, broccoli, etc.;
Use olive oil as cooking medium.
Citrus foods like orange, lemon will reduce the level of uric acid in blood; in addition, Vitamin C plays the same role. Daily intakes of 500mg of vitamin C markedly reduce the level of uric acid.
Avoid bakery items, and sugary items. Cookies cakes and pastries will increase the gout symptoms.
Fruits like blueberries, cherries are highly recommended as they markedly neutralized the uric acid in blood.
Avoid high-protein diet in food.
Drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day. It will eliminate the uric acid through urine.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid red meats and shell fishes.
Treatment
General measures
Follow above-mentioned diet regulation and drink 2-3 liters of water.
Homeopathic treatment-
Homeopathy offers a permanent solution for gout. The homeopathic treatment aims the control of the acute phase and complete eradication of the disease.
At first depending on the site involved and nature and severity of the pain a simillimum is selected. And when the symptoms are relieved after medication, constitutional medicines are selected, which will cure completely the relapsing tendency of gout.
If the gout occurs secondary to some other disease, the aim of homeopathic treatment is to control or cure the triggering disease also. The selection of homeopathic medicine is by considering the mental and physical aspect of the patient. And it takes a period of time for the complete cure.
