Gout can be defined as the high uric acid in the body. In this situation, the body cannot excrete the uric acid properly out of the body. Uric acid, if remains in the body can cause many disturbances in the entire body systems. In many cases, kidneys are malfunctioning and therefore they cannot excrete the uric acid from blood to the urine and then gives rise to the uric acid levels in the blood.
If a person eats too much food that contains any kind of uric acid, there are chances to get levels of uric acid high in the blood. Gout is often associated with the arthritis as it gives pain in the joint and therefore, gouty arthritis is one of the types of arthritis affecting musculo-skeletal system of the body. Here uric acid crystals build up in the joint and give tremendous pain.
There are many reasons that can cause the gout. Gout could be hereditary i.e. it may run in families. You are susceptible to have this disease if your parents or forefathers had it. One can get gout if he or she overweighs. Certain other conditions such as hypertension, hypothyroidism can also cause the gouty problems in the body.
Some of the kidney disorders can also cause gout, especially when the kidney is not functioning well and is unable to filter the blood from uric acid and to excrete it out in urine. Another factor that can bring gout is recent injury to any joint especially the toe. Recent surgery and certain medications like an insulin or antibiotic may also work as triggering factors for gout. Medical science also favors that excessive alcohol consumption may also lead you to gout.
Some foods like shellfish, red meat, organ meat and dried peas are the food, if taken in excess, may cause gout. These foods are rich in purines that are the chemicals metabolized by the body into the uric acid.
One should drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins from the blood and to make kidneys work properly. For this, roughly you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
You should also maintain your body weight by eating right, and getting enough exercise. This will help preventing gouty condition. It will also bring your blood pressure down if you tend to have hypertension. You should limit your alcohol intake as well as your consumption of foods, which increase the amount of uric acid in the body. All these precautions help preventing gout.
Generally, the gout is treated with non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen that can help with the inflammation and pain, the main feature of gout. These drugs are available over the counter, but they can also be taken through prescription with proper strength if needed.
In more serious cases, doctors may prescribe corticosteroid drugs like prednisone. But, these kinds of drugs may bring some serious side effects like thinning bones and reduced healing time when you are injured and have wound.
Some of the Ayurvedic drugs like guggulu preparation have shown good effect on the gouty arthritis and gout condition. Some of scholars suggest Panchkarma as said in Ayurvedic science as an effective treatment for gout.
