Gout

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What Is Gout

Gout is a condition that can resemble Arthritis because inflammation occurs throughout the body, affecting the health of the joints and kidneys. When there’s an excess of uric acid in the body it can create kidney stones, deposits of uric acid that cause the skin to lump (tophi), or deposits in the joints. When uric acid levels are high, Gout can occur. If the condition progresses, one can experience a Gout Attack or Acute Gout, which is usually a burning sensation in the big toe, the most commonly affected body part.

Signs Of Gout

Symptoms of Gout usually occur suddenly and during the night. Gout symptoms often come without warning and in the form of a swollen big toe or lower body joint. Symptoms such as the swollen big toe are the end result of a problem that has been occurring in the body for a while. More Gout symptoms are listed below.

Intense Joint Pain (usually affecting the big toe or lower body joint; it can also occur in hands and wrists)
Warmth, Pain, or Tenderness around Joints
Inflammation and Redness (the affected joint will usually become inflamed and red)
Limited Range of Motion in the Joint
Lingering Discomfort (after initial Gout Attack)
Peeling or Itchy Skin (around the affected joint)

What Causes Gout

Gout is the result of an excess amount of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a chemical that the body produces when it breaks down purine, another chemical found in certain types of food. Some people produce too much uric acid and the kidneys cannot efficiently process it to eliminate it through urine. High uric acid levels lead to urate crystal development, and those can accumulate in joints to cause inflammation, which is considered a Gout Attack. Other causes are listed below.

Overproduction of Uric Acid
Lifestyle Factors (too much alcohol consumption, over-eating, obesity, or drinking too much soda)
Dehydration
Renal Failure
Surgery (or sudden severe illness)
Joint Injury
Taking Certain Medications (specifically for high blood pressure, leg swelling, or heart failure)
Enzyme Abnormalities (Lymphoma, Leukemia, or Psoriasis)
Genetics (a family history of Gout could lead to the development of Gout in a person)
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
Lead Exposure
Hypothyroidism

Dherbs Approach...adjusting your diet is always key!

Natural Remedies

Because Gout can be caused by poor diet choices, it's best to eliminate soda, sugar, salt, alcohol, junk foods, processed foods, meat, dairy products, and genetically engineered foods from your diet. Two sodas, caffeinated or not, per day can increase your chance of getting Gout by 85%. Stick to a plant-based or raw foods diet to get the purest nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts and seeds.
Apple cider vinegar has a natural alkalizing effect on the body. To use this natural remedy, mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8oz. of distilled water and drink once a day. This should help decrease the pain by about 90% after two days.
Make sure to stay hydrated, as dehydration is one of the causes of Gout. Drink eight 8oz. glasses of alkaline or distilled water every day to stay properly hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to drink half you body weight in ounces of water per day. If you weigh 150lbs, then you should drink 75oz of water each day.
Baking soda can help lower the amount of uric acid in the body. If you consume 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 8oz of water once or twice a day, then it should help to reduce the pain of your Gout symptoms. You may need to mix up to 3 teaspoons of baking soda in your water if your symptoms persist. When you feel the pain decreasing you can reduce the amount of baking soda you mix in with the water. Like any alternative remedy, be cautious because high amounts of baking soda can lead to high blood pressure if you have hypertension.

Things you should eat