The Acidic Foods To Avoid With Gout Diets

                

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Most people when choosing a gout friendly diet will look to cut out or reduce foods high in purine, as metabolizing purine in the body leads to increased levels of uric acid, which is the cause behind gout symptoms. However, high purine foods may not be the only foods to avoid with gout.

Some researchers have established a link between body acidity and gout. The more acidic your body is, the higher the possibility of developing gout. Conversely, having a more alkaline system encourages rapid uric acid elimination.

As the body becomes more acidic, uric acid elimination slows down dramatically. This is due to the pressure the body comes under trying to process both the uric acid and the acidic foods. The kidneys become strained and are less effective in expelling excess uric acid.

Acidity is measured using a pH value ranging between 0 - 14, with 0-6 being acidic, 7 is neutral and 8-14 is alkaline. Where gout is concerned it is less about the pH value of the food, rather what that food does to the pH level of the body during and after digestion.

The higher the pH levels of the body (an alkaline state) the easier it is for uric acid to be dissolved in the blood stream and eliminated via the kidneys. The lower the pH i.e. the more acidic the body pH the harder it is to process uric acid.

Therefore, a constantly low pH value can cause your body to decrease it's processing of uric acid, leading to hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia is a medical term for a raised uric acid level in the blood, and can lead to gout. As the levels of uric acid become higher there is nowhere for any more uric acid to go, so it is deposited in crystal form in the spaces and connective tissues between the joints.

Usually gout strikes the big toe joint or one of the other joints in the foot or ankle, although it can rear its ugly head in any joint. The reason that gout occurs most commonly in the foot or ankle is because those joints furthest away from the heart and uric acid crystallizes in lower temperatures.

Uric acid is formed during the processing and breaking down of purines in the body. This is a natural substance that is produced during cellular building and is also found in a lot of the foods we eat. Purine-rich foods include:
Red meats
Shellfish
Legumes
Offal
Mushrooms
Yeast extracts
Processed meats

To tackle raised uric levels in the blood it is wise to restrict your intake of these foods until your gout is under control and uric acid levels have stabilized.

Acidic foods that impact the pH of your body are:
Beef
Lobster
Pheasant
Ice Cream
Processed Cheese
Barley
Processed Flour
Some Nuts
Soybean
Soda
Cocoa
Yeast
Hops
Table Salt
Sugar
Fried Food

Like anything, it is not a good idea to drastically change your diet overnight. The best way for your body to process the changes is to introduce amendments slowly that your body can get used to the different foods and keep its processing running on maximum.

You should be aiming to reduce your body's pH level slowly. You can monitor these changes by purchasing a home urine or saliva testing kit. Try to balance your diet to include 70% of foods alkaline in nature and 30% acidic.

You can find out more about the natural ways to soothe gout symptoms on our web site.

By having a greater understanding of which foods to avoid with gout, you have a better chance of bringing your symptoms under control and preventing further gout flare-ups.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how a knowledge of foods to avoid with gout can be an effective natural cure for gout.

Can Acupressure Relieve Your Gout Attack?

                

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Exercise is excellent at preventing gout, but it isn?t the best treatment when it comes to easing a gout attack. However, this doesn?t mean that you need to turn to medication to ease your pain and discomfort. There are plenty of alternative and complimentary remedies out there you may want to try first. One such alternative or complimentary therapy is acupressure.

What is acupressure? Acupressure, also known as a Shiatsu massage, is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Essentially, the belief is that the body has approximately 2000 trigger points that are linked throughout the body via 20 different meridians. Qi (life energy) flows throughout the meridians between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Qi uniquely affects all of the trigger points it flows through bringing balance to both the mind and body.

When the body suffers injury or illness, qi becomes unbalanced. Thus by performing acupressure on the particular points of the body related to the affected area, these points can be used to direct the nervous system to release muscular tension and increase blood flow to the injured parts. In other words, balance is restored.

The main difference between, acupuncture and acupressure is the application. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure primarily uses fingers or thumbs to apply pressure to the trigger points to encourage circulation and self-healing in the body.

What are the benefits of acupressure for gout sufferers? Acupressure provides many gout sufferers with relief from pain, resulting from inflammation of gout-infected joints. Acupressure can also:
- Increase circulation
- Reduce tension
- Relieves stress
- Enables the body to achieve deep relaxation
- Maintain health

How to perform acupressure ? Acupressure is performed by applying gentle, but firm pressure to a specific trigger point with the finger, thumb or knuckle. Pressure is usually applied for 15 ? 30 seconds. You will know when the trigger point has been found as you will feel a sharp jolt, immediately followed by a tingling or numbing sensation. This sensitivity is normal, and usually decreases over time. When pressure is released, there is often immediate pain relief.

Although acupressure is a treatment that requires no equipment, oils, etc. to work, it is important that you know how to properly perform acupressure before applying it to yourself or others. There are plenty of online resources and self-help guides that can educate and teach you how to perform acupressure, but it is recommended that you seek treatment and instruction from a qualified and experienced acupressure therapist before engaging in acupressure on your own.

For instance, even though a diagram can show you every acupressure trigger point on the body, not all points can help you achieve relief from gout pain and discomfort. Every illness has its own specific trigger points that need to be targeted based on the ailment and the area of the body where one is experiencing symptoms.

For example, if you were to visit http://magnecare.co.uk, you would find a diagram of acupressure points and discover that the recommended trigger points to relieve gout pain are -
41 ?Located just above the inside ankle
63 ?Located on the lower back near the spine
65 ? Located in the middle of the buttock
66 ? Located on the backside of your hip
67 ? Located directly behind your knee
68 - Located in the middle of your calf

However, depending on where you are experiencing gout pain, not all of these trigger points need to be addressed.

To find a local qualified acupressure therapist, ask your doctor, a physiotherapist, the local hospital, or check the yellow pages. You can also search online by using your city name and ?acupressure therapist? as the keyword search.

Remember, if you want effective pain relief from a gout attack, acupressure must be performed properly.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover the cause of gout treatments. You'll find out about both traditional and gout home treatment.

 

Gout vs Pseudogout

                

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Sometimes, even if a person lives a healthy lifestyle, abstains from alcohol or drinks it modestly, they can experience a condition that mirrors gout, but is in actuality, a different arthritic condition altogether known as pseudogout. To help you understand the differences between these two, the following is a breakdown of the causes, symptoms and treatments for each condition.

Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs suddenly, usually affecting the big toe, and causes severe painful attacks, tenderness and redness in the affected joint. An attack can last days or weeks. Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid which turns into uric acid crystals that are deposited into the joints causing them to become inflamed. The first attack of gout often occurs late at night.

A build up of uric acid that develops into gout can result from:
?High alcohol consumption
?Eating excessive food rich in purines such as organ meats
?Crash diets
?Joint injury
?Surgery
?Chemotherapy

The symptoms of gout include:
?Sudden intense joint pain
?Inflammation and redness in the affected joint.
?Swelling
?Difficulty moving affected joint within its normal capacity.

Treatment for gout includes:
?NSAIDs - The most common treatment for gout includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, indomethacin and naproxen. They are used to help alleviate paint and reduce inflammation
?Colchicine ? prescription med that prevents gout attacks from recurring
?Diet ? By controlling what you eat, staying well hydrated and exercising regularly, you can help reduce your uric acid levels and prevent gout.
?Surgery ? This is very rare treatment and is only required if there is significant joint damage from frequent attacks.

Pseudogout
Pseudogout is a form of arthritis that occurs when calcium pyrophosphate crystals accumulate in joints. Although it is sometimes referred to as calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPDD), the disease is called pseudogout due to the fact that its symptoms and crystal build up are similar to gout.

Like gout, pseudogout causes a sudden extreme attack of pain and swelling to specific joints, which can last for days or weeks. However, unlike gout that usually attacks the big toe first, pseudogout is usually present in the knees, but can also affect the shoulder, elbows, wrists, hands, or ankles. Furthermore, pseudogout can become a chronic arthritic condition that feels more like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

It is clear that the development of calcium pyrophosphate crystals is what causes Pseudogout. Eventually, crystals can be deposited into the cartilage of a joint and then begin to damage it, a condition known as chondrocalcinosis. Although medical researchers are not sure why the calcium pyrophosphate crystals occur, it is suspected that the condition may be hereditary or related to:
?Hypothryroidism (underactive thyroid)
?Hemochromatosis (too much iron storage)
?Overactive parathyroid gland
?Low levels of magnesium in the blood
?Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood)
?Joint injury
?Surgery (either related to a joint or not)

Unlike gout, pseudogout is not necessarily gender specific or diet related, and usually affects 3% of people in their sixties and approximately 50% of those in their nineties.

The symptoms of pseudogout include:
?Swelling of the affected joint
?Severe pain
?Warmth
?Redness

Treatment for pseudogout includes:
?NSAIDs
?Cortisone injections
?Ice therapy, mild exercise and rest
?Surgery ? only occurs if severe damage has been done to the joints.

As you can see, both gout and pseudogout are incredibly painful conditions that result from the build up of crystal deposits in the joints causing inflammation. Essentially, the main difference between the two is the type of crystals.

For more information about Gout diets take a look at Cure Gout Now.

Natural and Not So Natural Gout Remedy Tactics

                

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Gout can be very painful so it's no wonder that anyone suffering from it would seek an immediate gout remedy. Here are some main stream medical as well as natural remedies.

Conventional/Traditional Treatments

The main concern about gout is the symptoms of pain and swelling, which can range from mild to extreme. To correct this, doctors may prescribe gout medications such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, both of which act to bring down the swelling and reduce pain.

NSAIDs, usually Indocid, can also decrease joint stiffness and promote mobility. Usually taken orally, NSAIDs are administered in low doses to treat pain and in higher doses to relieve inflammation. Drugs like Naprosyn, Tolectin, Voltaren and Orudis are only available through prescription and individual reaction to each one may vary.

Patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs or who do not respond well to treatment may be prescribed another anti-inflammatory drug called corticosteroid, which is just as powerful and effective. It also acts to reduce swelling and can effect immediate relief when injected. Also injectable, ACTHs or adrenocorticotropic hormone may also be used for acute gout attacks.

Another option to treat gout symptoms is colchicines, a drug that's been around for hundreds of years. It is quite effective but is not used as often as NSAIDs because it causes vomiting and diarrhea within a short period after it is given.

Side Effects

Drugs do have their side effects. Allopurinol, for example, can cause skin rashes, blood vessel inflammation or liver toxicity. It can also weaken the kidneys. Colchicine is also an effective drug, but on its bad side, it can cause nausea, weakness, vomiting, hair loss, numbness and abdominal pain.

Corticosteroids, while providing immediate relief through an injection, can also cause similar side effects and are therefore not recommended for prolonged use. Corticosteroids can also cause joint and cartilage weakness.

Home Gout Remedies

Some gout patients find that the symptoms of gout may be reduced by performing simple tasks at home or in the office. These include elevating the affected joint, preventing blood from rushing into the area and cause further swelling. Resting the affected joint or immobilizing it can also bring about a certain level of relief.

Another remedy that has proven successful in alleviating pain is through physical and occupational therapy. Most gout patients suffer needlessly from pain because of improper use of the joints. Both therapies can train their muscles on the proper way of walking and standing. Massages can also help promote relaxation and a feeling of well being.

Relaxation techniques have also shown much promise in reducing pain and helping the muscles relax. Most gout patients also report less incidents of swelling pain after they reduced emotional and physical stress.

Contrary to some, hot compresses do not aid in reducing the symptoms of gout; it can produce temporary relief, but heat increases blood circulation in the affected area and can irritate it. Applying ice packs may also cause more uric acid crystals to form.

There are devices that may be used to make day-to-day tasks easier and much more comfortable: canes, carts, grab bars and such may be utilized to aid in the performance of duties and to conserve precious energy. Knowing that things can be handled can also do a lot for one's peace of mind.

Another remedy to avoid further problems with gout is a lifestyle change. This is more permanent and while there are no guarantees, it can produce some very significant improvements in a patient's condition. By losing weight and having a proper diet, gout patients are able to control the occurrence of gout by simply avoiding foods that promote it, including animal protein sources such as red meats, meat organs, seafoods, shellfish and alcoholic drinks.

The only drawback to avoiding these foods is that most patients will miss out on the essential vitamins and minerals that they contain. To correct this, alternative sources of protein may be used such as tofu and low-fat dairy products. Dietary supplements may also be required not just to maintain the recommended levels of both vitamins and minerals in the body but also to promote the regulation of uric acid levels.

To promote the proper excretion of uric acid in the blood, gout patients are advised to increase their daily fluid intake or maintain it at 8 to 9 glasses. Water helps produce urine, which flushes out toxins and keep uric acid levels to a manageable level.

Alternative Remedies

Another form of remedy for gout is the use of Oriental-style treatments, including acupuncture, acupressure and herbal remedies. While some conventional medical practitioners frown on these practices, some gout patients have achieved some relief using these treatments or in combination with the more traditional remedies. If considering any of these treatments, it would be prudent to get more information, ask your doctor's advice and talk only to a licensed practitioner.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://gout.topicgiant.com where you can learn about more gout remedy tactics.

Keep Away From the Foods That Cause Gout

                

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Gout is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation, pain, sourness and swelling of the joints, also reducing their mobility. It mostly it affects the joints of the lower body limbs, such as toes, heels, ankles and knees, but it can also affect the joints of the upper body. Gout sometimes affects skin and soft tissue like muscles and tendons, causing swelling and rigidity. There are many factors that contribute to the occurrence and the development of gout, such as genetic predisposition to the disease, renal insufficiency, inappropriate diet and lack of proper exercise. Among all these triggers of gout, the quantity and the type of food consumed seem to play a very important role.

In the past, gout was referred to as ?the disease of kings?, as it mostly affected rich people. The high incidence of gout among the rich, noble families in the past is explained by the fact that they had better access to expensive, exotic foods that in present are known to facilitate the development of the disease. Today, many people are still confronted with gout as a result of improper diet, unaware of the damage that some foods cause to the organism. Apart from foods that cause gout, another important factor in the development of the disease is obesity.

Gout is mainly caused by the crystallization of a substance called uric acid in the bloodstream, causing arteries to block. In normal quantities, uric acid is neutral to the organism. However, when in excess, it may cause a lot of damage. Uric acid is a residual product formed in the synthesis of purine. Purine is a substance that resides in fat meats, fish, some dairy products and vegetables. Foods that cause gout are rich in saturated fats and purines, therefore contributing to the excessive secretion of uric acid. Among the foods that cause gout, the most dangerous are considered to be red meats and some fish. Beef, pork, lamb and seafood should be avoided when suffering from gout. Furthermore, healthy people should control their intake of such foods in order to prevent the acquiring of gout. Other foods like chicken meat, low dairy, grains, green vegetables and fruits are well tolerated among people who suffer from gout.

In order to ameliorate the symptoms of gout, foods that cause gout should be excluded from the diet in favor of healthy food. Also, the consumption of alcohol should be reduced, as it increases the amount of uric acid produced by the organism. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of gout too, slowing the natural process of healing and interfering in the right circulation of the blood.

By drinking plenty of water you will help the body in eliminating the excess of uric acid. It is strongly recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Also, try to reduce the amount of saturated fats from your diet and eat more carbohydrate rich foods such as cereal, pasta and bread. Consume plenty of fruits, as they contain lots of important vitamins and minerals. Fruits like apples, oranges, nectarines and lemons should be a part of your daily menu.
More information about gout you can find in the content of these pages, also there is valuable information about food that causes gout.