Discover Gout Pain Relief Methods

                

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Sick and tired of the side effects of prescription medication for gout? Here is a natural gout pain relief option that is available to anyone.

A study carried out by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), an arm of the United States Department Of Agriculture has made an amazing discovery.

They found that there are some natural compounds in cherries that reduce inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

As Gout is a form of arthritis bought about by an excess of uric acid, this study points to a natural way to relieve the debilitating pain of gout symptoms.

The study even goes on to suggest that eating cherries can also reduce the severity of other inflammation causing diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

ARS is one of the first institutions to scientifically research the effects of cherries in a controlled environment, in this study Bing cherries were used. And this study was interesting as it did not try and analyze extracts from the fruit in a test tube. ARS actually used test subjects - Real people who ate the cherries - and checked the levels of important inflammatory disease or markers in blood samples.

Each person, as part of the test, was fed an exact serving of fresh cherries for breakfast. No other fruits, teas, vegetables, or red wine was allowed prior to and during the study as these foods are also high in anti oxidants, and may have interfered with the results of the study.

To measure the effects of the cherries, they took measurements of the amount of plasma urate, which is basically the level of uric acid in the blood. They also measured the amount of uric acid passed through the kidneys in the test subjects urine.

The results of the test where astonishing. The test subjects? urate levels decreased significantly after the meal of cherries, and levels of uric acid in the urine increased over the first 5 hours after the "bowl of cherries" was eaten.

So, this shows that eating cherries may have a significant effect in the battle against gout symptoms.

Further studies are being conducted into the effects of cherries on other diseases, but the results are promising.

This is great news for anyone suffering from gout and who wants to choose a natural solution to relieve the symptoms of their condition. It reduces the possibility of side effects (unless you are allergic to cherries) and means that not only is the "treatment" good for relieving gout symptoms, but also great for boosting the levels of anti oxidants.

So, now you can get the benefit of gout pain relief and an improved immune system, all packed away in fresh and tasty ripe cherries.

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Can Low Carb Diets Cause Gout?

                

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Even though it?s unclear on how someone can decrease their risk of pseudogout, as far as gout is concerned, the best way to reduce the risk is to control your diet and your weight. If you are overweight, it is imperative that you know there is a ideal method to utilise when it comes to shedding pounds for gout prevention.

There is no question that obesity is a major risk factor for gout. Studies on overweight men have shown that the more weight they gain, the higher their risk of developing the condition.

How does obesity contribute to gout risk? Think about it, people who are obese, or considerably overweight, usually lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a diet rich in fatty foods, alcohol and caffeinated beverages that are dehydrating.

Studies have concluded that men, who are overweight, are two times as likely to develop gout, while obese men are three times as likely. It was also discovered that when the overweight men lost only 10 pounds, they decreased their risk of gout by 40 percent!

Now that you know the role weight plays in gout risk, it?s time to take a look at the right way of losing weight to prevent gout, and the wrong way.

The ideal weight loss method
First of all, when it comes to losing weight, it?s not about ?going on a diet?, it?s about making a lifestyle change by transforming what you eat and the amount you ingest. For instance, a healthy diet for the average individual should consist of the following:

? Fresh fruits and vegetables
? Nuts
? Whole grain products (brown rice whole grain cereal/breads/pasta)
? Low fat dairy products
? Fish
? White meat (chicken and turkey with no skin)
? Lots of water

When the above foods are consumed on a regular basis, they lower your intake of cholesterol, saturated fats, trans-fats and high sugared foods such as fried foods, chips, cookies, cake, white rice/pasta/bread, red meat and organ meat. Furthermore, healthy foods provide your body with fish oils, and calories from mono unsaturated fats and poly unsaturated fats. As a special bonus, healthy foods also help to suppress your appetite.

Avoid the low carb weight loss method

One of the most popular diets to be introduced to society over the past few years, as a method to lose weight fast, is the famous low carb diet. Low carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, are about dramatically reducing the daily intake of carbohydrates and replacing them with protein. Although the low carb diet certainly does achieve excellent weight loss results in a short period of time, whether or not it is a healthy choice for your body, is questionable.

Some low carb diets contain high amounts of animal protein, cholesterol and saturated fats, but lack fiber, nutrients and complex carbohydrates that are necessary for the body to maintain ideal health. This has lead many medical researchers to believe that low carb diets actually increase certain health risks such as gout.

Why? Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the body, which can occur from eating too many foods rich in purines - foods that essentially make up a low carb diet. In addition, it is believed that by eating less than 130 grams of carbs per day can cause a build up of ketones in the blood, which can also result in higher levels of uric acid.

Thus, adopting a healthy diet, in combination with regular exercise (IE, daily 20-minute brisk walk), is a great way to lose weight. Sure the results may not be as fast as a low carb diet, but at least you will stay healthy and prevent gout while you?re at it.

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

Gout Medication Treatments And Their Side Effects

                

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One of the most effective ways of reducing the symptoms of a gout attack is through medication. Medications are necessary not just to relieve the pain of acute attacks but also to prevent attacks from recurring. Some gout medications can also target high levels of uric acid in the blood, a condition referred to as hyperuricemia.

To successfully treat gout, it is better to consult a doctor than try to alleviate symptoms through self-medication. Tests will be performed to determine the level of uric acid in the body which might include a urine test or taking a sample of fluid from the affected joint. Once the presence of gout is determined, only then will the course of therapy or medications should be discussed.

Some of the most common medications used to treat gout are:

NSAIDs and corticosteroids

Probably the most common medications used to treat gout are NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are taken orally. As their name implies, NSAIDs function to reduce the swelling in the affected joints and reduce pain.

NSAIDs also block the production of a substance called prostaglandin, which is responsible for causing inflammation and the feeling of pain. Initially, NSAIDs are taken in high doses for as long as symptoms last and medication may continue for about three more days after symptoms have subsided.

It is worth noting, however that while NSAIDs are effective in reducing the inflammation in the joints caused by uric acid crystals, they do not decrease the amount of uric acid found in the body. An NSAID will not, by itself, eliminate uric acid.

Corticosteroids may be prescribed if a patient does not respond to an NSAID or if it is not well tolerated. Corticosteroids are also anti-inflammatory medications and can produce immediate relief if injected directly into the joint. The only drawback is that it cannot be used on a regular basis (i.e., for every attack) because it can cause the weakening of cartilage and promote the deterioration of the joints.

In some cases where symptoms cannot be alleviated or controlled by NSAIDs or corticosteroids, a drug called colchicines may be prescribed during the first 12 hours of a gout attack and is usually taken every hour. It does have side effects, though, such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and vomiting.

Gout medications such as probenecid and allopurinol may be prescribed to regulate the levels of uric acid in the blood and are often prescribed to older patients. These medications prevent the development of tophi which are chalk-colored lumps found under the skin, usually around joints.

Another medication that has a long history with gout is colchicine. It has been around since the 1800s and can significantly reduce swelling and relieve pain as well as stop future attacks. It has enjoyed a certain staying power because of its effectiveness. However, its use can cause certain side effects such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea even when used during a short period.

Other than probenecids, colchicines and allopurinol, sulfinpyrazone may also be prescribed for the treatment of tophi and the prevention of further attacks.

Watching the side effects

Gout medications do have their side effects and can range from mild nausea or dizziness to abdominal cramps and headaches. If you do suffer from these, there is no need to grin and bear it just to get relief later. You can talk to your doctor about it and ask for alternatives. By no means should you stop taking your medications without talking to your doctor first.

Supplements and quack medications

Gout sufferers are often advised to take dietary supplements such as Vitamins E, B-complex and folic acid to replenish the body's supply. There are also some very attractive and tempting ads making the rounds in the internet and the papers, promising a 'total cure' or a 'miraculous treatment' for gout.

Before giving in to these ads, it is better to consult with your doctor first. Some of these medications and supplements may not contain harmful ingredients, but they may mix with your current medication and affect your body adversely.

Further research

No cure has yet been discovered for gout, but scientists continue to conduct research on the subject, specifically on the effectiveness of other medications with newer compounds that are safe to use. Studies on the structure of the enzymes involved in breaking down purines inside the body are also being done, to promote further understanding of how these enzymes affect or promote the occurrence of gout.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://gout.topicgiant.com where you can learn more about gout treatment and symptoms

Do You Have Gout?

                

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Gout is a disease that has been around since ancient times. It is one of the few diseases that has been reported with consistency (and that has had a name) throughout history. It was often considered an affliction of the wealthy, due to rich diets and the privilege of not having to work terribly hard. Even today, obesity is considered one of the risk factors associated with developing gout. Moderate to heavy alcohol use can also be a risk factor for developing gout, a condition that is considered a form of arthritis and usually attacks the big toe and spreads to the rest of the foot. One of the most famous historical figures to suffer from gout is Benjamin Franklin.

In the United States, approximately one million people suffer from gout attacks. If you are a man, you are more likely to experience gout. Gout occurs much more commonly (nine gout cases out of ten) in men than in women. For most men, the common age is right around 75, although it can attack any man who has reached puberty (teens who experience rapid weight gain are vulnerable). In women, gout occurs mostly after the onset of menopause.

Gout is linked to high instances of uric acid in the blood. Risk factors, in addition to obesity and alcohol use, include high blood pressure and abnormal kidney function. There are also some drugs that can elevate the level of uric acid in your blood, leading to gout. It is important to talk to your doctor about your health, and your family history, and what can be done to combat the chance of gout when you are taking low-dose aspirin, tuberculosis medications, thiazide diuretics, and niacin supplements. Some symptoms of gout include a sudden onset of pain in one's joints. While it will most often be the joint in the big toe, gout can also affect the wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, and elbow. Warmth, reddish discoloration, swelling, and tenderness are all symptoms of a gout attack. With especially acute gout attacks, one might develop a fever. Like other forms of arthritis, the pain often subsides after a few hours or over the course of a few days. Medication is not necessary, thought most gout patients find it helpful. In some cases, an attack of gout can last for weeks. If you have gout, you will probably experience attacks repeatedly over the years.

Gout has the distinction of usually attacking only one joint at a time (unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which attacks multiple joints at a time). You can be tested for gout with a procedure that withdraws joint fluid for study. This is done under local anesthesia. Getting a solid diagnosis can ensure that you really do have gout, and not some other, similar, condition. Dietary changes, weight loss, and increased fluid intake (especially of water) can decrease the instances of acute gout attacks. Medications for pain relief, to treat inflammation, and also medications to treat the levels of uric acid can be used to further decrease gout.

For more information on gout visit The Gout Tips