Gout

Reviewed By : Dr. Veena 

What is Gout?

Gout is a metabolic disease marked by painful inflammation of the joints, deposits of urates in and around the joints, and usually an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood. It is a type of arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis. Gout is also known as podagra and historically referred to as the "disease of kings" or "rich man's disease."

It is more common in men than women. It typically attacks around the age of 47 and is rarely observed in women before menopause. Men above 35 years and women above 40 (at menopausal stage) are commonly affected. In this disease, uric acid deposits in the form of needle-like crystals in tissues and fluids within the body. It more often strikes the joint of the big toe.

The rate of gout has approximately doubled between 1990 and 2010.

Ref: Update on Gout: New Therapeutic Strategies and Options, Nature Reviews Rheumatology 6(1): 30-38.

Causes:

• High-purine diet (purine is a specific compound found in certain foods, such as meat, seafood, poultry)
• Obesity
• Renal insufficiency
• Hypertension
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Hyperuricemia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Spicy food
• Regular use of diuretics
• Chemotherapy
• Stress
• Hereditary factors
• According to Ayurveda, the cause of gout is vitiated blood.

Incidence Pattern:

• Pitta prakriti people are more prone to this disease.
• People who consume excessive alcohol are more prone to this disease.
• Acute onset, nocturnal, monoarticular involvement.

Symptoms:

• Urate (salt of uric acid) in joint fluid
• Sudden onset of a red, tender, hot, swollen joint
• The most common joint involved is at the base of the big toe, where swelling can occur with severe tenderness
• Any joint can be involved (e.g., knee, ankle, and small joints of the hands), i.e., multiple joints can be involved in attacks
• In the post-inflammatory stage: itching, piercing pain, stretching, coppery skin, burning sensation, and pain
• In the active inflammatory stage: swelling, extreme pain
• Serum uric acid above 7.5 mg/dl
• Pain may occur at night
• In some people, pain is so severe that the touch of cloth can cause extreme pain
• Swelling, inflammation, and tenderness in the joints
• The affected area may become red or purplish
• Tophi (deposits of urates in tissues, characteristic of gout) in subcutaneous and periarticular tissues

Natural Home Remedies:

• Obese individuals should try to reduce their weight.
• Take cherry juice to help relieve pain and the severity of attacks.
• Patients should consume vegetable juices, like carrot and beet juice.
• Ashwagandha root has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful in gout, but more research is required.
• Rubia cordifolia (Manjistha) is useful in treating gout as it improves blood circulation and helps purify the blood. Consider taking a Manjistha herbal supplement.
• For constipation in gout patients, take 1 teaspoon of the powder of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) before bed. If this is not possible, take a Terminalia chebula herbal supplement.
• Take the powder of the herb Gorakhamundi.
• Add camphor to hot mustard oil so that the camphor dissolves. Then gently massage the affected area with this oil.
• Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain joint health and relieve pain and swelling.
• Massage with castor seed oil is beneficial due to the ricinoleic acid present in it, which helps relieve pain.
• Eat two apples daily.
• Celery is useful in treating gout.
• Take juice of French beans.
• Avoid strenuous exercises.
• Old rice, mung dal, meat, and garlic are advisable.
• Fresh raw vegetables are good for reducing uric acid.
• Alfalfa is beneficial.
• Red clover tea is beneficial.

Granthokta Preparation:

• Kaishor Guggulu
• Punarnavadi Mandoor
• Navakarshik Churna

Avoid:

• Afternoon naps
• Foods that increase uric acid levels in the blood
• Diuretics
• Soya milk, as it naturally contains purines
• Excessive salt
• Excessive fructose
• Purine-rich vegetables like spinach and peas

Tests Required:

• Uric acid levels in blood for hyperuricemia
• Joint fluid test for gout

Take all these remedies in consultation with a doctor or Ayurvedic physician.