Gout is recognized as one of the leading causes of painful, disabling, chronic arthritis. Gout is a disorder of uric-acid metabolism, and is just one of over 150 different diseases referred to as arthritis (any condition which causes inflammation, pain and swelling in and around the joints). Your GP may therefore be unable to make a firm diagnosis straight away, and you may have to be referred for further tests.
Gout is a form of arthritis that produces intense bursts of joint pain and affects millions of people, with men being the most susceptible.
References to gout go back thousands of years and have normally been labeled as a result of over indulgence, due mainly to the close connection with the wealthy and their rich diet. We now know that gout can attack anyone, regardless of diet.
Gout is characterized by excruciating, sudden, unexpected, burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs commonly in men in their toes, especially the big toe, but can appear in other parts of the body and affects women as well.
Gout is though to be more severe if the symptoms start before or around the age of 30. Diabetics and kidney problems can make the condition worse.
Gout is a chronic condition caused by an uncontrolled metabolic disorder, hyperuricemia, which leads to the deposition of mono sodium urate (uric acid) crystals in tissue around the joint. Hyperuricemia means too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is the by product of purine nucleotide catabolism .
Studies indicate that almost 1% of the adult population may experience symptoms of gout at some time in their lives.
Frequent attacks of gout, left untreated can lead to joint deformity and in some cases damage to other organs.
Is there a cure for gout?
While some will describe gout as an incurable disease, much like other terms of arthritis, they would be wrong.
Gout can be treated successfully without drugs, using only natural practices. A combination of alternative methods can easily treat all of the underlying factors known to contribute to gout.
Modern medicine encourage the use of anti-inflammatory and pain killing drugs, however due to their toxicity these drugs often add to the problem, and can worsen gout in the longterm.
Natural anti-oxidants combined with a couple of simple life changes will relieve gout quickly and safely.
Many of these remedies are freely available, use them in the right combination and you will see dramatic results.