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GOUT

What is it and what are Gouty Tophi?

(Keywords: gout, arthritis, chiropractic help, gouty tophi)

This is an extremely painful condition, most usually in the great toe , but it can occur in any joint in the body.



What causes it?

Uric acid is quite naturally a break down product of protein metabolism, particularly red meats and sea foods.

In this nasty condition there is a missing enzyme that is vital to the break down and normal excretion of uric acid. The result is that urate crystals form in the joints causing them to become red, swollen, shiny and extremely painful. Hot!

They can also build up in the kidneys causing stones .

Mushrooms have been implicated as a causative factor, as have diuretics.

The vast majority of people with high uric acid remain asymptomatic and never develop pain. Why? We're not sure, but it is mostly to do with the overall well-being of the individual. Eat healthily with plenty of fibre from fresh fruit and salad, drinking plenty of water, exercise regularly - and you probably won't get gout, even if you are missing the vital enzymme.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Read more about an essential oil from Juniper which can help disperse the uric acid crystals. ESSENTIAL OIL ... especially Juniper.



Searching for something specific? Say, " gouty tophi ". Just type it in here...



A United States explosion

No one is quite sure why but, whilst hospitalisations in the USA in the last 20 years have increased by 11%, hospitalisations due to the Big G have mushroomed by nearly 400%. That's nuclear! Avoid mushrooms if you suffer from the Big G! Otherwise eat masses of them!

Common sense can be totally misleading, but it's not unrealistic to assume that it's related to the 'crap' fast food diet that Americans 'enjoy'. Getting back to eating a genuine salad (not a leaf of lettuce and a quarter of tomato) several days a week, plenty of fruit and raw food in general, back to nature is surely what it's about.

When did you last eat a bowl of legumes? A beetroot? Cold water fish? A bowl of olives? Bean sprouts? Take a look at our Healthy Living Page ... What are PHYTOSTEROLS and could they help …

Read more from HEALTHY LIVING TIPS …


Treatment

It's a very treatable disease but it is doubtful that straight chiropractic has any role to play. In the acute phase it is best treated with NSAIDs and medication to reduce uric acid. As with all inflammatory conditions, icing with an ice cube is the topical treatment of choice. Once the acute phase is over it is best to reduce protein rich foods, especially red meat, which is beneficial anyway. Mushrooms should be avoided. According to Wiki the red wine story is a myth, but beer has a profoundly detrimental effect. Shame!

More salad and, as with all the inflammatory arthritides, fasting may be of value.

Like all diseases, if neglected, it can produce gross changes in the body particularly, in this instance, in the joints.

Of concern is that treatment with a bisphosphonate drug may cause osteonecrosis (bone death) in some joints.

There is much that can be done in the way of natural arthritis relief for the Big G. Follow this link for some good solid dietary suggestions that MAY enable you phase out, or at least minimise your drug intake. Natural arthritis relief: GOUTY ARTHRITIS ...

EARLY SIGNS...

Most people get early warning signs, and you will have to learn to recognise yours. You are likely to get warnings like this:

  1. You wake in the morning thinking you must have stubbed your toe or sprained your ankle in the night.

  2. A dry mouth.

  3. You'll have your own... write them down.

DO NOT DELAY

Gout attack kit

A G-attack seems to have a very sharp curve whereby the longer you wait to intervene, the more the related pain/discomfort and therefore the longer it will take to heal. Hit it early!

  1. Drink lots of water

  2. Take one Colchicine 0.5mg tablet

  3. Drink lots of water

  4. Step 2: Take 2 Goutex tablets (from NaturesOwnBrands ...)

  5. Drink lots of water

  6. Mix and then drink a heaped teaspoon of Base Alkalising Salts (from NaturesOwnBrands ...) in a glass of water (repeat the Goutex and Alkalising salts in the evening)

  7. Drink lots of water

  8. Cut out all red meat and alcohol for at least two weeks. Eat plenty of salads and get your protein from vegetable sources like our Authentic Hummus recipe and

  9. Put your feet up above your head

  10. Drink lots of water

Take the Colchicine for at least 3-4 days, and continue the Goutex and Alkalising salts once a day for at least a week.

If you wait too long...

In severe cases, or when you have waited too long an anti-inflammatory works wonders to decrease the severity of the pain. I also like to use ALLOPURINOL or its generic PURICOS for a few days to help to inhibit uric acid production.


USEFUL LINKS

  • To return from the big G to our general ARTHRITIS ... page.

    To Wikipedia and Gout ...
  • What are gouty tophi ?


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