Gout Causes and Treatment

I guess you are already aware about arthritis, which when simply defined, is a condition characterized by the inflammation of joint(s). Now, one complex kind of this disease is a condition which we are discussing on - gout. Although this condition can affect any one, men are known to be the more vulnerable sex. However, women too become prone to be hit by this condition, but after menopause. The symptoms that occur in this disorder may seem intimidating to most patients. But fortunately, gout is a treatable disease and there are different ways with the help of which its recurrence can be curbed in future. The segment on the gout causes and treatment would be preceded by the classic symptoms of the disease.

Gout Symptoms
Mostly, the symptoms which occur when a person is suffering from gout are acute. Meaning, they have a sudden occurrence, without any warning. Also, the symptoms typically occur at night. The main symptom that is indicative of gout is the pain that affects the large joint of the big toe. However, it may also affect other parts such as the feet, ankles, knees, hands and even wrists. Most people complain that the pain gets worst within the first 12 - 24 hours after it begins. Another gout symptom may be a lingering discomfort, which is left behind by the pain. This discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks. Inflammation and redness of the affected part, when occur with such a pain, could be a sure shot indication of the development of gout.

Now that we are over with knowing the classic symptoms, we can now move on to the segment on the causes of gout and treatment.

What Causes Gout?
To understand the topic on gout causes and treatment, you need to know about substances known as urate crystals. There is the production of uric acid in the body, as a result of the breaking down of purines. These are present naturally in the body and in certain foods, as well. When the body produces uric acid, it gets dissolved in the blood and passes through the kidneys into the urine. However, in some people, there might be an excess production of uric acid or the kidneys may not be able to excrete enough of the same from the system. Now when this occurs, the uric acid builds up to form what are known as urate crystals. These substances are sharp and have needle-like surfaces, and they tend to accumulate in a joint or surrounding tissue. And this is what gives rise to the pain, inflammation and swelling.

Taking about gout causing foods, they are those which are high in purines. Common ones include fish, heart, kidneys, liver, red meat, mackerel, sardines, scallops and shrimp. High consumption of all such foods contribute to the cause of gout. To add to these, anchovies, dried legumes, goose, meat extracts, roe, shellfish, baker's yeast, yeast extracts are some other foods that cause gout.

Having dealt with the section on the causes of gout, let us proceed further towards the part which would explain us about the important aspects about the treatment for gout.

Treatment
As we are here at this segment of the gout causes and treatment, it is to be known that the treatment procedures basically depend upon the health of the patient and his preferences. It usually involves the administration of different kinds of medications. It may be said that, there are two groups of medications which are prescribed for dealing with the condition. The first group treat acute attacks and help in preventing future flare-ups. The other one, serves to reduce the risk of complications which may result due to the condition. So, what we would be discussing in the following segment of this article on gout causes and treatment is about the kinds of medications which are involved in the treatment.

Drugs for gout treatment which are used to deal with the attacks, and curb the risk of future attacks include Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (for treating inflammation and pain), colchicine (pain killers for people who are not suitable to use NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (for inflammation and pain, and used by those who cannot take NSAIDs or colchicine).

The other class of drugs which I spoke about earlier in the 'treatment' segment of this article on gout causes and treatment, are for reducing the complications of the disease. These may include medicines which work to block the production of uric acid in the body, and some which aid the kidneys to get rid of the uric acid from the body.

Apart from these medications, some people may also benefit from natural treatment of gout. This may involve the use of apples, lemon juice, and French beans. And the concept of cherries and gout is something which has been an age-old practice to fight with this ailment. Following a gout treatment diet is also a part of the natural gout treatment, which provides a great deal of help.

To add some concluding lines to this piece on gout causes and treatment, it is mandatory for the patient to drink about 2 - 4 liters of fluid each day, including water, and so is to avoid alcohol. Needless to say, avoid purine rich foods, and get your daily protein from sources like fat-free dairy, tofu, eggs, etc.