Fact Checked
Gout is a rheumatic disease that is very painful and caused by uric acid crystals that accumulates in the spaces between the joints and in the connective tissues and will result to pain and stiffness in the joints. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is quite common among men but women can also suffer from gout after menopause.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOa7TLnwFXs”]Symptoms of gout
- An attack of gout begins without warning and last for hours to weeks, and usually happen during night time or early in the morning.
- First sign of gout are nodules or tophi found in the joints of the hands and elbows
- Pain caused by gout can be felt as warm or hot feeling with swelling of the affected area.
- During attacks of gout, the area around the joint becomes purple or red in color.
- When pain subsides, there is peeling and itchiness around the affected area.
- A fever during a gout attack
- Joint stiffness and difficulty with movements
Common causes
- Gout can be caused by genetics and heredity where any members of the family have history of gout and it can be minimized by changes in the diet and minimizing the consumption of alcohol helps in delaying the onset of gout.
- Middle-aged men are susceptible to this condition due to high level of uric acid in their body
- Drinking alcohol especially beer can cause gout.
- Eating high protein diet such as red meats, oil fish, organ meat can makes a person prone to develop gout.
- A sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise can cause gout.
- Suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure can put an individual at high risk for developing gout.
- Taking medications for high blood pressure
- Prolonged exposure to lead can also cause gout.
Treatment
- Soak the affected foot in a mixture of warm water mixed with ground pepper can help in minimizing uric acid by inducing perspiration.
- Apply alternately hot and cold compress on the affected area. Apply a cold compress for at least 10 minutes and then place a warm compress on the same affected area for another 10 minutes since it helps lessen the pain and inflammation.
- Consume lime which is a good source of vitamin C. Citric acid found in lime helps in dissolving uric acid. Drink a glass of water mixed with the juice of half lime at least two times every day.
- Make a paste by mixing water and charcoal powder about ½ cups. Apply this on the affected joint helps to lessen pain. Another way is soaking the affected foot in this mixture for 30 minutes at a time.
- Keep foot elevated when there is an attack of gout since it helps in minimizing the pressure placed on the joints and also helps to lessen pain.
- Performing regular exercises every day since these helps in flushing out excess uric acid and prevents the accumulation of uric acid in the body. It also helps in increasing the circulation of blood in the area and minimizes inflammation during an attack of gout.