Gout is a disease that is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body which leads to the production of uric crystals which cause pain, redness and swelling. The most commonly affected part of the body is the big toe with other joints such as ankles, knees, elbows and fingers also affected.
More men than women are affected by the disease and it comes later in life affecting men in their 40s-50s and women going through menopause. It was often thought to be a rich man’s disease because it was brought about by a diet full of rich foods such as meats and alcohol.
Gout has been proven to be caused by a defective gene although diet does play a large part in the spread and severity of the disease. Gout remedies are wide and varied and mostly include changing your diet. This is because the disease manifests itself in excruciating, sudden pain in the affected joint as well as inflammation and redness. Obesity has been linked to being a contributing factor of the disease and people who are overweight are more likely to develop the disease if they do not already have it. Doctors advise all their obese patients to start losing their weight as this will reduce the number of incidences.
Gout remedies also include using prescription medicine to reduce the symptoms while removing the pain. It is important to combine this with a total lifestyle change as one without the other is not highly effective. One needs to remove completely meat from their diet or at least change to meats which are not as harmful. You also need to reduce your alcohol intake as alcohol is said to encourage the formation of the uric crystals. Taking a lot of fluids is another thing that is recommended as well as eating lots of vegetables and fruits. Strawberries are highly recommended.
Exercise and eating a healthy diet are the main ways in which you can help to ensure that the uric acid levels in your blood are kept at healthy levels. This is will also minimize the number of painful episodes experienced but it is important to consult your doctor before trying any gout remedies to ensure that it is not harmful to your health. Finding the right combination of diet, medication and natural remedies will go a long way.