With all the messages in the media bout living a healthier life then it is strange that none of them mention the crippling effect that getting the disease gout can have on you. Some people don't even know what it is, but the serious pain it can cause cannot be ignored. Most people tend to ignore this form of arthritis as it is not fatal, and only 5 out of every 1000 people are affected by it, but sufferers treat it very seriously indeed.

Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in your body, that then forms needle shaped crystals. The crystals move around in the blood and fluids of the body, until they congregate around a joint. The uric acid crystals have a party of sorts, and start to irritate the neighboring tissue. The party doesn't stop, so the tissue gets severely irritated and becomes seriously inflamed. Very suddenly, usually in the middle of the night, you have a big toe or other joint feeling like it is really on fire and burning up. Pain comes out of the blue, it is extremely intense and often last for a week or more.

The pain and swelling can be debilitating for the area involved, often the toe or foot. It can mean no walking other than crutches for a week or so. The inflammed area is so sensitive that anything that comes into contact with it will cause extreme pain and discomfort. Patients report the sheet on the bed causes great pain during a gout attack. Gout attacks, but it then subsides for a little while and returns with a vengeance another time.

If you take the holistic approach to gout, there are several lifestyle adaptations available for prevention or mitigation of gout. It could be said that all of the recommended practices are beneficial in other health areas as well. The first is maintaining a healthy weight and good fitness. Extra weight on the body can lead to increased uric acid production in the body and increased risk of gout.

Your lifestyle can assist the body natural ability to remove any excess uric acid. The easiest way to help is to drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Water is essential to your body eliminating waste well, including uric acid. Another obvious part of this lifestyle change is to limit the amount of alcohol you consume, especially drinks you consume regularly. The odd drink won't cause massive problems, but you may be surprised how much you actually drink and long term drinking can increase your chances massively.

For the food aspects of diet, there are guidelines for gout prevention. Purines are a substance the body makes into uric acid. Wild meats and foods that involve the organs in an animal are very high in purines so they may help create excess uric acid. Some delicacies such as liver, kidney, heart, and brains should be strictly limited or eliminated for maximum gout prevention. Shellfish and small oily fish such as anchovies, herring, and sardines are on the list to avoid as well.

Following these changes will increase your health overall, not just your ability to avoid gout, and you will feel much better with more energy and vitality!


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