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Gout
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What is Gout Disease?
The meaning of gout is simple: as mentioned earlier, inflammatory arthritis and pain in one or more joints characterize this disease. It usually affects the big toe but could also be found in other joints like the knee, ankle, wrist, hand, foot, and elbow.
Who is affected by gout?
It can affect anyone. It typically develops earlier in men than in women. Men naturally have higher uric acid levels and are three times more susceptible to the disease than women. It usually affects women after menopause when their uric acid levels increase. The predisposing factors for its occurrence are as follows:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Nephrological disorders
- Congestive heart failure
- Genetics (family history)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure )
- Dietary origin Animal protein diet, Alcohol, Fructose, Diuretics (water pills)
What Causes Gout?
Urate crystals accumulating in the joints cause inflammation and severe pain at the site. Elevated uric acid levels result in urate crystallization. Purines break down to form uric acid. The body naturally contains purines and you also consume them through your diet. They are present in red meat and organ meats (liver). Seafood rich in purine includes trout, tuna, mussels, anchovies, and sardines. Alcoholic beverages and fructose-enriched juices or fruits also raise uric acid levels.
Under normal physiological conditions, the body dissolves uric acid in the blood and excretes it through the kidneys via urine. However, when uric acid levels rise, or the kidneys can’t efficiently remove it from the body, it starts depositing in the joints. Uric acid deposits as sharp, needle-like crystals, causing pain and inflammation in the joints.
What are the symptoms of gout?
The attack is quite painful and sudden. Gout symptoms will remain there for a week or two. You may notice the following symptoms in your affected joints:
- Redness
- Intense pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Warmth (as hot as fire feeling on the joints)
- Tenderness (sensitive to even light touch)
Diagnosis
Your rheumatologist would examine you by considering the following parameters:
- Signs and Symptoms:
- Physical examination:
- Blood work
- X-ray imaging
- Ultrasonography
- Dual-energy computerized tomography (DECT)
- Joint fluid test (Aspiration)
How To Treat Gout?
The rheumatologist would prescribe a few gout treatment medications to soothe its symptoms. These are as follows:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) manage pain and swelling. NSAIDs should be prescribed to patients with kidney disorders, stomach ulcers, or other medical conditions.
- Colchicine (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is an oral medication that can subside these attacks if taken within 24 hours of onset.
- Corticosteroids can be administered as a pill or injection to alleviate pain and inflammation.
- Drugs for reducing uric acid levels and preventing future episodes include:
- Allopurinol (oral)
- Probenecid (oral)
- Febuxostat (oral)
- Pegloticase (intravenous infusion)
Prevention
Specific modification in lifestyle proves to be very beneficial in gout prevention. Increasing your water intake, regular exercise and dietary modification would be of great benefit to you.
Our 100% Effective Treatment Plan at Ginnastic Health Centre
Dr. Waseem at Ginnastic Health Centre is a renowned dietician and fitness trainer, as well as a myth buster. He is one of the pioneers in Pakistan for his “Diabetes Reversal Program.” He has treated patients with various metabolic syndromes through dietary and lifestyle management.
A common myth in our society is that a keto diet leads to elevated uric acid levels. Dr. Waseem explained how a therapeutic ketogenic diet is beneficial for gout. Uric acid has antioxidant properties and is produced endogenously via fructose. Reducing sugar or carbohydrates in the diet can lower uric acid levels. Organic apple cider vinegar and drinking plenty of water are also helpful in reducing uric acid. Dr. Waseem shares his therapeutic ketogenic diet plan, which includes
- 5% carbohydrates from vegetables (cauliflower, cucumber, etc.), nuts, and keto-friendly fruits (berries)
- 75% fats from cream, olive oil, desi ghee, butter, coconut oil, and cheese.
- 20% protein from boiled eggs, beef, chicken, mutton, or flax seeds.
The keto diet is effective in treating insulin resistance syndrome and consequently lowering uric acid levels. The ketogenic diet involves low carbohydrate intake and high-fat consumption. An abrupt decline in carbohydrates while increasing fat intake leads to a physiological process known as ketosis. This metabolic process shifts energy utilization from carbohydrates to fats, with fat being broken down into ketones in the liver to provide energy to the brain. Feel free to contact Ginnastic Health Center for your 100% effective gout disease treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basically, insulin resistance and uric acid levels are directly proportional to each other. An increase in insulin resistance decreases uric acid clearance from the body, leading to elevated uric acid levels. Serum uric acid levels are higher in type 2 diabetes and are associated with insulin resistance syndrome.
There are four phases of gout depending upon its severity. These are
- Asymptomatic hyperuricemia
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Intercritical gout
- Chronic tophaceous gout
You can easily manage your symptoms associated with a gout attack by adopting the following measures:
- Restrict alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Plenty of water intake
- Keep joints on elevated levels
- Ice pack therapy of the affected joints
- Don’t put weight or pressure on the joints
It is rare to have low uric acid levels in the blood, but low levels in urine can indicate specific health issues where a patient passes too much uric acid out of their body as waste.
Uric acid levels usually range from 2.5 to 7.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in males and 1.5 to 6.0 mg/dL in females. While low levels are uncommon, elevated levels can result in gout, kidney disease, and other health problems.
Get the Best Diabetes Treatment in Islamabad
Contact Us
Take charge of your diabetes with the guidance of Islamabad’s top diabetes specialist. Contact Ginnastic Health Center today to book your consultation and start your journey toward better health.
- Address: 3rd Floor Interlace Plaza, I-8 Markaz, Islamabad
- Phone: 03373333405
- Email: info@ginnastichealth.pk
- Website: https://ginnastic.pk/
Our committed team is ready to provide the care and support you need for effective diabetes management and reversal.