Gout. Signs and effects on the kidneys.

Description of the disease and its symptoms

Gout is a metabolic disease. Due to metabolic disorders, accumulation occurs in the joints. The acids on which the disease is based are called urates. Gout is a disease known since ancient times, and it is not for nothing that it is called the disease of kings. After all, it was the kings who drank a large amount of alcoholic beverages and had no restrictions on food. This way of life has a significant impact on the kidneys, as a result of which a disease such as gout can occur. Today, gout is quite rare, but the disease is more common among men.

This disease in women manifests itself, as a rule, after the 2nd stage of the onset of menopause, when the body is rebuilt and various diseases appear.

Also, it can be said that gout is a disease of the joints, since salts not excreted with urine are deposited in them. Urate salts are deposited in all joints of the arms and legs.

Causes of gout

Gout is caused by an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood, and at the same time, uric acid is not excreted, but lingers in the body, and is deposited in the joints and other organs. Uric acids are able to crystallize and destroy the joints partially or completely.
There are two main reasons in the body that contribute to the development of gout:
1. The kidneys are fully functional and in a healthy state, but there is such an amount of uric acid in the body that the kidneys are not able to filter and remove it completely.
2. The level of uric acid in the body does not exceed the norm, but the kidneys are weak and cannot remove all the uric acid.

Symptoms of gout

The symptoms of gout cannot be ignored. Urate salts have a destructive effect on the joints, which causes severe excruciating pain. The symptoms are especially pronounced during the "attack of gout", when the disease worsens, and acute pain is felt. In addition to severe pain, there are still such visible signs of gout: the appearance of growths, redness of the joint, swelling of the joint, the joint becomes hot. Often, the disease manifests itself on the feet in the area of ​​​​the thumb, and gout of the hand, fingers, and ankles is a little less common). A gout attack can last for days or weeks if not treated properly. Attacks of gout are easy to recognize: in this case, unbearable pain occurs in any of the joints, body temperature reaches 40 degrees. As a rule, ordinary noshpa and aspirin are not able to reduce pain. In this case, stronger painkillers are needed. An attack of gout can last for several hours, most often at night. With the onset of the day, the pain may pass, but this will not mean recovery, the attacks will recur. In most cases, gout is chronic, but despite this, treatment for exacerbations is necessary. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, the risk of complete destruction of the joint is greatly increased. In addition, you should not endure unbearable pain, but it is better to immediately consult a doctor.

How to relieve pain during gout attacks?

As mentioned above, gout attacks require medical attention. However, the doctor should be consulted when the attack has passed. But, if the attack has already begun, then it is necessary to provide for yourself all the conditions that will ease the fate. First of all, you need to understand that a gout attack lasts a certain time, and it cannot go away instantly. But it is necessary to take such measures to alleviate it (often gout affects the joints near the big toe):
1. Take a horizontal position and stay in it until the attack ends.
2. Place a pillow under your feet to create an elevated position. Thus, the legs will relax, and the pain will become less intense.
3. Ice can be applied to the affected joint, as no painkillers will help.
4. A strict dietary restriction is required. It is recommended to consume only liquid food, and more alkaline drink. It can be milk, jelly and ordinary mineral water without gas, to which you need to add lemon juice (it breaks down uric acid).
5. If there have already been visits to the doctor and the doctor has prescribed medication, then you should take them.

Complications of gout

This disease can provoke gouty arthritis. Gouty arthritis is a process in which gouty nodules (composed of sodium urate crystals) are deposited throughout the body. When gouty nodes reach the joints, this is a signal to the body about a foreign body. As a result, the body turns on the protective function and provokes the inflammatory process. Often gout becomes a harbinger of urolithiasis, since if uric acid accumulates in the joints, then, most likely, it is also present in the organs. Urolithiasis is especially dangerous, because against its background, kidney failure can develop, which can lead to death.

Treatment

Treatment of gout is a rather difficult and long process. This disease means that a person’s lifestyle will no longer be the same, since this disease occurs in a chronic form, and it cannot be completely cured. But, if treatment is started in a timely manner, then the disease and its attacks can be controlled and the suffering of the patient can be reduced.
First of all, treatment involves the control of uric acid in the human body. The necessary treatment will be made by a rheumatologist who will prescribe drugs that remove uric acid. However, you should be careful with drugs, as some of them can harm other organs if they are diseased. In the presence of other diseases, be sure to warn the doctor.

Gout is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the course of such treatment is approximately one or two weeks (depending on the severity of the case).

Treatment with medications is aimed at solving the main problems of the disease: reduce the amount of uric acid that is in the patient's body; reduce pain and stop the inflammatory process.
remission occurs. But how long the remission will be, it completely depends on the patient and his attitude to his health. When all medical recommendations are followed, there is an opportunity to improve the quality of your life.

Prevention of gout attacks

- It is necessary to limit the physical load on the affected joints, in case of pain, take a horizontal position and apply ice to the inflamed area. Such procedures must be done daily, which will reduce the likelihood of seizures or reduce their intensity.
— Aspirin should not be taken, as it will not relieve gouty pain, but only cause jumps in the level of uric acid and can cause an even greater deterioration in well-being.
- You should regularly monitor your level of uric acid in the urine. Normally, it is up to 60 mg / l.
- It is necessary to devote time to small physical exercises (exercise, walking, etc.) This will help prolong the remission of the disease.
- To make it easier for the kidneys to cope with their function, and remove excess urinary fluid, it is necessary to use purified water in the amount of 2 liters. in a day. The use of tea and especially coffee should be limited, since the kidneys must also filter them. Clean water will help remove uric acid, and will also help prevent other diseases of the genitourinary system.
— Ensuring a complete rejection of carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
- You need to take vitamin C.
- Reduce the consumption of protein foods, remove fatty, fried, spicy, sour and smoked foods from the diet.
Today, the treatment of gout with folk remedies is popular.

Traditional medicine for gout

Recipe 1

Chamomile is a versatile folk remedy and can relieve inflammation. Chamomile flowers can be collected and dried on their own, or you can buy a ready-made collection at a pharmacy. You need to take dried chamomile flowers in a ratio of 100 g per 10 liters, and let the solution brew. After the decoction has been infused, you need to make a bath for the inflamed joint.

Recipe 2

Spruce cones also have healing properties. You need to take a whole spruce cone with seeds, and pour boiling water over it (1.5 cups). The decoction should be infused all night, and in the morning it must be taken half an hour before each meal. The procedure is used without restrictions.

Recipe 3

Bay leaf is perfect for cleansing the joints of salts and uric acid. You need to take 5 g of bay leaf, pour water (1.5) cups, and bring to a boil, then let it boil for another 5 minutes. Boiling a decoction of bay leaves should be without a lid, since essential oils harmful to the kidneys should evaporate during this time. Only after boiling, the resulting broth should be tightly wrapped and consumed no later than the day when it was prepared.

Recipe 4

Rice is an excellent joint cleanser. In the beginning, before boiling, rice should be washed several times and left to soak in water overnight. After the rice has been infused, it must be put on fire and boiled (repeat 4 times), after which the rice can be eaten, but do not add salt and butter. After eating rice, you should not eat for 4 hours, and it is better to take rice in the evening before going to bed. Rice will effectively cleanse the body and reduce the level of salts in the body.

Folk remedies can provide effective assistance in the treatment of the disease at home.
After all, gout is a very serious disease that does not come alone. It is better to treat the disease with folk methods in cooperation with the drugs prescribed by the doctor. In addition, if there is a desire to use folk remedies, you should definitely discuss this with your doctor.

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