Gouty Arthritis

Gout is actually a form of arthritis. It is the body's reaction to irritating crystal deposits in the joints. The pain can be intense, but treatment usually works very well. Mild cases may be controlled by diet.

Causes

Medical or health triggers of gout

• Joint injury
• Surgery or sudden severe illness
• Infection
• Taking certain diuretic medications for high blood pressure, leg swelling (edema) or heart failure
• Taking the drug cyclosporine
• Starting a uric acid-lowering treatment
• Chemotherapy

Lifestyle triggers of gout

• Crash diets and fasting
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Eating large portions of certain foods high in purines (red meats or shellfish)
• Dehydration

Symptoms

• Burning sensation
• Swollen joints
• Pain and redness in the small joints of the body
• Fever
• Swelling
• Pricking pain
• Itching

Ayurvedic Gout Treatment

In Ayurveda, gout is known as vatarakt, as the main dosha involved is vata and it affects rakt dhatu. Vitiation of vata dosha and rakt dhatu is caused by increased intake of spicy, sour, salty, alkaline, heavy and penetrating foods. The impaired doshas travel through the channels of the body and get accumulated at the smaller joints causing damage to the tissues and bones of the joint resulting in vatarakt.

Excessive anger, waking up late in the night, sleeping in the daytime, excessive traveling, trauma, overindulgence in physical exercises, excessive sexual activity and suppressing the natural urges of the body can also lead to gout. Ayurvedic treatments emphasize herbal preparations, diet and routines that help to cleanse the blood.