Gout [ joint-problem] 

 Definition:

Gout is a form of acute arthritis that causes severe pain and swelling in the joints. It most commonly affects the big toe, but may also affect the heel, ankle, hand, wrist, or elbow. It affects the spine often enough to be a factor in lower back pain. Gout is often a recurring condition. An attack usually comes on suddenly and goes away after 5–10 days. Gout occurs when there are high levels of uric acid circulating in the blood, and the acid crystallizes and settles in the bodythe body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys aren’t able to filter enough of it out, there is a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. This condition is known as hyperuricemia.

Uric acid does not tend to remain dissolved in the bloodstream. Over the course of years, or even decades, hyperuricemia may cause deposits of crystallized uric acid throughout the body. Joints, tendons, ear tips, and kidneys are favored sites. When the immune system becomes alerted to the urate crystals, it mounts an inflammatory response that includes the pain, redness, swelling, and damage to joint tissue that are the hallmarks of an acute gout attack.

The body’s uric acid production tends to increase in males during puberty. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that nine out of ten of those suffering from gout are men. Since it can take up to 20 years of hyperuricemia to have gout symptoms, men don’t commonly develop gout until reaching their late 30s or early 40s. If a woman does develop gout, typically, it will be later in her life. According to some medical experts, this is because estrogen protects against hyperuricemia. It is not until estrogen levels begin to fall during menopause that urate crystals can begin to accumulate.

Hyperuricemia does not necessarily lead to gout. The tendency to accumulate urate crystals may be due to genetic factors, excess weight, or overindulgence in the wrong kinds of food. In addition, regular use of alcohol to excess, the use of diuretics, and the existence of high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood can increase the risk of developing the disease. In some cases, an underlying disease such as lymphoma, leukemia, or hemolytic anemia may also lead to gout.

Causes:

  • A high level of uric acid in the bloodstream is caused by eating protein-rich foods.
  • Consumption of alcohol also causes acute attacks of gout.
  • Genetic factors play a major role in causing high levels of uric acid.
  • Persons suffering from heart disease, renal disorders, diabetes, hemolytic anemia and hypertension are more likely to have high uric acid levels. Chronic lead poisoning also causes gout.

Symptoms

  • Gout is characterized by sudden, excruciating, burning pain along with redness, inflammation, stiffness and warmth in the affected joint.
  • Low fever may also occur.
  • Tissue inflammation around the joint causes the skin to become tender, sore and swollen when touched.
  • Poor circulation of blood is a factor that may lead to gout.
  • Patients are known to have tophi in the helix of the ear. High levels of uric acid in the urine lead to uric acid crystals precipitating in the bladder and kidneys, or forming uric acid kidney stones.

Yogic cure:-

 [1] Shatkarma                                    {Purificatory techniques}

{a} Kunjal                                           {Volitional stomach wash}

{b} Sankh-prakshalana                  {Mouth to anus gut wash}

[2] Yogasanas                                        {Posture}

{a} Shalabhasana                                  {Locust}

{b} Padmasana                                      {Lotus}

{c} Dhanurasana                                   {Bow}

{d} Trikonasana                                    {Tringe}

{e} Vakrasana                                        {Crane}

{f} Bhujangasana                                  {Cobra}

{g} Pawan-muktasana                        {Wind release}

{h}  Halasana                                         {Plough}

{i}  Paschimottanasana                      {Posterior stretch}

{j} Gomukhasana                                 {Cow}

{k} Kurmasana                                     {Tortoise}

{l} Matsyendrasana                            {Spinal twist}

[3]Pranayama                {Body-mind energising breathing practices}

{a} Surya-bhedana                           {Right nostrilar pranayama}

{b} Bhastrika                                     {Bellows pranayama}

[4] Bandhas:-                                                   {Bands}

{a} Mool bandha                                     {Anal lock}

{b} Uddiyana bandha                            {Abdominal lock}

[5]Mudras:                                                          {Finger –posture}

{a} Vayu mudra

{b} Shankha mudra

[6] Dhayan                                                        {Meditation}

{7} Yogic diet:-

YOGIC DIETARY ADVICE FOR PA­TIENTS SUFFERING FROM GOUT.

Foods to be Avoided by pain sufferers of Gout.

Cold dishes, cold drinks, ice creams etc.

Curd, yoghurt and buttermilk.

Sour and bitter foods like pickles, sauces, chutneys vinegar, tamarind etc.

Raw tomatoes, raw mangoes, sour fruit juices.

Hot spices and chillies.

Grams, heavy pulses like rajmah, urad and lentils (peas and beans etc.)

Citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, mausambis etc.

Kachalu, arbi, Yam (Zimikand) and other such heavy vegetables.

Rice, fried food items.

Non Vegetarian foods.

Alcholic and other drinks.

Maida, refined careals, other items made from refined cereals.

Tinned foods, preserved and pro­cessed foods.

Too much of oils and fats.

Foods Allowed for pain sufferers of Gout.

Gourd Bottle, ridge gourd, bitter gourd, drum stick , Green papaya, plaintains (raw bananas), brinjals, Bathu,.a Spinach, Capsicum, parmal, kunduru, raw turmeric and all other veg­etables except those listed above under the heading ‘Foods to be avoided.

Wheat, maize, buck wheat (Kootu), barley etc.

Light washed pulses like mung, arhar and masur.

Mild spices like ginger (adrak), cummin seeds (Zeera), Cloves (laung), cinnamon (dalchini), turmeric (haldi), co­riander (dhania), black pepper (Kali mirch), asfoetida (hing) and garlic.

Milk and its products except curd.

Green leafy vegetables, tender radish and carrots.

Papaya, apples, pears (sweet), apple juice, carrot juice, grape juice, pomegran­ate, black currants (munakka).

Honey, sugars etc.

Limited quantities of fats and oils.

Preferably warm water to be taken.

Take one-half teaspoon paste of juice or garlic mixed with two teaspoon honey twice a day on empty stomach.

Take 5-10 g of raw turmeric or the same boiled with milk in the morning on empty stomach.

If constipative, take two ounces (60 ml) of castor oil mixed with warm milk, preferably at night.            

  Further suggestion:-

Fast of Orange Juice and Water

For an acute attack, there is no better remedy than a fast of orange juice and water. In severe cases, it is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts for three days or so rather than one long fast.

All Fruit Diet

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for another three or four days.

Natural Food diet

Thereafter, he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of natural foods, with emphasis on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and sprouts.

Avoid Purine and Acid Producing Foods

The patient should avoid all purine and uric acid-producing foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.

Yogi Yoganand