Arthritis? Joint Pains? Gout? Consult #DrGowthaman at #rVita!

Ayurveda and Gout

Gout is a painful auto immune- inflammatory condition which affects the joints. Clinically, Presence of uric acid crystals in joints causes inflammation of the joints. During the metabolism uric acid and its components are formed, in Gout due to higher levels of uric acids in the blood it leads to the formation of microscopic crystals which stored in the joints. This process slowly leads to inflammation of joints which again leads to pain, fever and stiffness.

Causes for increased uric acid level in blood & Gout
Hereditary
Obesity
Sedentary life style and a lack of walking
Lack of proper exercises
Consumption of fatty foods and animal protein
Eating foods that cause burning during digestion
Consumption of incompatible foods
Not having sufficient sleep
Exposure to cold weather
High alcohol intake
High intake of food like  liver, kidneys, sweetbreads ,tongue, red meat, Shellfish, fish peas, lentils and beans. These foods contain purines.
Few drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
Some of the conditions that can lead to the disorder are
surgery or injury
stress
Reaction to alcohol and drugs including prescription medicines.
kidney disorders
enzyme deficiencies
lead poisoning
psoriasis
anemia

A condition known as pseudo gout or false gout is similar to gout but less painful and is caused by calcium crystals in the joints. It generally afflicts people age 60 and up.

Symptoms

Inflammation
Swelling
Tenderness in the affected joint
Touching or moving the joint is extremely painful
Unbearable pain (as if cutting the joint)
Burning sensation
Ayurveda tips to prevent Gout
Consume wheat, green gram, raisins, ginger and milk
Avoid horse raiding, or other sports which involves lot of joint movements.
Avoid afternoon sleep, roaming in hot sun,   Do not consume alcohol, fish, urad dhal, horse gram, curds, radish
Ayurveda treatments for Gout
Ayurvedic treatments for gout vary depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of the disease. Ayurvedic treatments for gout consist of Pancha karma, oral medicines and diet regulations. Snehanam-(oilation), virechanam- (purgation), abhyanga-(massage), pradeha, pralepa-(medicated packs) and basthi-(enema) are the treatments suggested in the treatment of gout
Abhyanga (Oil massage)
It increases the metabolism, which leads to better tissue respiration and circulation, causing the body to flush out its waste products more efficiently. It helps in alleviating rheumatic disorders. It provides comfort to the eyes, sound sleep, and tones up the body, improves flexibility, softness and firmness of the skin and for long life. It is the most ancient method used to remove muscular fatigue and pain.
Pizhichil (Oil bath)
In pizhichil, lukewarm medicated herbal oil is poured all over the body. This treatment is very effective in rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, spondlitis, hemiplegia, Gout, nervous weakness and nervous disorders. This treatment is prescribed not only for rheumatic ailments (vatic disorders) but also for many other diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, fits, convulsions etc.
Home Remedies for Gout
Apples are good for gout
3 ml of lemon juice mixed in 100 ml of water, thrice daily helps the kidney to detoxify
30 ml French bean juice said to be effective in gout. It has to be taken for at least 30 days as one course
Cherries play a vital role in improving the anti oxidants in the system. Some naturopaths recommend 10 fresh cherries a day to keep the gout in control.
Carrot juice mixed with the juices of beet and cucumber acts as diuretic hence it is recommended for Gout
A charcoal bath is a good Home Remedy for Gout. Mix in old basin one half cup of charcoal powder with water until a paste is made. Place affected foot into the basin and add water until the foot is enclosed. Steep your foot in the charcoal bath for thirty to sixty minutes.

This is a painful metabolic disease resulting in the inflammation and chalky deposit in the joints due to disturbance of purine metabolism in the body. In ayurveda, this is known as vatarakta.

Causative factors
Impairment of digestion and metabolism because of intake of mutually contradictory food articles and non-elimination of the metabolic waste products  from the body are responsible for the causation of this disease.

Signs and symptom
The characteristic feature of this disease is the involvement of the big toe in the beginning which becomes acutely painful and swollen. Gradually, other joints are involved and the patient experiences difficulty in walking and sometimes even moving.

Treatment
Since the disease is caused by vata, to correct it in the beginning, Pancatikta Ghrita is given to the patient in a dose of two teaspoonfuls twice daily on empty stomach mixed with warm water. This should be continued for about 15 days. For external application, guducyadi taila is to be given. The important ingredient of this medicated oil is guduchi(Tinospora cordifolia).

Kaisore guggulu is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of two tablets three times a day (6 tablets per day). This should be followed by two ounce of decoction of manjistha (Rubia cordifolia). Bowels of the patient should be kept clear and if required powder of haritaki (Terminalia chebula) should be given to the patient in a dose of two teaspoonfuls at bed time with warm water.

The root bark of asvattha tree (Ficus religiosa) is useful in this condition. In a decoction form it is given in a dose of two ounces daily.

Diet
Freshly harvested rice and wheat should not be given to the patient. Old rice, wheat, mung dal, meat soup, garlic, onion, bitter gourd, papaya and green banana can be taken by the patient. Curd, any other form of sour food, heavy food and fried things are prohibited.

Other regimens
The patient should not perform any violent exercise. He should not sit idle either. Exposure to cols wind and rain and cold bath are strictly contraindicated.

Call 9500123412 / 04445584488 / 04442187226 / 04443588817 for #DrGowthaman's #appointments in #Chennai