Gouty Arthritis - Symptoms, Causes & Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

At present, the lifestyles and eating patterns of people nowaday is one of the most important reasons for several diseases. People are not aware about the harmful consequences of it. These are affecting them not only physically but also mentally and socially. It is a matter of concern. One such disease that totally restricts the movements of the body is Gouty Arthritis. It is one of the most common metabolic diseases in which joint at the big toe is involved. It is more likely to suffer in rich people than poor ones. Usually the uric acid level is increased which causes the formation of needle-like crystals in the joints causing inflammation, pain and swelling.

Introduction

Gouty Arthritis is a purine metabolic disorder involving the inflammation of the joint at the big toe which restricts its movement. In this disorder, MUMC ( Momo urate monohydrate crystals) are deposited around the synovial joints which form the urate crystals as the uric acid level is increased. It is more common in males than females. Usually the uric acid level is increased in males after the age of 20 and in females it is increased after the menopause.But when the body produces uric acid more than usual ( males- >7.0 mg/dl and females- > 6.0 mg/dl) this leads to the formation of the needle like crystals in joint .

Causes

Generally Gout happens when urate crystals accumulate in the joints. But not everyone with high urate levels develops it. There are several factors that increase the chance of developing gout. These are:

1. Intake of red meat and organ meats and oily fishes as these increases the levels of uric acid
2. Sea food is also responsible for Gouty arthritis
3. Intake of alcoholic beverages like beer and drinks which include fruit sugar
4. Obese person is more likely to suffer
5. Some diseases like Diabetes,Heart disease and hypertension increases the risk of Gouty Arthritis
6. Family history of Gout
7. Certain medications like overuse of antibiotics and diuretics

Symptoms

1. Swelling in one or more joint
2. Pain is severe in first 4-12 hours and gets worsens at night
3. Skin may appear red or shiny( harder to see on darker tones)
4. Difficulty in movement of the affected joint
5. Chill,fever,generalised weakness
6. Unbearable pain in early morning
7. Abnormal complexion
8. Pain is very severe as the person becomes unable to wear socks and shoes

Diagnosis

1. Blood Test-to test the blood uric acid levels.Usually people with high uric acid level do not have gout.
2. Imaging tests like Ultrasound or CT Scan also detect Gout.
3. X ray to rule out if there is any injury.
4. Urine test
5. Creatinine Test

Ayurvedic Overview

We can correlate Gout with Vatarakta in Ayurveda.Vata is the air and Rakta is the blood These are mainly three doshas - Vata , Pitta and Kapha. In Vatarakta, these doshas are vitiated and get combined with the impure Rakta (blood) and spread all over the body and cause inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints. The doshas are aggravated due to the intake of food that are salty, pungent, alkaline, fatty, hot, horse gram, buttermilk, sugarcane, curd, sesame paste, black gram, vinegars,etc. Also aggravated by eating food during indigestion, anger, sleeping in day time or not doing any physical work. Due to these, Vatarakta (Gout) is aggravated and it sits in hands, feet, fingers and joints at first and then spreads all over the body. Due to obstruction in joints , it gets combined with pitta dosha and causes pain in joints which is intolerant.

Symptoms of Vatarakta

1. Sh vayathu-Oedema( accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues of the body)
2. Stabdha- stiffness
3. Kathina-hardness
4. Antar bhrushna arti- Unbearable pain in the body
5. Shyava tamra tvak-skin colour of affected joint changes to brownish black,red or copper
6. Sphurana-hurting sensation
7. Aakunchana-contraction of the bones

Management

1. Leech Therapy (Jaloka) helps to expel out the vitiated blood from the body.
2. Basti karma is prescribed as one of the best Treatments of imbalanced Vatarakta. Basti karma is a procedure in which medicines are administered through rectum or genitourinary tract using Basti yantra.
3. Virechana is also advised with the soft ingredients like milk and castor oil
4. Pinda Taila is the best method to treat Vatarakta (Gout)
5. Triphala-It is an herbal treatment that consists of three fruits Amalaki,Vibhitaki and Haritaki.It is an antiinflammatory drug so it can reduce the inflammation associated with gout.
6. Giloy-Its juice is very beneficial in the treatment of gout as it has anti inflammatory properties.

Herbal Remedies for Gout by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides the 100% pure, organic herbal supplements that are formulated by MD Ayurveda experts and are globally certified for exports.Planet Ayurveda deals with treating the patients by providing the best combinations of effective herbal remedies.For disease like Gouty Arthritis , we provide the ayurvedic formulation like Gout Care Pack that is 100% pure ,chemical free and vegetarian which treats the disease without causing any side effects and chemicals or additives involved.

Products Description

1. Giloy Capsules

These capsules formulations are prepared using standardised extract of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and used as they have anti-inflammatory properties. Its capsules are used to relieve pain and are very effective in preventing fever. Apart from this Giloy is really very beneficial in increasing the disease fighting capacity of the body.

Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily, after meals, with warm water.

2. Kaishore Guggul

These tablets are the most effective formulation for gout. The herbal ingredients are Amalaki ( Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula), Guggul resin ( Commiphora mukul), Ginger ( Zingiber officinale), Black pepper ( Piper nigrum), Long piper ( Piper longum), Vidanga ( Embelia ribes), Red physic nut ( Baliospermum montanum ) and Indian jalap ( Ipomoea turpethum) helps in removing inflammation and pain associated with gout. This tablet also includes Triphala which helps in curing all metabolic disorders and also helps in removing chemicals from the body.

Dosage - 2 tablets daily after meals with warm water.

3. Navkarshik Chu a

It contains many ayurvedic herbs like Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Vacha(Acorus calamus), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata). These herbs are very effective in reducing inflammation, pain and swelling. It Also helps in removing excess uric acid from the body and also improves the immunity of the body. It also helps in correcting the metabolism of the body. It is free from any chemical.

Dosage- 1 teaspoonful twice daily , after meals , with warm water.

4. Puna ava Capsules

These capsules prepared using standardised extract of Puna ava (Boerhavia diffusa) are also very effective in removing gout from the body as these help in reducing the uric acid level. These capsules have anti inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties. This also helps in reducing swelling and the toxins from the body.

Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily, after meals , with warm water.

5. Dashmularisht

It is a herbal fermented syrup prepared with ingredients like Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), Sonapatha (Oroxylum Indicum), Gambhari (Gmelina arborea) and other herbs of Dashamoola (classification of herbs consists of roots of 10 herbs). It helps in pacifying the aggravated Vata dosha which is the main reason of gout, thus helps in the management of gout.

Dosage- 2 teaspoons twice daily with equal amounts of water after meals.

Conclusion

Gout is a painful , inflamed and stiff joint problem in which the lifestyle of the individual gets disturbed. The person can not even sleep properly which leads to fatigue, stress and mentally disturbed which disturbs the overall lifestyle of a person.The pain is severe and the person becomes unable to even walk properly and do household work. Gout leads to permanent disability which affects the person physically, mentally and socially. Gout is considered as a serious condition if it is not treated because it leads to osteoporosis. Gout can also be the reason for many other diseases like kidney stones,joint damage and serious kidney damage.If Gout is not treated properly, it will lead to the symptoms like inflammation,stiffness and unbearable pain.