Acute joint pain, redness of the skin on the fingers and toes, swelling - the first signs of gout. This disease occurs as a result of metabolic disorders and an increase in the amount of uric acid in the blood. The increased acidity of the plasma contributes to the formation of sharp crystals of sodium salt (urate) in the joints. They cause severe pain and decreased motor activity.
Prevention of gout avoids acute inflammatory processes. And in what cases it should be carried out, what causes gout and how to prevent its occurrence, we described in our article.
How does the disease occur?
Uric acid is excreted through the kidneys and intestines. Most of it comes out with urine. With the proper functioning of the body, the level of uric acid in the plasma does not exceed the permissible norms of 6.8 ml / dl. However, failures occur, as a result of which the liver produces too much uric acid, or the body excretes it in insufficient quantities.
If the content of this element exceeds the mark of 7 ml / dl, then acute salt crystals begin to form in the tissues, causing sharp pain and inflammation.
If the disease is not detected in time, salt formations begin to grow. In such cases, doctors diagnose gout. Prevention of this disease is aimed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
You can suspect a disease by the following signs:
- joint pain, which does not subside even in a calm state;
- swelling and fever in the inflamed area;
- severe pain with a light touch on the affected area.
In most cases, the disease manifests itself in the joints of the toes. The pain occurs at night, in the morning a person is practically unable to move freely. In such a situation, an urgent consultation with a therapist is required, who will prescribe treatment and explain what causes gout on the legs.
What contributes to the onset of the disease?
Deposition of salts in the joints is a fairly common pathology. In most cases, it occurs in people with prerequisites for this disease. If you are at risk, take the time to take preventative measures.
So, the main causes of gout are as follows:
- hereditary predisposition;
- overweight or sedentary lifestyle;
- the presence of kidney diseases that contribute to impaired removal of salts from the body;
- alcohol abuse;
- frequent hypothermia or overheating of the joints;
- taking diuretics;
- the presence of tumor diseases.
The use of large amounts of food with a high uric acid content provokes pathology. These include: strong teas, products with cocoa beans, red meats, legumes, fatty foods and some varieties of fish.
The likelihood of developing an ailment depending on age and gender
The main signs and treatment of gout in men do not differ from the manifestations and treatment of the disease in women, however, the stronger sex is more prone to the occurrence of an ailment.
This is due to the fact that during puberty in men, the indicator of uric acid in the body rises sharply. Studies by American experts have shown that during this period in 8% of the male population the amount of acid in the blood exceeds the permissible mark of 6.8 ml / dl.
The first signs of gout, most men notice at the age of 40 years. Experts explain this by the frequent use of alcohol, overweight and high blood pressure.
At an advanced age, the disease develops as a result of a malfunction in the kidneys. In women under 50 years of age, gout is extremely rarely diagnosed. Doctors attribute this to the hormone estrogen, which helps remove uric acid from the body.
During menopause, the activity of this hormone fades, which causes gout in women. At the age of 70-80 years among the weaker sex, the frequency of the disease exceeds the rates of men.
Possible complications of gout
If, upon detection of symptoms of the disease, treatment is not started, the patient's condition will gradually worsen. Running processes can cause serious complications and cause more complex diseases. For instance:
- the appearance of kidney stones;
- atherosclerosis;
- joint destruction;
- extinction of motor function.
When the first signs of gout appear, treatment in men and women begins with a dietary restriction. Patients are advised to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a certain diet.
If treatment is not started, the intervals between exacerbations will be less and the duration of seizures longer. The stones formed in the kidneys interfere with the functioning of the filtering organ, which causes intoxication of the body. Especially neglected processes can be fatal.
What is prevention?
If for some reason you are more likely to develop gout, pay attention to your lifestyle. Focus on nutrition first. Follow these guidelines:
- Eat at the same time. Avoid starvation and overeating. Eat in small portions 4-5 times a day.
- Watch your weight. Extra pounds increase the load on the joints, cause hypertension. However, the weight should be dropped gradually.
- Exclude alcohol. Prevention of gout in men implies a complete rejection of alcohol. In a pinch, keep its intake to a minimum.
- Stick to a plentiful drinking regimen. If there is no malfunction in the kidneys, drink 2-2.5 liters of water per day. Give preference to mineral water, since alkali perfectly removes acid and salts from the body.
- Every week, arrange yourself fasting days. During this period, eat only vegetables and fruits.
The above recommendations not only prevent the onset of gout, but also eliminate the ailment at the first sign of its manifestation. Pay particular attention to products. Eliminate high purine foods from your diet.
What foods cause gout?
If seizures occur (and for prevention), completely discard animal products. They are rich in proteins that promote the formation of uric acid. The allowable amount is 1 gram of protein per 1 kilogram of a person’s weight.
Limitations apply to salt. If you are at risk, try to stop using it.
During gout prophylaxis and when its first symptoms occur, the following foods are excluded from nutrition:
- meat;
- sausages;
- offal;
- canned food;
- smoked meats;
- legumes;
- mushrooms;
- fatty cheeses;
- spices;
- grapes;
- lingonberry;
- chocolate;
- strong tea and coffee.
After the first attack of pain, completely abandon fatty foods, rich broths, soups with spinach and sorrel. Dishes with pickles and sauerkraut are also not recommended.
Oat decoctions, freshly squeezed lemon juice, green tea and alkaline water will be useful. From solid foods, liquid cereals, weak broths, baked vegetables and fruits are recommended.
Can drugs prevent disease progression?
Prevention of gout with medications is aimed at treating and eliminating the causes of crystals in the joints. If the problem is in the kidneys, the doctor prescribes the appropriate therapy. To prevent a hereditary disease, drugs are not used.
However, with the onset of the first symptoms of an ailment, drug treatment is important. First of all, anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs are prescribed:
- Diclofenac.
- Naproxen.
- Indomethacin.
- Nimesulide.
- "Butadion.
In order to reduce the concentration of uric acid in plasma, the following are prescribed:
- "Hepatocatosal."
- Orotic acid.
- Allopurinol.
Drug treatment can be supplemented with folk remedies, which are also well suited for the prevention of the disease.
Prevention and treatment of folk remedies
Since medications can also have a negative effect on the body, prevention is best carried out using traditional medicine. For example, with the help of cherry berries. Their daily use contributes to the removal of salts from the body and reduces the burden on the kidneys.
Prevention of gout with folk remedies can be carried out with the help of apples. This fruit can be consumed in any form: fresh, baked, in the form of infusion.
In the summer you can drink a decoction. To prepare it, boil the right amount of water, throw in it chopped and peeled apples. After 10 minutes, remove the broth from the heat, cover and let it brew. Drink an apple drink instead of tea all day long.
Daily baths with chamomile infusion are an excellent tool for the prevention of gout on the legs. Preparing them is very simple: add 10 grams of dried flowers to 10 liters of hot water. To enhance the effect, you can pour 200 grams of sodium chloride into the water.
Effectively combat the deposition of salts is possible with the help of a series of. It should be brewed and drunk in a warm form instead of tea. The number of receptions is not limited, therefore this recipe is used both for the treatment of the initial stage of the disease and for prevention.
At the first signs of gout, traditional healers recommend taking tea from lingonberry leaves. It is prepared from a glass of boiling water and two tablespoons of chopped plants. The broth is infused for half an hour and is taken three times a day.
Sports - excellent prevention of salt deposits on the joints
Exercise helps maintain joint mobility and shape. Regular exercise is considered the best prevention of gout. With an increase in uric acid levels, experts recommend practicing the following sports:
- swimming;
- Walking
- Athletics;
- a ride on the bicycle.
During classes, it should be remembered that the joints are very prone to injury, so the intensity of the exercises increases gradually. Drink plenty of water during exercise, as dehydration affects the functioning of the kidneys and increases uric acid levels. The mineral waters Borjomi and Luzhanskaya are considered especially useful.
Pay special attention to what shoes to wear for gout and for its prevention. During classes and in the process of everyday activities, wear only comfortable and soft options. Close hard leather shoes completely. It compresses blood vessels, disrupts blood circulation and helps retain salts on the joints of the fingers.
At home, wear soft slippers or walk barefoot. If during the day you had to stand on your feet a lot, before going to bed, make a relaxing bath from a decoction of chamomile. It will help relieve fatigue and restore blood circulation.
Exercise Prevention
To prevent salt deposits on the joints of the toes, perform a set of simple exercises daily. They are made as follows:
- Sit on a chair and begin to stretch your leg forward in turn. Pull the heel first, then the toe. Exercise slowly, try to achieve maximum ankle tension.
- Stand straight, spread your legs shoulder-width apart. Start turning your feet around your axis at the same time. First, take your socks in different directions, then - move them to each other.
- Stand straight, put your feet in parallel. At the expense of "one" slowly rise to the toes, at the expense of the "two" slowly lower to the heels. In the first lesson, do 10 climbs. Increase the total number by 2 every day.
Supplement exercise with regular foot massage. It will improve blood circulation and prevent the accumulation of salts in the joints.
The frequency of exercise and its frequency depends on your lifestyle and health status. If you feel good, do preventative movements every day.
Stress - the optimal condition for the development of the disease
Modern medicine connects the development of gout with the emotional state of a person. It is scientifically proven that, with the slightest anxiety, uric acid begins to be produced intensively in the body. Moreover, stress can occur not only from nervous shocks, but also from banal hunger.
Taking antibiotics can also trigger gout. These drugs kill gut bacteria that help remove acid from the body. This is also a kind of stress leading to the development of gout.
conclusions
From all that has been said, it should be concluded that gout is a disease of people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not monitor their nutrition. To reduce the likelihood of developing this pathology is quite simple. You need to monitor your diet and do sports or gymnastics.
If the increase in uric acid level is associated with malfunctions in the body, timely treatment will be an excellent prevention of gout. The main thing is to remember that it is much easier to prevent and cure an ailment at the initial stage than to fight a progressive disease.