Sudden, intense joint pain, swelling, and redness, particularly in your big toe - that’s gout for you. If we were to put it in simple words, it is defined as a form of arthritis that happens when too much uric acid gets accumulated in the body which then crystallizes into sharp particles and causes irritation.
Are you thinking how to get relief from this painful condition? The solution lies in Ayurveda. This ancient system of medicine with its holistic approach sees gout as a result of an imbalance in the body's internal energies, particularly the Vata and Pitta doshas.
Because the symptoms of gout can be very mild so it can be sometimes overlooked in its early stages. That’s why it's crucial to watch out for these common signs:
Intense pain: Sharp, excruciating pain in the affected joint is perhaps the most early indication. Though it can sometimes affect other joints including the ankles, knees, or elbows, it usually starts in the big toe. This pain usually triggers at night and can be so intense that it hurts even when a blanket is touched lightly.
Redness and swelling: Your affected joint may turn red, warm to the touch, and swell. Also, when uric acid levels are high in the body the immune system reacts, causing inflammation.
Joint tightness: Because of the stiffness and discomfort, movement in the affected area becomes more challenging, almost interfering with your daily tasks.
As gout progresses the symptoms might deteriorate and gradually result in more intense problems. Among the more severe symptoms are:
Chronic joint pain: Despite not experiencing any flare-ups, the pain may become persistent in its latter stages, thus making mobility difficult since the affected joints may continue to be swollen and stiff.
Formation of tophi: Tophis are big, lumpy deposits of crystallized uric acid which can develop in the affected areas or other places like elbows or ears and can cause discomfort and disfigurement.
Reduced mobility: Mobility becomes extremely confined as joint degeneration increases, this means you might find it hard to perform even the most basic activities like walking or climbing stairs.
Kidney stones: Development of kidney stones is perhaps one of the most dangerous complications of gout - leading to real discomfort and even permanent kidney damage in some cases.
Did you know? In its advanced stages Gout can also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and hypertension due to the inflammation and buildup of uric acid in the blood.
Keep in mind these red flag symptoms like excruciating joint pain or abnormal redness or swelling around your joints, to ensure you are able to act while there is still time. Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on cleansing the body and balancing the doshas in order to address the underlying causes of the issue. For personalized advice, speak with an Ayurvedic specialist if you observe these symptoms.
