Gout

Ayurvedic Treatment For Gout

The term “Gout” is a derivation from the Latin word “gutta” which means “a drop” indicating the large lump of urate crystals or deposits. Gout has caused suffering in countless humans since the days of Hippocrates or even before and therefore is often studied by physicians.

Incidence of Gout

Gout is a unique type of arthritis that causes severe pain and swelling in almost all the joints but it most commonly affects the big toe (approx 75 % of first attacks). It may also affect the heel, ankle, wrist, or elbow. Gout usually appears suddenly and stays for around 5-10 days and can keep on recurring. It is different from all other types of arthritis because it occurs when there are high levels of uric acid circulating in the blood, which can cause urate crystals to settle in the tissues of the joints. Gout is more common in overweight people and the risk of developing the disorder increases with higher body weights.

Causative factors of Gout

In the present era, rapid modernization in developing countries like India has given rise to an increase in the number of joint disorders because of the culture of fast food, sedentary changes in lifestyle, etc.

Diet, lifestyle, and environment are multiple causes that cause derangement of function within the body thus resulting in a disease manifesting gradually. In the initial stage, there may be the absence of the symptoms but in the later stage, there may be complex manifestations involving more than one joint.

Excess consumption of salty food, sour food, pungent food, alkaline food, unctuous or oily food, hot food, consumption of food in presence of indigestion, moist food, dry foods, the meat of aquatic animals, the meat of animals living in marshy areas, radish, horse gram, flat beans, green leafy vegetables, dry meat, curds, buttermilk, mutually incompatible food, excessive intake of food, anger, a regular habit of the day sleeping, a regular habit of night awakening, wrong choices of food, erratic lifestyle practices, and obesity are the causative factors of Vatarakta.

Mechanism of gout Arthritis

In the human body and components of DNA, Purine is one of the nitrogen bases. The enzyme Xanthine Oxidase converts this purine and uric acid, which is usually eliminated through urination daily. Due to improper metabolism or reduced renal function, there is excessive deposition of uric acid in the body will lead to gouty arthritis. Intake of food rich in purine food and alcohol, suffering from obesity, and hypertension with a positive family history are some of the reasons for improper metabolism.

Vatarakta (Gout) is a disorder that disturbs the day-to-day life of patients where pain is a predominant symptom. Vatarakta is caused by vitiation of Vata(air and space) and Rakta (Blood). Aggravated Vata is blocked by vitiated Rakta, which further leads to an aggravation of Vata. This aggravated Vata in turn vitiates the Rakta leading to a condition called Vatarakta. The vitiated Rakta gravitates and finally accumulates in the feet. In the initial stage, the hands and feet are usually affected. The illness then further spreads all over the body just like rat poison. Due to the nature of fluidity, mobility, and subtle nature of Vata and Rakta, it moves all over the body. While moving through the blood vessels, they get obstructed in the joints which further aggravates leading the morbid matter to get lodged.

Symptoms of Gout

Gout presents with sudden, unexpected, excruciating pain along with burning, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness in the joint. Low-grade fever may also be present. There are usually two sources of pain. Whenever the affected area is moved, the crystals inside the joint cause intense pain, and the inflammation of the tissues around the joint also causes the skin to get swollen, tender, and sore if it is even slightly touched.

Types of Gout according to Ayurveda

Acharya Charka describes it to be of two types i.e Uttana (superficial) or Gambhira (deep-seated).

Uttana Vatarakta presents with itching, burning, ache, pain on extension, pricking pain, throbbing pain, and contraction and is associated with brownish black, red, or coppery discoloration of Skin.

Gambhira Vatarakta presents with oedema, stiffness, hardness, excruciating pain in the interior of the body, blackish brown, coppery discolouration of the skin, burning sensation, pricking pain, twitching sensation, and suppuration of joints.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Gout

In Ayurveda a detailed description of Vatarakta chikitsa is discussed in all texts along with lines of treatment, being Shodhana (internal purification), Shaman (palliative medicine), and Bahyachikitsa (external treatments on the body). which is a very effective treatment and is eventually the need of the hour.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic focuses on the classical Ayurveda treatments of Vatarakta like Raktamokshana (bloodletting), Snehana (oleation) followed by Virechana (induced purgation), Basti (medicated enemas), and rejuvenating therapies.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic also focuses on external treatment like Dhara (pouring of medicated oil or decoction on affected part), external paste application, herbal oil massage, avagahana (dipping of afflicted part in medicated liquid), and poultice.