Gout is a rheumatic disease, characterized by acute attacks of
arthritis, usually in the great toe of the foot. It sometimes leads to
deformity and chronic arthritis. Men are affected more than woman. 90%
of gout sufferers are men over thirty years. There are more than two
millions gout sufferers in the United States of America. In 2002, World
Health Organization published
Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.
In this book, World Health Organization supported using
acupuncture and
cupping for the treatment of gout. The reviewed trial stated that: "
Plum-blossom needling together with
cupping has been recommended for
treating gouty arthritis"(1).
Symptoms of Gout
Gout is an
inflammatory condition. The inflammation is usually in one joint. An
increase in blood uric acid is usually present due to a metabolic
disorder. Acute gouty arthritis happens suddenly. Excess alcohol, some
infections, drugs and surgical operations may increase blood uric acid
and lead to acute gouty arthritis. The most affected joint is the joint
of great toe, but it may affect other joints such as the knee, feet and
ankles. The affected joint is very painful, swollen, red and warm. Fever
is usually present. After the attack, the patient may be asymptomatic
for years. Later, gout may become a chronic disease with a serious
disability and deformity.
Gout treatment
Bed rest is very
helpful in the treatment of an acute attack. Hot and cold compressors
may be helpful for some patients. Avoiding excess alcohol consumption,
restriction of high purine foods like meat, kidney, sardines and liver,
and avoiding drugs which increase blood uric acid such as diuretics are
recommended.
Nutrition
Eating a well balanced diet is very
important. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain
foods is recommended. Cherries are recommended for gout
sufferers as some studies show that eating cherries may help in
decreasing the uric acid level. Eating vitamin C-enriched foods such as
oranges and guava is helpful. Drinking plenty of pure water is a helpful
way to excrete uric acid. Drinking coffee decreases uric acid level in
blood, but its benefits for gout sufferers are not yet proved.
Other alternative medicine therapies
Relaxation
techniques and hypnotherapy are helpful in decreasing pain. Yoga and
breathing exercises help restore body balance.
Acupuncture and
cupping
therapy are recommended therapies
to decrease and eliminate pain. Prayer is a very helpful assistant.
Please, before you begin any alternative medicine therapy, consult your
doctor.
1-Pan HL. (Observation of 39 cases of gout treated with
plum-blossom needling plus cupping) Zhenjiu Linchuang Zazhi, 1997,
13(3):29(in Chinese)
2-Mayo clinic (Gout) - (
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/ds00090)
3-Medline plus (Gout) - (
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gout.html)
4-NHS (Gout) - (
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Gout/Pages/Introduction.aspx)
5-Acupuncture: review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials- World Health Organization- ISBN: 9241545437-2002
Dr Tamer Shaban
The World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 was developed and
published in response to the World Health Assembly resolution on
traditional medicine (WHA62.13). The strategy targets to help Member
States in developing proactive policies and implementing action plans
which will increase the role traditional and complementary medicine plays in keeping
populations healthy.
