Know the Ayurvedic remedy for uric acid and Ayurvedic remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain. Learn how to cure uric acid naturally at home. There is a difference between uric acid and rheumatoid arthritis, but affects the same body parts.
Gout
Gout, also known as Gouty Arthritis is caused by the deposition of high levels of uric acid in the blood. The crystallized uric acid deposit in joints, tendons, and surrounding membranes and tissues which causes severe pain and inflammation. It must be noted that Gout first affects the toe and then it spreads to the other body joints, such as ankles, knees, wrist and elbow.
Gout occurs whenever there is too much deposition of uric acid in the blood. In normal circumstances, Uric acid is normally expelled via the urine.
The common symptoms of Gout are swelling in joints with severe pain and redness. Common human body areas which are easily affected by Gout are body joints, ankle, foot, knee and toe. It is also seen that men are more prone to Gout.
Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include:
Some of the major reasons for Gout are failure in kidney function, obesity or excessive weight gain, eating excess meat and seafood, heavy alcohol intake and high blood pressure.
- Food or Diet: Eating too much of meat, seafood and consuming soda or carbonated beverages, alcohol.
- Obesity: Human body which is overweight produces more uric acid (than the normal weight body) and due to this excessive production of uric acid, kidneys couldn’t eliminate all of them (uric acid).
- Medical History: Human body with prolonged medical conditions increases the risk of Gout.
- Family History of Gout: If any of your ancestors have had Gout, it is more likely to pass away to next generation kids.
Gout in Ayurveda
Gout is described as Vata Rakta (Vatarakta) or Aadya Vata in Ayurveda. Pitta Dosha, Vata Dosha and Rakta Dhatu causes Vatarakta. In simple words, the presence of Vata Dosha affects blood tissues (known as Raktdhatu) and can cause Gout.
The base reason for Gout in Ayurveda is an increased intake of salty, sour or spicy foods with high alkaline proportions.
Vatarakta is classified into 2 types.
- Uttana (Moderate): Affects twak (skin) and mamsa (muscle).
- Gambhira (Severe): Most severe in nature. Affects all the major body joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or AmaVata
In Ayurveda, AmaVata is described as a disease associated with Vata Dosha and accumulation of Ama (mal digested product) in joints. The accumulation of Ama in the body joints and body tissue leads to swelling, pain and stiffness.
It must also be noted that Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is similar to Amavata (an Ayurvedic disease of the human body joints).
Also, both the diseases cause pain, swelling, and affect the joints. But, RA is an autoimmune disease, which means RA occurs when the body immune system responds abnormally. Gout is due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.
The cause of Vatarakta is an excessive intake of the food of the following nature:
- Lavana (salty)
- Amla (Sour)
- Katu (Pungent)
- Tikta (Bitter)
- Kshara (Alkaline)
- Snigdha (Oily)
- Ushna (Hot)
Apart from these, an intake of incompatible foods (like fish with milk or milk products), drinking heavy dose of alcohol, an excess of daytime sleep or staying late night awake are some causes of Gout.
Not popular, but some believe that overindulgence of physical exercises and excessive sexual activity can also lead to Gout.
Food Habits for Gout
Low-uric acid and Low oxalate forming foods (fruits, vegetables and beverages) is must for people suffering from Gout. Such people should also stop consuming meat or seafood and they should also stop consumption of any kind of alcoholic beverages.
Foods and drinks which are high in purines should be avoided.
- All kinds of alcoholic drinks, beer, vodka and whiskey.
- Meat, especially red meat, lamb, fish and pork.
- All kinds of organ meats, such as liver and kidneys.
- Seafood, especially river fish, shrimp, prawns, crabs, lobster, and sardines
- Carbonated drinks and high-fructose drinks, such as soda and fast food drinks.
In general. foods which have high fiber and low protein should be consumed daily. Sour, salty, spicy and fried foods should be avoided.
Herbs which are useful in the treatment of Gout include Shallaki (Boswelia Serrata), Lashun (Garlic), Guggul (Commiphora Mukul), Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia), Turmeric, Sunthi (Ginger) and Kumari (Aloe vera). Triphala, Giloy, Neem and Bitter Gourd should be consumed on a daily basis.
One must also make necessary lifestyle changes. Abhyanga is highly beneficial and Forward Bend Yoga Asana and Lotus Yoga Asana are effective in treating gout.