The author has gout, and has had for
more than 30 years. The author’s wife, brother and several
first cousins have Type II diabetes. One sister and one first
cousin had Type I diabetes, and both died of the complications
of diabetes.
Overview of Gout
Gout
is a systemic disease caused by the buildup of uric acid in
the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. This
condition can develop for two reasons. The liver may produce
more uric acid than the body can excrete in the urine, or a
diet of rich foods (e.g., red meat, cream sauces, red wine)
puts more uric acid into the bloodstream than the kidneys can
filter. In both cases, a condition called hyperuricemia
results. Over time, the uric acid crystallizes and settles in
the joint spaces, most commonly in the first metatarsal
phalangeal joint of the big toe or in the ankle joint.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of gout are inflammation, swelling,
and tenderness in the joint of the first toe. Touching or
moving it is intensely painful and patients often say it hurts
to have as much as a bedsheet over the toe. Gout develops
quickly and typically occurs in only one joint at a time.
Symptoms may develop in two or three joints simultaneously,
but this is rare. If widespread symptoms occur, the condition
is probably not gout.
Diagnosis
The most reliable way to diagnose gout is to examine the joint
fluid for uric acid crystals. This is done by drawing fluid
from the joint with a needle and examining it under a
polarized light microscope. Although the test is invasive, the
results are definitive, and a positive result facilitates
proper treatment and quick relief.
Treatment
Treatment for gout involves decreasing the amount of uric acid
in the joint. If dietary habits are the cause, the patient's
lifestyle must be changed to avoid the condition. Gout is
readily corrected with patient cooperation, and it is usually
not treated unless it occurs frequently. Colchicine is
a common medication for treating acute gout attacks. If
continuous medication is necessary, the two most common
choices are probenecid and allopurinol.
Alcohol and rich foods are primary contributors to excessive
uric acid levels. Although some patients have a genetic
predisposition to excessive uric acid production, most gout
patients have normal kidneys and uncontrolled dietary habits.
Prevention is the best defense against the disease.
Many patients who suffer from gout continue to indulge, and
suffer frequent attacks as a result. Although medication makes
it possible to live with gout, the continued accumulation of
uric acid in the joints eventually damages them, seriously
inhibiting movement.
A key to diabetes management is maintaining a regular exercise
program. It's never too late to start. Sticking to dietary goals
while eating out can be very challenging.
Overview of Diabetes
17 million Americans have diabetes. Nearly 6 million don't know
it.
What you may not know about diabetes: the truth about insulin resistance
New to diabetes? Learn the basics.
Nearly 90 to 95% of all people with diabetes have type 2
diabetes.
Who gets it?
92% of people with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly, and the symptoms
often go unnoticed. Could you be type 2?
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes. How much
overweight are you? Surprise! Surprise! Underweight is an
equally major risk factor for diabetes. How much underweight
are you?
Diabetic meals can be healthy and savory. Email
us for several delicious recipes.
A key to diabetes management is maintaining a regular exercise
program. It's never too late to start and the results and
benefits cannot be overemphasized.
Sticking to dietary goals while eating out can be very
challenging. Take control of your nutrition and learn to avoid
borderline and dangerous foods and eating practices.
The help of friends and family can make all the difference for
someone with diabetes.
When it comes to diabetic nutrition, not sure what to believe?
Have unanswered questions about your diabetes: Click
for additional information plus answers to all the above
questions.
I have long-term gout (first diagnosed in 1977, so severe that
it required immediate medication which continued for 3 years,
plus major dietary adjustment), damage from
gout including numbness and pain in the feet, a prostate which
had ceased functioning for the past 2 years, in Jan 2004 I was
diagnosed with a lazy thyroid. By the end of January my
thyroid was functioning normally, by April I was noticing an
improvement in prostate functioning and by mid-May it was
definitely clear that not only was the pain gone but feeling
was coming back into my feet. This was written in June 04 and
its all still getting better. A footnote here: By late October
2004 my thyroid was diagnosed as “a dead thyroid”. As of
now, February 2005, I am beginning to use
Native’s Gift once
again and expect to see an improvement when I see my doctor
the end of this month.
With the lower energy from my dead thyroid I was taking an
herbal dietary supplement, Desert
Promise, which increases my energy level. It is comprised
of 18 herbs plus honey and my energy level seems perfectly
normal. So much so that if I take too much I begin losing
sleep but not getting tired.
My wife has had diabetes for 5 years, has been taking
Native’s Gift, an herbal dietary supplement, composed of
the essence of four herbs, for nearly two years, and with every checkup
she has her diabetic condition is improving, even though she
is barely taking any action to do more than “maintain” her
health.
Check out these products and see if there is something here
for you. They are all “Native and Natural” products,
manufactured under strict quality control and the most
sanitary conditions possible. In the case of Bio88Plus,
a Greens product, it
is manufactured in a government controlled laboratory.
Email the author for additional information, including testimonials,
on the above products.
Also, make sure to read the second diabetes information
article in this resource, Additional
Diabetes Information, as well as emailing the author for
additional resources.
Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as
“medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action,
nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing
any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure
for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a
source of information upon which you may base your decision as
to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral
and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a
“greens” product as a dietary supplement.
If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your
physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a
possible different opinion. The author does not bear any
responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your
actions based upon those decisions.
