Bad Brambach
gout treatment
Interesting facts at a glance
gout
Gout is one of the most common metabolic diseases in industrialized countries. Gout occurs due to permanently elevated uric acid levels, known as hyperuricemia. In order to avoid the outbreak of the disease, long-term therapy that lowers uric acid is necessary. In acute gout attacks, the symptoms are alleviated so that the quality of life and life expectancy of healthy people can almost be achieved. Here at the Saxon State Baths you will receive extensive therapy options with radon that will treat your symptoms and significantly improve your state of health.
What is gout?
As soon as the uric acid value is above 6,4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or there is a pH value of 7,4, it is hyperuricemia. The presence of hyperuricemia alone does not constitute a clinical picture. Only when it occurs in conjunction with arthritis urica or tophi is it referred to as gout.
A distinction is made between primary and secondary hyperuricemia, the secondary being gout. Hyperuricemia is particularly common in patients with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity or hypertension, which is why there may be a genetic connection between the two diseases.
With persistent hyperuricemia, too much uric acid builds up in the blood over time, leading to uric acid deposits. The first gout attack usually manifests itself as pain in the big toe. The increased uric acid concentration in the blood causes urate crystals (uric acid crystals) to form, which are deposited in various places in the body such as joints, bursa, tendons or the skin and ear cartilage.
In the long term, this causes joint inflammation and, as a result, joint damage. Another place where deposits can collect is the kidney, which can lead to kidney stones and, in the worst case, kidney damage.
Symptoms of gout
The first attack of gout usually occurs in a single joint. This is then acute gouty arthritis. The joint of the big toe is often affected; However, it can also affect the metatarsal joint, ankle or knee joint. The gout attack begins completely suddenly and is manifested by a sudden stabbing pain in the affected joint. The joint is also very sensitive to touch and hurts when moved.
In addition, there is a doughy swelling and the skin is red or even bluish in color and hot. Fever is often also present. This acute attack can last up to a few days without treatment and can recur if left untreated. Gout is a disease that develops unnoticed over several years and has four stages over its course.
1st phase: asymptomatic hyperuricemia
This first phase of the disease usually goes completely unnoticed because the hyperuricemia does not yet cause any symptoms. This is usually discovered as part of a preventive examination.
2nd phase: acute gout
The second phase of the acute gout attack is extremely painful and occurs suddenly and unexpectedly for the patient in the early hours of the morning. Without treatment, the gout attack will go away on its own after one to two weeks.
3rd phase: time between two attacks
If treatment is not initiated, gout attacks will recur periodically. The phases between the individual attacks are characterized by the patient being completely free of symptoms. Nevertheless, the uric acid level remains elevated during this time and further deposits can occur in the tissue.
4th phase: chronic tophous gout
Chronic gout that has existed for several years leads to the deposition of gout nodules, called tophi, near the joints. Kidney stones also occur during this phase.
Causes of gout
Most sufferers have a congenital tendency to have an elevated uric acid level. However, external factors also occur as triggers. These include various illnesses, taking medication, unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise.
In order for there to be an excess of urine in the blood, a number of unfavorable factors have to come together in addition to the genetic predisposition: Uric acid is created by the breakdown of purines. On the one hand, purines are particularly rich in various foods such as meat and sausage, and on the other hand, they are a component of the body's cells.
They are released normally in the body. An excess only occurs when the food contains too much purine or the body produces too much of its own purine. Another possible cause is that the kidneys do not excrete enough uric acid.
There is often a combination of several factors that then lead to the onset of gout disease. If there is already a genetic predisposition to gout, an attack can be triggered by the unfavorable factors mentioned above.
Foods rich in purines, alcohol consumption or metabolic diseases caused by strict diets can cause a gout attack. Injury, infection or unusual exertion that leads to physical stress can also result in an acute attack.
Treating gout with the natural remedy radon
If you react correctly immediately to the first gout attack, there is a good chance that the disease will be asymptomatic and chronic gout will be avoided. The symptom-free hyperuricemia that then occurs is treated with a low-purine diet and the avoidance of alcohol as much as possible. For more severe forms, drug therapy can also be considered.
In addition, there are numerous recommendations in the form of general measures that promote healing. This includes elevating the affected joint or complete bed rest. Cooling compresses also provide relief. A light, low-purine diet, coupled with sufficient fluid intake, is absolutely essential. The last two points can also be used as a long-term treatment for gout to prevent repeated attacks.
The natural radon healing water from the springs in our Saxon state spas has a soothing effect on a wide range of illnesses, including gout. The radon it contains reduces pain because it releases endorphins. At the same time, it stimulates the body's own defense cells and strengthens the immune system. In addition to radon, the healing water contains hydrogen carbonate, which has an acid-neutralizing effect. In gout, it increases the excretion of uric acid, preventing it from accumulating in the blood. It actively counteracts gout attacks and the formation of urinary stones.
Are you experiencing symptoms of gout?
Radon – The natural remedy helps!
How is the radon drinking treatment used?
If you have gout, you will receive your individually tailored radon medicinal water therapy. The combination of radon, carbon dioxide and various minerals naturally occurring in water is perfect for relieving a variety of ailments. The healing water is drunk and thus develops its positive effects.
During the drinking treatment, the healing water is absorbed particularly effectively via the gastrointestinal tract. For inflammatory joint pain such as gout, it provides relief from the inside out. This can last up to 9 months after treatment.
Radon bath treatment
Drinking cures can be optimally combined with our other treatments: With the radon carbon dioxide full bath, we offer you optimal treatment for gout. You absorb the healing water through your skin and respiratory tract and thus stimulate your self-healing powers. At the same time, pain-relieving substances are released in the brain, which effectively relieve your gout pain.
Diagnosis: gout
First, the exact cause of the hyperuricemia must be determined in order to develop the best possible therapy. First, uric acid metabolism and kidney function are examined. The acute gout attack can be detected by phagocytosed uric acid crystals in the leukocytes. The examination is carried out using the X-ray method, which is used from both sides. Kidney stones are X-ray negative, which means they can only be made visible using a contrast medium.
The symptoms of gout are similar to those of septic arthritis, which can occur after joint punctures or joint injections. This important differential diagnosis must be taken into account. Nevertheless, the symptoms observed in gout are so characteristic that it is usually easy to diagnose. The current uric acid level is determined using a blood test. However, under certain circumstances this can return to normal relatively quickly after the attack. Therefore, repeated uric acid tests are indicated.
Another diagnostic option in unclear cases is a joint puncture to examine the synovial fluid: Here the uric acid crystals can be seen under the microscope. If gout is advanced, joint changes can be seen on x-rays.
The presence of various diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and heart and circulatory diseases also makes the diagnosis easier.
Risk factors of gout
Balanced nutrition
If certain principles are followed, it is possible to live a normal life without restrictions with gout. An important cornerstone is a healthy and balanced diet. In this case, it is particularly important to avoid foods rich in purines, as purines are responsible for the formation of uric acid. The aim of this balanced diet is to ensure that the uric acid level does not exceed six milligrams per deciliter. This means you can permanently avoid medication if necessary.
There are special tables for gout patients that show the uric acid balance of foods, so you can get a precise overview of which foods are helpful. In general, gout patients should not consume more than 500 milligrams of uric acid per day, i.e. a maximum of 3000 milligrams per week.
Meat and various types of fish contain particularly high levels of purines. Offal is the meat with the highest purine content, which is why it's best to avoid it altogether. Foods with a high fat content should also be evaluated critically. When you grill or steam meat, you automatically reduce the fat content.
Good foods if you have a tendency to gout are protein-rich foods such as milk and milk products as well as fruits, vegetables and potatoes. It used to be assumed that certain legumes such as asparagus and spinach also had a negative influence on uric acid levels. However, this has not been confirmed, as researchers in the USA have proven that purines from plant foods do not negatively affect uric acid levels.
Adequate fluid intake
In addition, adequate fluid intake is of utmost importance: two to three liters per day is optimal, unless there is another, parallel diagnosis. In addition to tap water, drinks that come into question include mineral water, tea and coffee.
One of the risk factors for hyperuricemia and gout is obesity, which is why gout treatment should always include gradual weight loss. However, strict diets should be avoided, as this increases the risk of an acute attack. You are more likely to reach your ideal weight in the long term through a healthy, low-fat diet and sufficient exercise. In general, avoid any extremes such as fasting or periods of thirst, as these will all have a detrimental effect on your gout.
Fructose is another substance that, in excess, can trigger gout attacks. The simple sugar has a similarly unfavorable effect on uric acid levels as alcohol. Therefore, soft drinks and fruit juices are not recommended because of their high sugar content. The same applies to muesli bars or fruit yoghurts.
Questions about gout
The most common questions and answers about gout
How can I prevent gout?
Even if there is a hereditary predisposition, the occurrence of gout can be avoided: 90 percent of people with an elevated uric acid level never develop the disease. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and healthy weight to prevent a gout attack.
Other indications can also be considered for radon therapy, which are named as follows:
Which laboratory tests are used to detect gout?
Gout is detected by detecting uric acid crystals in the synovial fluid. If necessary, it can also be checked whether kidney function is already impaired.
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Drinking & bathing therapies with radon
In addition to bath therapy, radon drinking therapy also impresses with effective results. All healing springs that can be found in Bad Brambach contain a variety of minerals and trace elements as well as carbon dioxide and radon.
Package offers in Bad Brambach
Whether as a daily package, short trip or health week, our natural remedies are already perfectly coordinated and put together for you. Use the strongest radon source in the world for your health and thus a better quality of life!
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