What is Gout?

Gout, also called ‘Gouty arthritis’ is a painful kind of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the body. It’s a very common disease in men between the ages of 40 and 60. Most often the pain is in the big toe as well as in the ankles, the knees, calf muscles, feet, wrists, and elbows. Sometimes, the pain is so intense that even the touch of a linen bed sheet on the toe is unbearably painful. Usually, gout affects a single joint but severe gout can affect multiple joints. This is called poly-articular gout. Thousands of people suffer from this incurable disease. However, there are physiotherapy clinics in Kolkata that can take care of the pain.

What Causes Gout?

When the uric acid level in the blood increases, it leads to gout. There are two sources of uric acid in the body – our body and the food we eat. Foods like tomato, mustard, beans, peas, etc. are rich i uric acid. Usually, excess uric acid in the body gets filtered in the kidneys and is flushed out with urine. If this does not happen, crystals of monosodium urate form in the joints and tissues. These crystals cause severe pain. Consumption of too much alcohol is another reason for an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood and can have painful consequences. The other causes of gout include:

• Stress
• Daily consumption of meat and seafood
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Kidney problems or kidney stone
• Certain antibiotics
• Congenital
• Heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

What Are the Symptoms of Gout?

• Severe pain in joints, especially during the night
• Pain in a single joint for a few weeks that spreads to other joints
• Inflammation in the joints
• Joint redness
• Leg cramps or joint stiffness
• Inability to carry heavy things
• Tenderness
• Weakness in fingers

Physiotherapy for Gout

The level of uric acid in the blood can be revealed by blood tests. Other than that, ultrasounds and X-rays can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Physiotherapy may benefit you with regular exercise and massage. Physiotherapy increases the flow of blood and relaxes the muscles in the area of gout and can alleviate intense pain. Other things that may help keep pain from gout at bay are:

• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Massage
• Endurance exercises
• Cardio exercises
• Diet prescribed by a physician
• Improves mobility
• Muscle massage
• Change in diet
• Weight reduction
• Reduce the risk of cholesterol
• Improves mental condition
• Reduces the risk of diabetes
• Medication to reduce the level of uric acid in the blood
• Improves blood circulation

Physiotherapy is the best way to treat gout because medicines are only a temporary fix. The pain usually returns after a few days. But physiotherapy massage and exercises help deal with the problem in a more natural way. TriBeCa Care has its own physiotherapy clinic in Kolkata.

We, at TriBeCa Care, care about you, and your family. Our Elder Care is categorically structured to provide the elderly with the support that they deserve. If you have any further queries then feel free to reach us. Call us at + 913366064208 or request a callback. Email us at enquiry@tribecacare.com