What is Gout?     

If you have ever awakened at 2 AM with a sharp pain in your big toe, then you may have experienced an attack of gout.  It typically affects people between 40 and 50 years of age and 90% of gout cases occur in men.  When it does occur in women, it typically affects those that are post-menopausal.

It is important to know that other conditions can mimic the symptoms of gout.  Joint infections and rheumatoid arthritis can be confused with gout.  The pain usually occurs in the lower legs and most frequently involves the first joint of the big toe. The symptoms are usually felt at night.  

Gout is sometimes called a 'rich man’s disease' before because it is related to a diet that including meat and dairy products.  An excess consumption of plant and animal proteins produces a chemical called urea.   The joint pain results from an accumulation of urate crystals that forms from this urea.  Gout is a disorder of purine (a type of protein building block) metabolism.  This excess urea can also result in kidney stones. These stones may be composed of either uric acid or calcium.  Alcohol, diet, surgery and trauma are some of the suspected triggers.

How is gout treated in TCM?

In TCM, gout in considered a type of 'Bi Syndrome,' which means 'painful obstruction,' and uric acid is regarded as a 'turbid dampness.'  In its acute/onset stage, the main symptoms are red, painful, swollen joints, which makes it a kind of 'damp-heat' syndrome. In its chronic stage, gout is considered to be caused by blood stasis. As a result, different treatments are needed for each stage.

Typically, to treat the acute gout, TCM practitioners will prescribe herbs that are cool in nature to clear the damp-heat and stop the pain; while in the stable/chronic stage, herbs to invigorate the blood are commonly used.

Acupuncture definitely helps to treat gout, not only to stop the pain, but also to relieve the symptoms.  The patient can feel the difference even just after the needles have been removed. Other exercises such as yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are beneficial, too.

How should you modify your diet if you have gout?

To prevent the onset of the gout, the following food should be avoided because it causes damp-heat.

·     Spicy food

·     Coffee

·     Deep fried food

·     Alcohol

·     Organ meats such as liver, kidneys, tripe, and tongue

·     Excessive amounts of red meat

·     Seafood like mackerel, anchovies, herring, sardines, shellfish, fish roe and scallops.

·     Vegetables like spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, peas, lentils, beans and peanuts.  They contain purines that contribute to uric acid production. 

·     Weight loss may be very important for overweight individuals. Be careful though as rapid weight loss can contribute to a gout attack.

What kind of foods can prevent gout?

Celery, cucumber, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, eggplant, potato, squash, red beans, radish, tomato, pear, apple, grape, corn is recommended.