Gout Symptoms and Treatment - A Quick How to Guide
If you or a loved one is suffering from gout, the key to dealing with the condition is recognizing symptoms and following through with effective treatment options.
Here's a quick how to guide on exactly what to do.
Step One: Recognizing Gout Symptoms Millions of people suffer from gout, and unfortunately there are millions more who are suffering in silence.
Gout can be particularly frustrating because symptoms aren't consistent; in fact they can be quite intermittent or occasional, especially in early stages.
The first step is recognizing your symptoms.
Since gout is a form of arthritis, you should understand your joints will be affected.
However, this condition is unique because almost 90% of sufferers will notice issues with one or both big toes.
Typically, the big toe becomes swollen and red.
It is usually painful to the touch as well.
Without getting too technical, the swelling is due to a buildup of uric acid crystals which become lodged in your joints.
Step Two: Exploring Treatment Options Once you've begun to experience symptoms, you should explore treatment options.
While it's a good idea to discuss your condition with a doctor, be aware there are some immediate and effective steps to take.
First, examine your diet and lifestyle.
This is extremely important because gout isn't like a headache, for example.
You can't just take a pill and have it go away.
The onset of the condition is almost always due to lifestyle factors, with heredity being a secondary cause.
Diets high in fat and lack of exercise are two of the main causes.
It stands to reason the first steps are to change diet and exercise habits.
You can find excellent diet advice at a good gout resource website.
Also examine your water intake.
Bottom line, drinking water helps combat this painful condition because it flushes the excess uric acid from your system.
Drink as much water as possible.
Step Three: Consistency Of Habits Remember, gout is a chronic condition.
It needs to be managed consistently.
Many people have suffered attacks or pain and prevented them from returning due to positive lifestyle modifications.
It is particularly important to be consistent with exercise, proper diet, and water intake.
If you are sedentary, your risk for more severe gout increases greatly.
Walking is probably the best exercise for starters.
Try for at least one mile per day and work your way up.
The key factor is to make positive changes and maintain those habits.
It usually takes 21 days to begin forming a habit, so the first few weeks are hardest.
In the long run though, positive lifestyle adjustments will benefit your overall health and not just your gout condition.
Summary Recognizing symptoms and following through with proper treatment are your two best allies when combating this condition.
If you follow these three simple steps, you'll be well on your way to controlling gout.
Here's a quick how to guide on exactly what to do.
Step One: Recognizing Gout Symptoms Millions of people suffer from gout, and unfortunately there are millions more who are suffering in silence.
Gout can be particularly frustrating because symptoms aren't consistent; in fact they can be quite intermittent or occasional, especially in early stages.
The first step is recognizing your symptoms.
Since gout is a form of arthritis, you should understand your joints will be affected.
However, this condition is unique because almost 90% of sufferers will notice issues with one or both big toes.
Typically, the big toe becomes swollen and red.
It is usually painful to the touch as well.
Without getting too technical, the swelling is due to a buildup of uric acid crystals which become lodged in your joints.
Step Two: Exploring Treatment Options Once you've begun to experience symptoms, you should explore treatment options.
While it's a good idea to discuss your condition with a doctor, be aware there are some immediate and effective steps to take.
First, examine your diet and lifestyle.
This is extremely important because gout isn't like a headache, for example.
You can't just take a pill and have it go away.
The onset of the condition is almost always due to lifestyle factors, with heredity being a secondary cause.
Diets high in fat and lack of exercise are two of the main causes.
It stands to reason the first steps are to change diet and exercise habits.
You can find excellent diet advice at a good gout resource website.
Also examine your water intake.
Bottom line, drinking water helps combat this painful condition because it flushes the excess uric acid from your system.
Drink as much water as possible.
Step Three: Consistency Of Habits Remember, gout is a chronic condition.
It needs to be managed consistently.
Many people have suffered attacks or pain and prevented them from returning due to positive lifestyle modifications.
It is particularly important to be consistent with exercise, proper diet, and water intake.
If you are sedentary, your risk for more severe gout increases greatly.
Walking is probably the best exercise for starters.
Try for at least one mile per day and work your way up.
The key factor is to make positive changes and maintain those habits.
It usually takes 21 days to begin forming a habit, so the first few weeks are hardest.
In the long run though, positive lifestyle adjustments will benefit your overall health and not just your gout condition.
Summary Recognizing symptoms and following through with proper treatment are your two best allies when combating this condition.
If you follow these three simple steps, you'll be well on your way to controlling gout.
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