Have you ever had sudden, severe joint pain, particularly in your big toe? We call this gout. A kind of arthritis that is brought on by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, which results in excruciating pain and inflammation.
Simply described, it feels like crystals that resemble needles are pushing against your joints. Gout is not just brought on by an excess of uric acid, but also by imbalances in the body's doshas, notably Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurveda addresses the root causes of these imbalances to alleviate symptoms and restore harmony.
Ayurvedic Causes of Gout
Ayurveda stresses that gout is caused by an imbalance in the body's doshas, especially when toxins (Ama) build up and interfere with regular bodily functions.
- Vata Dosha (Air Element): Dryness and an accumulation of waste products in the body are caused by an intensified Vata. Crystals of uric acid may deposit in the joints as a result of this.
- Pitta Dosha (Fire Element): Too much Pitta can cause the body to become inflamed and heated, which can exacerbate joint pain and swelling, particularly during a gout attack.
- Kapha Dosha (Earth & Water Element): When Kapha is out of balance, it can cause poor circulation and slow digestion, which can result in the body accumulating toxins and waste.
Find Out How Your Environment, Diet, and Lifestyle Affect Gout
Most people don’t actually realize that the onset and progression of gout is greatly impacted by the environment you live in, the food that you eat and the kind of lifestyle choices that you make everyday.
- Environmental factors, like extremely cold weather or the stressful modern-day situations, can trigger flare-ups by aggravating the body’s imbalances.
- A diet high in red meat, shellfish, and alcohol - can cause a rise in the uric acid levels.
- Lifestyle choices, including zero physical activity, obesity and dehydration, can further contribute to gout.
Modern Causes of Gout
High uric acid levels can result from a number of causes, such as heredity, nutrition, obesity, and certain medication. Let’s gain a better understanding of how these factors directly affect the likelihood of developing gout:
- Genetics: The ability of certain people's kidneys to filter uric acid is influenced by a hereditary predisposition. Higher blood uric acid levels and a higher likelihood of developing gout are the outcomes of this. Your chances of getting gout are increased if the condition runs in your family.
Diet: Consuming foods high in purines, which are naturally occurring compounds present in some meals, is one of the main causes of gout. Purines are found in these foods - red meat and organ meats, seafood, alcohol and sugary-drinks.
Obesity: Because excess body fat promotes the generation of uric acid and impairs the kidneys' ability to remove it, obesity is a substantial risk factor for gout. Gout can occur as a result of a number of conditions that are part of this lifestyle issue, including high blood pressure, excessive blood sugar, and uncontrolled cholesterol levels.
Medications: Gout risk may increase as a result of some drugs that enhance the body's uric acid levels such as diuretics, aspirin and immunosuppressants.
You should be aware that these modern factors can make it more difficult for your body to properly get rid of excess uric acid, which can make gout attacks more likely. In conclusion, Ayurveda with its effective treatments, eliminates the underlying cause to stop recurrences rather than merely treating symptoms. So, don't wait any longer - speak with an Ayurvedic expert to regain your body's harmony.
