gout II

With my recent gout attack I've decided to do some more research on the subject, including the causes of this serious ailment and what starts the dominoes falling. So far I know that the kidney(or kidneys) are affected and cause a build-up of uric acid in the blood which in turn causes crystals to form in the feet and elsewhere (the damage is not confined to the feet only and affects organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys!). Stress is just one of the catalysts in getting all this going.

Once you have gout, there are ways to minimize the symptoms. Reducing or eliminating sources of purine, such as red meat for an example, eating lots of red and blue fruits which have plenty of natural anti-inflammatory agents (blue berries have zinc as well which helps with the effects of stress), and otherwise restricting one's diet to fish and poultry, vegetables and fruit (with obvious exceptions - asparagus is a no-no).

Our sleep patterns and daily activities could play a part in all this, such as working rotating shifts which puts the body in continuous stress (not a good thing in the long run). A straight shift without variations might be a lot better, and if you're a night person as opposed to a morning one, getting up early in the day for a long period might not be good either, well, in my opinion anyway.

My father's younger brother had gout for many years through the latter part of his life and in the end he was also on kidney dialysis it was so bad. Medications may be necessary in some cases. I use them only when the attacks are so serious that adjustments to my diet alone will not help improve the situation but finding the source of the problem and making the necessary changes there that will eliminate the problem seems to be the best solution. That is better said than done and not as easy as it sounds. Meantime, researchers keep plugging away in trying to find a solution.

This is what I've learned over the last ten years in order to help in my own situation. Meantime, check with you medical professional if you feel you have symptoms or are concerned and just want to know more. I'll post more news later. - V

gout

I'm in the midst of another gout attack (left ankle). Luckily they're infrequent! I can barely walk across the apartment, so don't see myself being able to make it to the bus stop. With that said, I had to book off work. Its getting to and from that is the issue. Last night I read the papers, had a light supper and went to bed. I couldn't focus on anything else. I hope your day is better! - V

gout is back

There was a storm front that moved through the area late Sunday into Monday which brought rain, lots of it, well certainly not as much as other parts of this country have suffered but more than we've had all summer.

Well, at the same time came gout symptoms but this time affecting my left foot rather than the right. There's little swelling at the moment (and I'd like to keep it that way), so it may just be arthritis something I also have in my right knee, and its been with me since my teens in case you think its all about old age! I'm taking some aspirin each day to dull the pain and I'll likely head over to the clinic to get a prescription for an anti-inflammatory. That's in case there is some swelling.

My supervisor at work is away on vacation next week, so its me that's holding the fort as the saying goes. Besides, if we don't work, we don't get paid. Not working creates its own set of issues. So, in the interim I'll do what I can to keep the pain and swelling away while this heals itself. I hope all is better for you. Besides, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!!! - V

update

The gout symptoms I've had for the last month or so are lessening with a strict diet which includes no red meat of any kind from any sources and no alcohol. This latter one is tough for the moment but necessary, since I do love to drink the odd glass of beer or wine, but the risk of having another attack is not one I'd like to take. I'm also eating plenty of red and blue fruits, such as raspberries and blueberries, though I'm getting rather sick of the latter, but blueberries have lots of anti-inflammatory agents as well as zinc. I'm also planning to purchase some raspberry leaf tea on the weekend when I'm in Vancouver. This tea also has anti-inflammatory agents to keep gout symptoms away.

In other news, I have taken a few new photos and hope to post some of them on the weekend when more time is available.

I also plan to work on some new masthead photos for this blog. I have started that process for my other blog. My thinking is that the current photo has been up long enough, so its time for a change. Look for some new masthead pics then!

Meantime, Brad is on Vancouver Island as far as I understand and will be here with me soon. I'm looking forward to his input! Now its time for bed. Have a good night!!! - V

gout

Well, I've got a few blog posts in mind but a recent gout attack has postponed them until I get better. To make a long story short, a gout attack is set off by stress. I won't go into the details but this is not the worst one I've had within the last ten years but its bad enough when your foot is swollen and there is difficulty walking. I'm expecting to get a new prescription for anti-inflammatory medication on Saturday. The last prescription dates from October 2006, which is the last time I had a major attack. That time it was a medication my doctor was giving me that brought on the attacks. When that medication was no longer taken, the gout symptoms subsided. Currently I'm taking aspirin which only dulls the pain and does nothing for the swelling. The new posts should come along on the weekend. Hope all is much better with you, guys! - V