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- Gout is condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing
in tissues of the body, which is characterized by an overload of
uric acid in the body and recurring attacks of joint inflammation
(arthritis).
- The term "gout" commonly is used to refer to the painful arthritis
attacks.
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Why is gout harmful?
- Uric Chronic gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints,
decreased kidney function, and kidney stones. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines, that
are part of many foods we eat.
- Gout could cause diseases and disorder of
- attacks of painful arthritis (gout attack)
- kidney stones
- blockage of the kidney filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney
failure.
- some patients may only develop elevated blood uric acid levels (hyperuricemia)
without having arthritis or kidney problems.
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What symptoms can a gout cause?
- Gouty arthritis is usually an extremely painful attack with a rapid onset of
joint inflammation.
- The joint inflammation is precipitated by deposits of uric acid crystals in
the joint fluid (synovial fluid) and joint lining (synovial lining).
- Intense joint inflammation occurs as white blood cells engulf the uric
acid crystals and release chemicals of inflammation, causing pain, heat,
and redness of the joint tissues.
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How many people are suffering gout?
- Approximately one million people in the United States suffer from attacks of gout. Did you know
that none other than Benjamin Franklin had terrible gouty arthritis!
- Gout is nine times more common in men than in women.It predominantly attacks males after
puberty, with a peak age of 75.
- In women, gout attacks usually occur after menopause.
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Gout with tophi on elbow, knee
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- Foods high in fructose, especially high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
as main ingredient (READ LABEL), all soft drinks (non-diet),
wherein HFCS is second ingredient next to fruit preserves, jam, jelly,
syrup, candy, ice cream, cakes, and cookies.
- Foods high in purines, such as meat, fish, poultry, or tofu,
sweetbreads, kidneys, liver, brains, or other offal meats, sardines
and anchovies, seafood particularly shellfish such as clam, oyster,
scallop, shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish, asparagus. cauliflower,
mushrooms, spinach, lentils & peas, alcohol especially beer.
- Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to dilute
and assist excretion of urates; avoid diuretic foods or medicines like
aspirin,vitamin C, tea and alcohol.
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What can lower uric acid?
Bing cherries were reported to reduce uric acid, and also celery extracts, cheese, carbonated
beverages and sugar, dietary supplements Quercetin and flavonoid.
Do I have to suffer gout for my life time if I have it?
No. Although many people complain about it, gout is still to be controlled. Live what we discussed
above, you should watch your diets. Secondly, gout is NOT an unbeatable disease. You might go
for medications or try our natural health care. If you might take a continuous treatment, your gout
will be controlled and you won't suffer it any longer.
How can I make a self-diagnosis?
The diagnosis is made when six of the following are present:
(1) more than one attack of acute joint pain;
(2) pain reaches maximum within one day;
(3) pain involving only one joint;
(4) redness of the joint;
(5) painful, swollen base of a big toe;
(6) involvement of one big toe;
(7) involvement on one joint on the top of the foot close to the ankle;
(8) bump under the skin on the elbow (called a tophus);
(9) elevated uric acid levels in the blood;
(10) abnormal x-rays of involved joint(s);
(11) negative culture of joint fluid during attack.
Do we accept health insurance?
We bill Out-network of acupuncture treatments from insurance companies listed below. It is always
best to check with your health insurance company first in order to see if you have eligibility and
coverage for our services. If you have any difficulties to understand it, just kindly forwards/fax
your information to our office, we will verify if your insurances cover the acupuncture treatment
or not. Currently, neither Medicare or Medicaid cover acupuncture treatments.
Aetna
Cigna
Empire BlueCross
Empire BlueShield
GHI
Great-West
Health Net
HIP
Humana
PHCS
United Healthcare
Univera Healthcare
Oxford(freedom)
Flex spending
IRS tax deduction
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