Gout and it's root cause is often defined and categorized in a generally accepted fashion; too much Uric Acid. From a standard western medical approach this is accurate. However, when viewing it from a more holistic standpoint there are much more important aspects of Gout to be observed that thoroughly uncover the Cause of Gout.
What Is Gout?
Here is the standard definition found in Wikipedia:
What Gout Is, in the lives of millions of people around the world may be expressed in a different fashion that would commonly sound something more like this:
Does that description really explain what Gout is? No. But did it give a better understanding about what Gout is? Probably Yes.
Here is a more simplified explanation:
Hyperuricemia is when there is abnormally high levels of Uric Acid in the blood. This may or may not result in Acute Gouty Arthritis or Gout Attack. Many people have above average Uric Acid levels and never develop Gout.
When Uric Acid levels become unacceptably high and remain there, the condition is then termed Chronic Gout.
Another less common form of Gout is called Tophaceous Gout. After Chronic Gout has been allowed to develop unchecked and unattended, Tophus or the plural, Tophi, slowly start to form. Chalky or cottage cheese-like formations appear under the skin, in and around the joints or on other parts of the body like the ears.
Tophus is Latin for "stone". These "stones" are deposits of monosodium urate crystals. They are the extreme expression of Gout and can also cause major joint dysfunction and disability. Monosodium Urate Crystals can also form to cause Kidney Stones, linking the dangers of Gout with Renal Dysfunction and Complications.
What Causes Gout?
The more important question is: What Causes High Levels of Uric Acid? More precisely: What Causes An Overly Acidic Inner Bodily Terrain or Acidosis?
From the western medicine point of view, approaching Gout as simply an unacceptable high level of Uric Acid in the body and blood is enough. Limit or manage the production of Uric Acid and the job is done. There are different ways to accomplish this, as well as promotion of greater excretion and improved Kidney function which is the topic of another article.
Isolating and treating Gout from this perspective is often times completely acceptable for a large percentage of the population, for another percentage of the population it is not. To approach Gout in this manner, the condition is temporarily satisfied but the Cause has not been sufficiently addressed.
A great deal of study, experiments and testing have been done and more are currently underway to determine the Genetic Predisposition of developing the condition of Gout. Currently, available statistics vary between 10 - 20% as a marker for those who have a genetic component for their susceptibility to develop Gout.
Gout occupies greater stature in the list of Lifestyle Related Diseases. Like all other diseases and conditions in this category, Gout stems from an overly acidic body chemistry.
Acid-forming or acid-producing diets, unmanaged levels of Stress, environmental pollutants, smoking, and negative thought processes are a few of the ways that facilitate the production, build-up, and accumulation of toxic acid wastes in various parts of the body.
In regards to Gout, the body in all it's wisdom, looks for places to store this excess toxicity to protect the vital organs by depositing it in the joints for later removal. That "later", as in the case of Obesity and excess fat, never really comes.
Treatments that only concern themselves with limiting the production of Uric Acid fail to address the mounting overall condition of acidity that is continuing to increase many other metabolic acids and substances. This "ripening" of the acidic inner terrain is conducive for the proliferation of not only Gout but Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer and a whole host of other degenerative diseases as well.
Poor Blood Oxygenation can also lead to increased levels of Uric Acid being fed into the blood stream. The lower our blood oxygen levels, the more tendency there is for acidity and the formation of Uric Acid.
An extreme example of this is Sleep Apnea, a condition where someone stops breathing in their sleep for prolonged periods of time. New studies are showing that due to the cessation of breathing during periods of sleep, the lack of oxygen or Hypoxia leads to the generation of Uric Acid. This is becoming a more well-accepted conclusion for why most Gout Attacks happen at night and especially in the early morning hours.
Summary:
Gout reveals itself by the evidence of elevated Uric Acid levels. The Cause of Gout is the onset of Acidosis.
The 4 Ways Deep Breathing Techniques Will Make A Difference With Gout
The condition of Gout is caused by an over-acidic body condition, specifically Uric Acid. Toxic acid waste will build up from several different causes. Deep breathing techniques will serve to assist in both preventing the accumulation of acid waste and help move it out to be excreted as well.
Gout And Celiac Disease: What Is The Connection?
Gout and Celiac Disease appear to have some interesting connections although there is no conclusive evidence that specifically ties them together at this time. Bone and joint pain, as well as Autoimmune Symptoms and Rheumatoid Arthritis are commonly included in a long list of symptomatic descriptions of Celiac Disease. Gout is classified as a Rheumatic Disease, it certainly qualifies as a condition of Bone and Joint Pain, and it has an Autoimmune component as in the body attacking itself when the presence of the naturally occurring substance, Uric Acid, becomes too prevalent.
Baking Soda For Gout: Why Take Drugs?
Baking soda or Sodium Bicarbonate is a well-known treatment for neutralizing the acidic buildup that causes Gout. The effectiveness is well-documented and widely used today. It's ability to raise the pH of the body chemistry makes it a more attractive natural method to relieve Gout than NSAIDS; why do our doctors ignore it?
