Gout according to ayurveda is a disorder of the metabolism which has affected mankind since the dawn of recorded history. This disorder is associated with the presence of large amount of uric acid in the blood, causing inflammation of the joints. Uric acid is formed during metabolism of food and building up of body tissues. And, when the level of uric acid increases in blood, the uric acid forms microscopic crystals in joints. These crystals lead to inflammation of joints. It is to be noted that the amount of uric acid found in gout patients is always above the normal level, usually more than 0.5 mg/ 100 ml.
In 50 to 80 % of gout cases hereditary factors have been a major factor. Besides, gout attacks sedentary people more readily than the active people. Inadequate exercise, excessive consumption of fatty foods and animal proteins and alcohol intake are important factors leading to the incidence of gout. An attack of gout may appear without warning or there may be premonitory symptoms like flatulence, uneasiness, irritation in the urinary organs, numbness and coldness in the limbs. At midnight the patient is awakened by a painful feeling in the foot. The pain is intolerable. The big toe is generally inflamed and is of big red colour. The gout patient is extremely uncomfortable during the attack which is followed by dyspepsia, thirst, constipation and cramps in the limbs.
Vaghabata, the ancient ayurveda physician, has categorically stated that gout is a result of vitiated blood. The vitiation of blood is a result of various causes. These include indigestion, excessive consumption of sour, salty, hot and spicy foods, oily foods, horse gram, ural dal etc. An excess consumption of alcohol is also one of the major causes.
The symptoms of gout first appear in the feet joints, followed by all the other joints. In course of time the whole body is gradually affected. These manifest themselves in the form of inflammation and swelling of the joints, tenderness in the affected area, burning sensation and a feeling of excessive pain while touching or moving the joints.
The first attack of gout usually subsidizes in a week or so and may not involve any major treatment. It is also seen that there could exist a long gap ranging from several months to several years for a repeat attack of gout. But as years pass by, it has been seen that the attacks becomes more frequent and severe with several joints feeling extreme pain. Such a condition is termed chronic gout and may involve disability and even crippling. Attack of gout is generally confined to men and is seldom seen in women; however, it has been reported in women after their menopause
In the final stage there will be a normal movement of the shoulder bereft of any pain and lasts from 5 to 26 months.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient’s body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humour (Dosha) – Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create every disease.
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns, personal details like age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humour and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
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After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. T he beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in the treatment of Gout. Snehapanam is an important pre purification therapy for gout which consists of oral intake of medicated ghee and sesame oil for a specified number of days. This unique treatment helps flush out the toxins from the body. Amaltas , guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. are the ingredients used for its preparation.
Upanahasweda comsprises of the local application of a medicinal paste on the joints to treat pain and swelling.
Dhanyamladhara is a 45-50 minutes dhara or bath, using fermented herbal liquid that gives an analgesic effect. The treatment provides immediate joint pain relief and toxin excretion. horsegram Beaten rice, lemon, rice flakes,ginger , etc. are used for preparing the herbal liquid. Dhanyamladhara has been found to be highly effective in treating gout.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for gout are Vamanam, Virechanam and Vasthi.
Vamanam is also known as therapeutic vomiting. It is a treatment that eliminates the vitiated doshas (waste products) through the upper gastro-intestinal track. It expels and cleanses undigested food. Vamanam therapy is highly beneficial in treating gout. Herbs generally used in vamanam include -emetic nut, sweet flag, liquorice etc.
Virechanam consists of intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of the poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
Vasthi is an enema therapy and is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It is highly recommended in the treatment of gout.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation
The oral medicines used for gout will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure gout.
These oral medicines apart from reducing the blood uric acid level, also alleviates pain and swelling. Besides, these oral medicines for gout help to rejuvenate the joints.Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Guggulu, fenugreek, cinnamon bark etc are a few of the herbs and spices used in these oral medicines. Guggulu is especially suitable for increasing the white blood cell counts. It also helps to decrease the pain and swelling in the joints and has excellent rejuvenating properties.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from gout during and after the treatment. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are to be consumed. Patients suffering from gout should consume wheat, green gram, raisins, ginger, milk etc. They should, however, avoid consumption of fish, horse gram, ural dhal, curds, radish etc. Alcohol consumption should also be strictly avoided. You can find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Patients suffering from gout are advised to do yoga and meditation regularly. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself. .
Life style: Patients suffering from gout should avoid tension, worry and anxiety in their daily lives. It is advised that they avoid afternoon sleep and excessive exposure to sun’s rays. They should also avoid horse riding and other sports that call for the stretching of the joints. It is also recommended that patients take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. However, light yoga postures, meditations and breathing exercises are advised for gout patients.
