Gout Attacks - Why Me Not Others

We all are familiar with gout attack if you have suffered. The first sight is that your big toe joint feel extremely swelling and painful for no reason. It lasts about 2 weeks. You can’t walk or stand even touch your toe. Then, you go to see a doctor. The doctor will prescribe as Colchicine and Indomethacin for you. In addition, your doctor will ask you to get a test of eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), creatinine and uric acid. You take the medicines right away. Then you feel relieved. Your doctor might tell you to avoid high purine foods, such as beer, red meats, liver, seafood, beans etc. In the end, you are back to your life and you wonder what was happening to your body and why you got it not others. How do you avoid it?

Are the high purine-rich foods the problem?

High purine-rich foods, such as meat and seafood, contain proteins. Your body begins to digest protein in the stomach with the use of enzymes called proteases (mostly pepsin) which break the chemical bonds that hold proteins structures together.

From here, food travels to the top of the small intestine where the pancreas releases more proteases (trypsin and chymotrypsin) to continue the digestive process. Once the remaining chemical bonds are broken down, the food travels down the intestine. If conditions are right, these amino acids should be absorbed into the bloodstream before the time they exit the body as waste.

These amino acids are carried through the bloodstream to the various cells of the body. Once within the cells, they are used by cell organelles called Ribosomes to create whatever protein that cell needs, like antibodies, muscle, collagen, hormones and enzymes. This is done with RNA, a copy of the DNA in the cell’s nucleus. Amino acids that are not used by the cells of the body are broken down by the liver in a process known as deamination. This removes the nitrogenous amine group, digesting the remainder as carbohydrate. The waste amine groups are converted into uric acid and passed to the blood where they are filtered by the kidneys.

Higher levels of meat and seafood consumption are associated with higher serum levels of uric acid. Dairy consumption was inversely associated with the serum uric acid level. [1]

Avoiding high purine-rich meat and seafood consumption can reduce the level of uric acid generated in the body. However, the waste of uric acid produced from cell metabolism is higher than the waste of uric acid from high purine-rich foods produced. Our body keeps the level of uric acid (a natural antioxidant) in a balance state. Suddenly bursting of excess the level of uric acid will lead to gout. If it gets too little, it may be associated with a molybdenum deficiency, copper toxicity and a worsening of multiple sclerosis.

Many important functions of Purines in the cell [2]

• The formation of the monomeric precursors of nucleic acids DNA, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, and RNA, ribonucleic acid,.
• It modulate energy metabolism and signal transduction.
• It is structural components of some coenzymes and it plays important roles in the physiology of platelets, muscles and neurotransmission.
• All cells require a balanced quantity of purines for growth, proliferation and survival.
• The enzymes involved in the purine metabolism maintain in the cell a balanced ratio between their synthesis and degradation.
• The final compound of purines catabolism is uric acid.

What does my body differ from others in term of gout attack?

Uric acid is a waste of cell metabolism from protein consumed. Higher concentration of serum level of uric acid not excreted by kidney causes crystal precipitation any where in the body especially at joint. It causes kidney failure if it precipitate in kidney. That's why a doctor will check your kidney to make sure it function well. Kidney is the only organ to get rid of such waste. It also regulate the serum level of uric acid in a balanced range. If you drink enough water, your concentration of serum level of uric acid will drop. You will not be likely to get gout attack. High strenuous exercise in a short time also will increase waste from the muscle and lead higher serum level of uric acid and lead to gout attack if you don't drink water after exercise. Therefore, drink enough water daily or after exercise, you will not be likely to get gout attack.

Nature Remedy of Gout attack

1. Taking 1 teaspoon of apple vinegar in a cup of water twice a day will dissolve the crystal of precipitate at the joint. However, do not take the apple vinegar drink with empty stomach. Always have apple vinegar drink after your meals.
2. Walk slowly and massage pain nearby area to make blood circulate well in the period.
3. Take some anti-oxidant vitamin and grape extract C to help to reduce inflammation at the joint.
4. Drink more water always in the period. It helps to reduce concentration of serum level of uric acid.
5. Stop eating high purine-rich food in the period

Side effect of medicine to treat gout attack

Colchicine: diarrhea, nausea, cramping, abdominal pain, and vomiting may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Indomethacin: vomiting, upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, a feeling of bowel fullness, constipation, bloating, gas, rectal irritation, dizziness, nervousness, headache, skin rash, itching, blurred vision, or ringing in your ears.

Stop taking the medicine if the symptom goes away. try not to take medicine if you can due to impairing your immune system.

Conclusion

Balanced purine-rich foods are essential to avoid spiking of serum level of uric acid. Avoiding strenuous exercise can reduce additional uric acid in the blood. Drinking more water daily may reduce serum level of uric acid and help kidney remove uric acid from your body. Drinking less water causes gout attack unless you have issues that add uric acid in the bloodstream.

Adding a little of vinegar in your diet may help to avoid from gout attack.

Note:

Most of uric acid is excreted (removed from your body) in your urine, or passes through your intestines to regulate "normal" levels. Normal Uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dL(female) and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL (male).

Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle metabolism. The kidneys filter out most of the creatinine and dispose of it in the urine. The kidneys maintain the blood creatinine in a normal range. Creatinine has been found to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. Elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease. The normal serum creatinine value are 0.5 to 1.0 mg/dL (about 45-90 μmol/L) for women and 0.7 to 1.2 mg/dL (60-110 μmol/L) for men.

Reference

[1] Choi HK¹, Liu S, Curhan G. Intake of purine-rich foods, protein, and dairy products and relationship to serum levels of uric acid: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jan;52(1):283-9.

[2] Jessica Maiuolo, Francesca Oppedisano, Santo Gratteri, Carolina Muscoli, Vincenzo Mollace. Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion. Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH), University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy Received 10 August 2015, Accepted 10 August 2015, Available online 14 August 2015.

Exercise - the Cheapest Dose to Your Health

Exercise is the miracle cure we’ve always had, but for too long we’ve neglected to take suggested from ancestors and doctors. Our health is now degrading.

Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.

People who do regular activity have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.

Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

It is a way that you maintain your health without costing a lot. In addition, it likes foods that you need to eat every day. Is it boring you do it every day?

Some people want to lose weight by exercise every day for 30 minutes. Some people just don’t have time to do it every day.

Yoga

Yoga has been around for thousands of years and it’s still around after all this time because it’s very effective for things like improving your inner consciousness, mind-body connection and spiritual health and flexibility and calming your mind.  However, it should NOT be considered an effective form of exercise.

Daily Chores

A new study from Northern Ireland finds that people who report housework as part of their weekly exercise tend to be heavier than those who get their exercise through more traditional means.

Richard Cotton, an exercise physiologist and national director of certification at the American College of Sports Medicine, agreed that people need to incorporate a broad range of physical activity into their exercise routine.

However, Cotton said that it would be hard to lose weight just by doing housework. You'll get the most reward for your time if you do more traditional physical activities, he said.

For instance, 30 minutes of vacuuming or sweeping floors burns about 130 calories, while 30 minutes of vigorous cycling on a stationary bike burns 400 calories, according to the Compendium of Physical Activities Tracking Guide, which lists the calories burned during many different types of physical activity.

But some housework does give you a bit of a workout. For instance, 30 minutes of mowing the lawn with a hand mower burns 215 calories, close to what you would burn in 30 minutes of combined jogging and walking.

Regular Exercise with Intensity

The American College of Sports Medicine reports that you can elevate your metabolism for up to 24 hours post-exercise by adding just one little twist to your exercise routine: intervals. All you have to do is inject brief periods of intense effort into your regular walks (or runs, swims, bicycling sessions, etc). The intensity effectively resets your metabolism to a slightly higher rate during your workout, and it takes hours for it to slow down again.

Tabata Training – four minutes, five times a week

A Tabata is a high-intensity exercise that has fitness and weight-loss benefits. It involves high-intensity interval-type training. Tabata comes from the man who invented it – Dr. Izumi Tabata, a Japanese physician and researcher. He conducted research using an interval-based training model. He objective was to see if athletes would benefit from a 20/10 session repeated eight times. 20/10 means 20 seconds of all-out exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. This adds up to four minutes total.

Dr. Tabata took two groups and put them on an exercise program for six weeks. The control group did one hour of moderate-intensity exercise five times a week. The other group did the high-intensity Tabata-style training. That adds up to 1,800 minutes of training for the control group versus 120 minutes of training for the Tabata group over the six-week period. The results speak for themselves. The Tabata group improved both its aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. The anaerobic fitness level increased 28%.

An example of Tabata training for runners is 20-second sprints and 10 seconds of rest for 8 times.

Whatever exercise you use, Tabata training will raise your metabolism and heart rate immediately. Since you are performing these exercises at a very high intensity, your body will have to work much harder to keep it up. This will cause your heart to pump fast and your metabolism to jump, which you want if you are planning on losing fat. Your metabolism will stay at that high not only during the workout, but after the workout as well. This means that your body will be burning fat for hours after.

Tabata Workout example:

Push-Up (chest, shoulders, arms)

Crunch (abdomen)

Squat(thighs, butt)

Jumping Rope

How to do it: Do 20 seconds of push ups, then rest 10 seconds. Do 20 seconds of squats, then rest 10 seconds. 20 seconds of crunches, and rest. 20 seconds of skipping rope, and rest. And then do that whole cycle again – eight more times.

For example, high-intensity interval-type training gives a natural boost to human growth hormone (HGH) production—which is essential for optimal health, strength and vigor—and has been shown to significantly improve insulin sensitivity, boost fat loss, and increase muscle growth.

Make sure to add a sound nutritional program into your Tabata routine for the best and fastest results possible if losing weight is your goal. Nutrition is an important component of stay fit and being active. If you have poor nutrition, then your fitness goals will not be achieved. You will also not have the energy needed to workout at this level and intensity.

Whichever exercise you choose, your choices should use a large number of muscles to get maximum benefit. It is normal to feel some soreness during the first week of Tabata training. However, your body will adjust and you will only feel slight to moderate soreness after the beginning.

Note: Do it gradually and see your body fits at first. After high strenuous exercise, allow for at least 2 days for your body to recovery. In addition, drink lots of water after exercise in order to avoid high concentration of waste, such as uric acid,  in the blood steam otherwise it might incur gout attack or kidney failure. 

Conclusion

Exercise like foods we eat should have it on every day. It is hard you start at first time but you turn it into a habit in your daily routine if you are persistent. Many people don’t look at it seriously till they have lost it and are suffering.

Hemorrhoids

"More than half of men and women aged 50 years and older will develop hemorrhoid symptoms in their lifetime. In certain populations, up to 85% of pregnancies are affected by hemorrhoids in the third trimester. Individuals typically develop hemorrhoids after the age of 30. Over 80% of Canadians will experience hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Men and women are equally affected. Women tend to be affected earlier due to pregnancy."  mentioned in Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.

Hemorrhoids is also known as "piles". They are swollen tissues located in the smooth muscles of the walls of the rectum and anus. They occur inside and outside of the anal area. They are annoy because they cause pain, itching, discomfort, burning and bleeding when you have constipation daily. The treatment of hemorrhoids are coagulation, sclerotherapy, band ligation and surgery.

Researchers are not certain what causes hemorrhoids. It's likely that extreme abdominal pressure causes the veins to swell by blocking the flow of blood through them. They then become susceptible to irritation. The increased pressure can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and holding your breath while straining to do physical labor.

hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoid surgery is very common and is considered safe. However, every surgery has some risks including:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Reaction to anesthesia

In addition, patients might have some trouble urinating because the pain following surgery makes it difficult to relax and allow urine to flow. Further, the anal sphincter might be damaged during surgery, which can lead to pain and/or accidental bowel leakage. In most cases, recovery takes about two weeks following hemorrhoidectomy. In some cases, it can take as long as three to six weeks to make a full recovery. However, it's important to eat a high-fiber diet, maintain good hygiene, and avoid becoming constipated, which can cause new hemorrhoids to form again.

One of hemorrhoid operation is called "Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoid". To remove a hemorrhoid using rubber band ligation, your doctor inserts a small tool called a ligator through a lighted tube (scope) in the anal canal and grasps the hemorrhoid with forceps. Sliding the ligator's cylinder upward releases rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoid. Rubber bands cut off the hemorrhoid's blood supply, causing it to wither and drop off.

How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids From Reoccurring?

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they are easy to pass and don't require straining. Eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses each day) can help you stay regular and keep stools soft, and may reduce constipation and the need to strain on the toilet, lowering the risk of developing new hemorrhoids.

To prevent hemorrhoids, you’ll need to avoid straining during bowel movements. Some tips include:

• Drink a lot of fluids.  Unless your medical condition prohibits it, you should consume seven or eight glasses of water each day.
• Add 15 grams of fiber to your diet (two tablespoons of natural oat or wheat bran, Metamucil, Benefiber, flax or other soluble fiber).
• Do not sit longer than two minutes on the toilet. If you can’t have a bowel movement in that time, come back later. This “two-minute” rule can help keep you from straining during bowel movements without realizing it.
• During air travel, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, eat fiber and walk around when you can.

Relieve Hemorrhoids Naturally

1. Apply vitamin E capsule on anus area. Make sure the anus is clean and dry.  Place the opened end of the vitamin E capsule right up against the anus, and squeeze the capsule. Spread the slightly oily vitamin E around.
2. Eat more fiber. Fiber can help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Increasing fiber intake to 30 grams per day can help prevent constipation and the development of hemorrhoids.
3. Drink more water. You need water for fiber to work.
4. Eat less meat. Meat contains no fiber. eat grains, beans, vegetables and fruit, which are loaded with fiber.
5. Exercise and Lose Weight. Overweight cause health decline. Without exercise, organs and internal system as a whole becomes sluggish and works at low levels. It will keep your digestive track active.
6. Take Probiotics and Consume Probiotic-Rich Foods. Probiotics are essential for balancing the bacteria in your gut, which can prevent constipation and absolutely promotes overall health. Either take a high-quality probiotic supplement, or consume more probiotic-rich foods such as fermented foods like fermented cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut, Korean kimchi.
7. Avoid surgery.

Home Remedy for Hemorrhoids

1. Apple Cider Vinegar: It is one of the most popular natural treatments for hemorrhoids.
2. Rutin : A health-promoting compound found in numerous plants such as buckwheat, oranges, grapefruit, lemon, cranberries, and asparagus.  Rutin is another home remedy often used for hemorrhoids. Buying it in supplement form may be the best option.
3. Witch Hazel: An astringent and healing tree, witch hazel is one of the oldest known natural remedies for hemorrhoids. Just soak a pad or cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the area.
4. Aloe Vera:  simply apply aloe vera to the affected area to relieve symptoms.

Conclusion

Surgery is safe and effective to get rid of hemorrhoids. However, without personal eating and life style change, they will reoccur again. You have got them before but you don't want them back to annoy your life day to day. Following the preventative method mentioned above, Hemorrhoids won't come back to you.

Supplements (Suggestion)

Fiber

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