The most reliable test for gout is finding uric acid crystals in a sample of the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration.
Blood uria is the commonest blood test to estimate the level of Uric acid. Other blood tests commonly performed are white blood cell count, electrolytes, renal function, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
X-rays can sometimes be helpful and may show tophi-crystal deposits and bone damage as a result of repeated bouts of inflammation.
Ayurveda Management
Vata Rakta or Aadya Vata is a classical description of Gout in Ayurveda. Vata dosha, Pitta dosha and Rakta Dhatu are specially vitiated to cause Vatarakta.
Several causes are listed in Ayurveda, which causes Vatarakta are excessive intake of Lavana (salty), Amla (Sour), Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kshara (alkaline), Snigdha (Too oily), and Ushna (Too hot) foods, eating dried & preserved or spoiled fish/meat, Ulavalu (Horsegram), Blackgram, Nishpava (anumulu, a bean variety), sour curd or buttermilk, incompatible foods like fish with milk products, drinking alcohol, daytime sleep, staying awake in the night, anger etc.
Based on the seat of the disease, Vatarakta is classified into 2 types.
- Uttana (superficial) – This is located in the twak (skin) & mamsa (muscle).
- Gambhira (deep) – This is located in the deeper dhatus and more severe in nature. Tophi or nodule formation occurs.
At Bhagwati Ayurveda, our treatment includes Ayurveda Panchakarma therapy along with internal medicines, diet & lifestyle modifications. Therapies like Snehapanam, Virechanam, Abhyanga swedam, Elakkizhi, Pizhichil, Vasti, Navarakizhi etc are very useful in treating or even curing Vatarakta.
In very severe cases, even Rakthamokshana therapy is also practiced for quicker and long lasting relief.