Treating gout homeopathically

Mr Prabhakar woke up one night with excruciating pain, redness and swelling in his left big toe. Wondering if he had injured himself or if he was bitten by some insect while he was asleep, he rushed to his doctor, who diagnosed him with gout, a disease caused due to increased uric acid in the body. Urate crystals form and deposit in body tissues, causing joint inflammation or destruction, decreased kidney function and kidney stones. The big toe is affected in approximately 75% of the first attacks, though other joints may also be involved.

Having tried various medications and fed up with their temporary results and side effects, he visited Dr. Batra's. A detailed case history revealed that his problem was triggered by his sedentary lifestyle, faulty diet and alcoholism. Based on his symptoms and personality, he was prescribed Ledum Pal and a customised diet chart was chalked out by our in-house nutritionist to help him keep his uric acid levels under check. Under homeopathic treatment, his pain and swelling subsided; now, he doesnt even remember the last time that he went through all the agony.

Homeopathy reduces suffering and helps to prevent future episodes without side effects. In fact, it is not common knowledge that modern medicine has borrowed the use of colchicine in the treatment of gout from homeopathy. Since nearly two hundred years, a homeopathic remedy made from the extract of a plant called Colchicum Autumnale, which contains colchicine as its active ingredient, is being used to treat gout. Formica Rufa, a homeopathic medicine, is said to have successfully treated 2,50,000 sufferers of rheumatism and gout, as reported in a Seattle post intelligencer article.

Drink plenty of water. Reduce your weight if you are overweight. Keep the affected foot bare as clothing tends to aggravate pain and discomfort. Red meat, organ meats such as liver and kidney, shellfish, certain kinds of preserved fish, and dairy or poultry products are best avoided as they can increase uric acid levels. You should cut down your intake of alcohol, yeast, asparagus, mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, pulses, cauliflower, and green peas. Dietary care along with homeopathic treatment can help gout patients lead normal lives.

Article by Dr Mukesh Batra
L.C.E.H., F.H.M.A. (U.K.), F.R.S.H. (Med) P.(Lon), M.D.H. (U.S.A.), F.B.I.H.(U.K.)
Published in Times of India on 19 November 2009