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In-hospital cardiac procedures up for those with gout, rheumatoid arthritis

(HealthDay)—Rates of in-hospital cardiac procedures continued to increase in people with gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 1998 to 2014, although they decreased for the general population, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.Jasvinder A. Singh, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., and John Cleveland, M.D., both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, used data from the U.S. National Inpatient Sample (1998 to 2014) to examine the frequency of seven common cardiac and orthopedic procedures in hospitalized people with gout and RA compared to the general population.

Wearable sweat sensor detects gout-causing compounds

Date:November 25, 2019

Source: California Institute of Technology

Summary: Scientists have developed an easier way to mass-produce highly sensitive sweat sensors that can detect a variety of low-concentration compounds related to health conditions.

There are numerous things to dislike about going to the doctor: Paying a copay, sitting in the waiting room, out-of-date magazines, sick people coughing without covering their mouths. For many, though, the worst thing about a doctor’s visit is getting stuck with a needle. Blood tests are a tried-and-true way of evaluating what is going on with your body, but the discomfort is unavoidable. Or maybe not, say Caltech scientists.

Gout Questions and Answers

Let us better help you better understand this condition – despite the tons of misinformation that circulates on the internet.

Why are blood test results misleading when it comes to a Gout diagnosis?

Blood tests can reveal the concentration of uric acid in your system. However, while you are under an attack your blood could potentially read quite normal. Over 60% of patients presenting with acute gouty arthritis symptoms have uric acid levels of <8mg/dl. Measuring serum uric acid levels while under an attack may not be too helpful in a diagnostic sense. Why? The crystals relentlessly jabbing at your joints are NOT in a soluble form at that time.

Candidiasis: Yeast overgrowth and Gout

Candida yeast overgrowth in the body can contribute to difficulty with weight loss, inflammation, increased uric acid levels, and a host of other symptoms. In fact, the symptoms of chronic inflammation are extraordinarily similar to those seen in Candida related complex. Digestive problems, allergies, fatigue, and joint pain are no strangers to either condition. We have a bad habit of evaluating conditions separately, when in fact the powerful links between Gout and Candida yeast overgrowth could be addressed collectively.

Harmful substances that enter the bloodstream can cause a host of problems. The byproducts of Candida (acetaldehyde, ammonia, and uric acid) are no exception. Our bodies have a remarkable way of dealing with these invaders that can be both helpful and harmful. Inflammatory response is the key component for your body’s way of healing itself in the presence an injury, an infection, or in this case when dangerous pathogens are invading your system.

Many relate candida yeast solely to women and the vagina infections the yeast can cause. However, yeast can be found in the mouth, intestines, and on the skin. When it begins to grow uncontrollably it can cause an infection known as candidiasis.
We rely on the healthy bacteria levels in our body to keep Candida levels in check. However, in the presence of low “good bacteria” levels (quite common) the immune system becomes compromised and the overproduction of both yeast and Uric Acid can ensue.
Much like uric acid, candida faces similar risk factors that can lead to its overproduction such as:

Antibiotic use
A diet high in sugar and refined carbs
Excessive alcohol intake
Compromised immune system
Prescription medications
Diabetes
Stress

Inflammation and COVID-19 | Gout and Inflammation | Coronovirus | Flu

If you suffer with inflammation (Arthritis, Gout, Diabetes, etc.), are you more susceptible to viruses such as the Flu and COVID-19?

Higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, ferritin, and D-dimers have been found in the blood of COVID-19 patients. Increased serum levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines have been associated with the severity of the condition, as well as with the deaths involved. The way this virus invades the cells sets off a cytokine (small proteins important in cell signaling) storm, hampering the body’s ability to deal with its destructive path. The strength of the inflammatory response with this virus far exceeds what is typical for other viral infections. We are aware that hyperinflammation has been observed in younger patients without pre-existing conditions, making those with pre-existing inflammation that much more susceptible. You may not think of Gout as a “pre-existing” condition that places you at higher risk, but it most certainly can do just that. Inflammation is still at the root of this painful disease and while your body is already struggling to keep that at bay, your risk factor is naturally higher than others. Additionally, more men seem to be suffering with extreme complications involving COVID-19, even at younger ages, much like we see with the likelihood and severity of Gout in men. Comparatively speaking, premenopausal women seem to be more protected from more severe complications of this virus vs. postmenopausal women — also another common scenario involved with Gout in women. Uncontrolled, chronic inflammation can result in, or be the result of, a dysfunctional immune system. This can make it exceedingly difficult to keep certain pathogens in check and result in triggering an overproduction of immune cells that could flood the lungs. Widespread inflammation can negatively impact all organs of the body. When a virus replicates faster than the immune system can respond the body can quickly become overwhelmed and spiral out of control. This is where updated medical technology is needed to monitor the lungs and other organs. People can click here for info on what is needed to help keep people safe and secure during these terrifying times. While data characterizing the immune and inflammatory status in patients with COVID-19 is in its infancy, it is obvious that inflammation contributes to the disease’s severity and risk of death. Our body’s potent immune response to COVID-19 poses unique risks to the heart, which is likely underestimated by comparison to the lung/respiratory system involvement. Systemic inflammation has been a well-known trigger for cardiovascular events, and this is no exception. As a result, anti-inflammatory treatments, such as Colchicine, are actively being researched as a potential hope for COVID-19 treatment. Researchers are also considering other therapies specific to inhibiting inflammation, such as the sex hormone progesterone. Naturally (pun intended) our company airs on the side of alternative options to prescription anti-inflammatories. We won’t bore you with the gazillion reasons why (links on this page speak for themselves), but we will guide you towards the all-natural options for building your immunity, fighting Gout, fighting inflammation as a whole, and lowering your risk of susceptibility due to your pre-disposition. Taking care of yourself is always important, and even more so considering this pandemic. Mental health is equally as important. Stress, anxiety and depression are very acidic and damaging to the body. Taking care of yourself emotionally needs to remain as much of a priority as doing so physically. The mind is a powerful thing, nurture it.

Uric Acid in the Joints

Soluble uric acid can be measured in your blood supply. However, the uric acid that has crystallized and is now residing in connective tissue cannot be measured with a blood analysis. These crystals are always there, in a solid form, “melting” when the levels in the blood will allow, and adding to the build up when levels in the blood become too high for the blood to carry. These deposits are what migrate into the joint causing the acute gout attack. When the tissue is full, any food indulgences and lifestyle choices that cause you to produce more uric acid than the blood can hold, will allow for deposits that crystallize between the bone joints. This can make you falsely blame one food for triggering your attack when in all actuality it simply “tipped the already full cup over.”

Are you doing enough to avoid the Coronavirus AND Gout Attacks?

Can this virus raise your threat of a Gout attack? Can illness increase your arthritic joint pain and inflammation, in general? As the coronavirus spreads it is important not only to reduce your exposure, but also to boost your immunity should exposure become your reality. We have always preached the necessity to enhance your immune system in order to fight chronic inflammation and Gout, and now it’s more important than ever! Some tweaks to our diet, water intake, supplement selections, our actions and our thought patterns, can make this all possible. Optimizing your health through diet, water, sleep, and supplementation won’t only enhance your health overall, it will enhance your body’s ability to ward or fight off any of those nasty germs surrounding you. Even if you succumb to the germs, you can drastically reduce the severity of the hit with a strengthened immune system. Whilst you’re keeping your immune system up, don’t forget to visit a website to buy a face covering of some sort to protect you when you’re out and about. Local shops will also be selling face masks if you cannot access any online. Sleep might just be at the top of the most underrated list. Lack of sleep can really weigh on your immune system making you susceptible to environmental influences such as colds and flu viruses. Please aim for a solid 8 hours, without medication if possible. Sleep drugs pretty much defeat the purpose and only add to the body’s acidity, causing more trouble in the long run. Continue reading

Uric Acid Metabolism and the Effects of Fructose

Sugar intake has risen dramatically over the last century which seems to correlate closely with the rise in obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Simple sugars include both glucose and fructose. While glucose is generally utilized by the body for energy production, fructose is known to produce high amounts of harmful substances. Added sugars to our food sources mostly stem from fructose, and fructose metabolism can cause some pretty significant damage. Fructose can actually deplete our energy sources, cause death to our cells, stimulate fat making enzymes, and produce excess uric acid.

Studies on rats have shown fructose intake to instigate all markers of metabolic syndrome – increased waistline, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid abnormalities, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. These studies have also shown high fructose intake to stimulate free radicals, weaken the arteries, create a fatty liver, and cause kidney damage. Continue reading “Uric Acid Metabolism and the Effects of Fructose”

The Benefits of Turmeric (Curcumin) – Gout, Inflammation and Disease

TURMERIC (Curcumin)

Herbs and spices have more antioxidants than any other food group. Turmeric (Curcumin) is among these potent antioxidants. With its use, one could help prevent DNA mutations that lead to cancer and another disease. The number of cells with DNA damage could essentially be cut in half with just a little bit of this yellow magic. Many people opt to take or make supplements with this spice contained in it, which you can find more about as you explore the different vendors for these items.

A number of clinical trials have tested Curcumin (the pigment in Turmeric that yields its bright yellow color) against a number of diseases. The trials have shown this spice to play a significant role in the prevention and/or treatment of brain diseases, a variety of cancers, lung diseases, and painful joint conditions.

New Year’s Resolution – Gout Free in the New Year

What is the number one reason that New Year’s resolutions fail?

Most people know what they want, but they don’t fully understand how to actually achieve their goal. Most resolutions require a decent amount of patience and understanding, and whole lot of effort. We cannot treat a marathon like a sprint; bad habits don’t die easily. You must approach this goal with the understanding that Gout did not take place overnight, and neither will your healing. So many people fail at achieving their goals because they are in too much of a hurry and desire immediate satisfaction. When it comes to Gout pain, it is easily understood why we resort to quick-fix prescription medications even though we know they aren’t really “fixing” anything. We need immediate pain relief, and rightfully so. However, you can still begin the true healing process and we can show you the way. Having a New Year’s Resolution for Joint health and Gout Control is a great idea. You may know what you want, but not how to go about achieving this goal – BUT WE DO!

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