Gout is a type of disease which causes severe redness, pain, and swelling in the joints, which is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Gout attacks can be extremely painful and disruptive, and they can also have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. HSS states that 8.3 million people in the United States have gout (6.1 million men and 2.2 million women).

Medical tourism companies like Medditour can be highly helpful in treating gout as they can connect the patients seeking treatments with international hospitals and facilitators so that they can gain quality treatments without waiting for a longer periods of time.

In this article, we will explore the reasons for gout, treatments, and foods to be avoided for gout, and how medical tourism can help cure gout.

Reasons for Gout

National Library of Medicine states that the disease is due to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals and these deposits are reversible with proper treatment, suggesting that gout is a curable disease.

There are several reasons why a person might develop gout.

• Diet: Consuming foods that are high in purines, such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol, can increase the risk of developing gout.
• Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to produce too much uric acid or to be less efficient at excreting it from their bodies.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics, can increase the levels of uric acid in the body and increase the risk of gout.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes, can also increase the risk of developing gout.

Treatments for Gout

Treatments for gout range from lifestyle changes to medication. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation during gout attacks and to prevent future attacks from occurring.

• Lifestyle changes: Making changes to your diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of gout attacks. Avoiding foods that are high in purines, such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol, can help reduce uric acid levels in the body. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly can also help reduce the risk of gout attacks.
• Medications: There are several medications available to help treat gout. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation during gout attacks.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove uric acid crystals from the joints. This is typically only recommended in severe cases of gout that have not responded to other treatments.

Foods to be avoided for Gout

As previously mentioned, certain foods can increase the risk of gout attacks by increasing uric acid levels in the body. Some foods to be avoided or consumed in moderate quantities include,

• Red meat: Red meat is high in purines and can increase uric acid levels in the body.
• Seafood: Certain types of seafood are also high in purines and should be avoided or consumed in moderation.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can increase uric acid levels in the body and increase the risk of gout attacks.
• Sugary drinks: Sugary drinks, such as soda and juice, can also increase the risk of gout attacks.

Medical Tourism and Gout Treatment

Gout treatments favour medical tourism as the treatments are costlier in the countries like the US, UK, and the European countries compared to the medical tourism destinations like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Dubai, etc.

Moreover, companies like Medditour allow the patients to combine their vacation with their treatment. This allows the patients to relax with their families in the tourist places and resorts.

In conclusion, gout is a medical condition which causes pain and swelling in joints due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. To have a wider access to the specialized treatments and combine treatment with vacation, medical tourism would be a good choice for the patients with gout.