The bottom line is that if you drink four more cups of coffee per
day then you can reduce your chances of getting gout? At least, this
is what the research tells us. This particular study was conducted in
Canada against a generally recognised background of advice to
actually avoid coffee in people particularly prone to gout.

Gout is a painful joint condition brought about by the build up in
the blood of a chemical called uric acid. The study looked at about
50,000 men who had no prior history of gout. Caffeinated coffee
appeared to be an avoiding factor but interestingly, so did the
decaffeinated variety. Drinking tea conferred no benefit whatsoever.

This is interesting work although the authors would state that
such early evidence is not conclusive. More research is needed to
determine the precise mechanisms whereby coffee interacts with the
uric acid metabolic pathway.

However, the study appeared to be no fluke. The actual level of
uric acid in the blood of these men was indeed lower. And it is the
uric acid levels themselves that makes a person more prone to gout.
There is no evidence that caffeine itself reduced uric acid levels
(hence the connection with decaffeinated coffee) but rather some
other component of the drink that affects the uric acid levels.

Lumbago may also be accompanied by other symptoms and signs such as loss of sensation (usually the sole of the foot and posterior aspect of the calf region) and motor function (usually loss of plantar flexion of the foot and toes as well as a diminished ankle jerk reflex) in some areas and back stiffness (pain and rigidity upon movement of the lumbrosacral part of the spine)…

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Continue Reading Managing Arthritis Pain

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When we think of support groups we rarely think of conditions like arthritis. However, chronic conditions like this are very difficult for many people. Arthritis support groups have been developed to help individuals cope with there discomfort as well as the psychological ramifications of having a chronic illness.

When I first entered one of the arthritis support groups in my community I was really apprehensive about the venture. The apprehension was caused mostly by my feeling a little silly about whining about my discomfort. Once I had an opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences I was thrilled that I decided to join.

Many may think that a community of individuals like us simply spends our time complaining during our meetings but nothing is further from the truth. I have never had the opportunity to be a teacher as well as a student in one session. The arthritis support groups offer the means for everyone involved to actively participate in coping with the pain and fear associated with the chronic illness.

During our last session we started our meeting with stories about our daily lives. It is nice to talk to people who understand what you are going through without actually talking about pain. People that attend arthritis support groups already know all too well how much discomfort is associated with the condition.

The feeling I get when I enter the room every month is complete comfort. It is nice to know that I really don’t need to explain my condition and it is even better to know that I will be learning new strategies for coping with both the physical and mental problems associated with the disorder. Arthritis support groups help us in more ways than one.

There is a general feeling of support and community among our group. There is also a great sense of relief after being able to truly share the arthritic experience without feeling like a whiner. Arthritis support groups help us freely exchange ideas and insight on what does and what does not actually work. The information is almost as valuable as the friendships we have established.

If you have an arthritic condition you may find that there are others in your community who can offer you great help. You also may find that you are helping others in the process. Even though our major bond is a chronic condition those of us who attend arthritis support groups share so much more.

Did you know that almost 1 in 6 Americans suffer from arthritis? Most arthritis sufferers are afflicted with one of the three most common forms: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. Here, we’ll take a look at some effective, natural gout remedies that work to ease your symptoms.

There are many types of arthritis, with a variety of causes. However, arthritis always manifests in inflammation of the joints, resulting in redness, swelling and varying degrees of pain experienced when moving the affected joints.

Gout is a form of arthritis, usually affecting men over the age of 40, and is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. The excess uric acid crystallizes in joints, causing the characteristic pain and swelling. There are a number of natural, effective gout remedies, which bring relief by flushing or decreasing uric acid levels in the blood. Let’s look at some of them.

One of the many gout remedies which has been highly successful in folk, anecdotal and clinical settings is the common cherry. Simply eating a half pound of cherries daily (fresh or canned) dramatically reduces uric acid levels. You may even prevent attacks of gout. As a matter of fact, any of the dark red and dark blue berries will do the job. Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, cherries and hawthorn berries are all rich in flavenoids, the compounds responsible for the flushing of the excess uric acid. So, including these foods in your diet is a wise choice if you suffer from gout. Not only do you gain relief from the gout, but you’re improving your diet, getting your necessary fruits and bolstering your vitamin intake.

Hawthorne berries are the ripened red fruits of the hawthorne tree, and may be purchased in powdered form in herb stores and made into tea or taken in capsules. Incidentally, hawthorne berries are also an outstanding heart tonic.

Yet another of the herbal gout remedies is turmeric. Popular in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. If you enjoy Indian curry dishes, include these dishes in your regular diet. Turmeric is the herb which gives the yellow orange color to curry dishes.

Despite it’s ominous name, devil’s claw is one of the most effective gout remedies and has been used in many cultures for hundreds of years. It’s reputation as a folk remedy is backed by clinical studies, which show devil’s claw provides joint pain relief by reducing uric acid levels, while reducing blood cholesterol levels as well.

Bilberries are another of the natural gout remedies, and may be found in herb stores. Bilberry contain constituents which reduce uric acid levels, while also inhibiting destruction of surrounding tissues.

Horsetail and stinging nettle are both useful as gout remedies, as they each contain constituents which eliminate excess uric acid from affected joints, thus relieving pain and swelling.

Consult an herbalist for proper dosages and preparations of these gout remedies and clear with your doctor before using any of these herbs.