Gout And Diabetes - What Do They Have in Common?

The body is a complicated organism and there is often a connection between two seemingly unrelated processes. This is the case with gout and diabetes. To understand the connection a better understanding of both illnesses is required.

Gout is another type of arthritis marked by pain, inflammation, and swelling. It comes about when the kidneys can not eliminate the build up uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is the end product of the metabolism or breakdown of purines, that if not properly eliminated from the body, results in the build up of uric acid, causing gout.

If levels of uric acid remain elevated you're at increased risk of forming urate crystals which deposit themselves around your joints and cause the symptoms noted above.

What does diabetes have to do with this?

One of the complications of diabetes is poor circulation. If the kidneys are not getting the proper blood, oxygen, and nutrients, they can't work properly. Thus, they are unable to rid the body of excess uric acid that causes gout.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, marked by insufficient amount of insulin in the body. Insulin is produced and secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated levels of sugar in the blood.

Complications of diabetes include problems with the circulatory system, which can prevent the body from eliminating excess uric acid in the blood, and this is where the causal effect that diabetes can have on gout.

Having diabetes does not mean you will definitely suffer from gout and vice versa.

Prevention:

Preventing diabetes involves managing your blood sugar levels, and taking insulin if it has been prescribed. Many tens of thousands of people successfully live with diabetes.

Preventing attacks of gout:

When you have resolved your initial gout attack, no further treatment is usually given. If you then suffer a second bout you will often be prescribed with prophylactic medication to stop future attacks. These medications act to reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood.

Diet and exercise:

If you have gout, you can reduce your risks of developing diabetes, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. It is equally important to drink enough water and get the proper amount of rest your body needs. These are tips that anyone can put into practice to stay in optimal health.

Article Source: http://myartsubmit.com

Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com - A free learning community site where you can learn more about gout. You can follow the links to find more related articles such as what is gout and natural gout treatment.