Gout attacks are extremely painful and do not get any easier to endure. Your physician may prescribe certain medications to help control your gout -- or at least to help you get through the 5 to 10 days of each severe attack. You may be looking for virtually any other type of substance that may offer help in your chronic illness. For this reason, you may consider taking chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine, a combination of substances that may help your condition. Do not start such a treatment until you consult with your doctor.
Gout
Several types of arthritis exist including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, among others. All of them cause pain in your joints due to inflammation. Unlike other forms of arthritis, gout does not usually cause continual pain. When you consume certain foods that contain high levels of purines, your kidneys may have trouble removing all the uric acid, which is the waste product of these substances. Uric acid can build up in your body, primarily in your joints. As it concentrates in certain areas, it turns to sharp crystals. These can produce inflammation in your joints, making it very difficult to move them without severe pain. You may take daily medications to eliminate or decrease your gout attacks, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, to reduce the pain during attacks. All these medications can produce side effects.
Chondroitin Sulphate and Glucosamine
Chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine are forms of sugar. When you take them as a combined supplement, they may help to lubricate your joints. Some people use the combination to treat forms of arthritis, specifically to reduce the inflammation that causes pain. For this reason, you may want to use chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine supplements in place of NSAIDs, but you should consult with your doctor first.
Diabetes Side Effects
Because chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine are forms of sugar, taking them when you suffer from diabetes can cause problems. These substances can elevate your blood sugar levels, which may cause hyperglycemia. Your practitioner will want you to monitor your glucose levels carefully and probably more often if you do take this combination supplement. If chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine do raise your glucose levels, your doctor may change your diabetes medications, increase doses or recommend you stop using the supplement.
Blood Thinner Problems
Chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine supplements also may cause side effects if you have cardiovascular problems. These substances can interfere with medications that help prevent blood clots such as warfarin. You should only use the supplement with your physician’s permission.
Other Side Effects
The use of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine supplements may produce some non-serious side effects when you begin your regimen. These kinds of side effects typically end as your body grows accustomed to them. You may feel nauseous when you start using chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine, or you may develop a short bout of diarrhea. You may also feel the uncomfortable sensation of indigestion or heartburn due to the supplement. These side effects should feel mild, but consult your doctor if they worry you.
