Iceman contains a variety of potent herbs celebrated over the centuries for their anti-inflammatory properties. Chiefly among them, menthol, a local anaesthetic that suppresses mild pain. Also called Peppermint Camphor, menthol has been trusted by ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilisations since time immemorial.

It allows topical preparations to permeate through the surface of the skin by replacing the pain message with a cooling sensation. It also causes the dilation of the blood vessels that carry blood to the joints, thereby increasing blood flow and reducing swelling. The carefully selected herbs are blended into a pleasant-smelling, non-sticky gel, which uses “the cold therapy concept” to effectively alleviate localized soreness and discomfort.

A complex form of arthritis, gout is characterised by severe attacks of pain, tenderness and redness in the joints, usually at the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the base of the big toe (also known as Podagra).

Signs and Symptoms of Gout

The symptoms of gout usually appear at night and without warning. The major signs include:

                                                                                     • Intense joint pain

                                                                                     • Lingering discomfort

                                                                                     • Inflammation and redness

                                                                                     • Limited ability to move

Apart from the big toe, other joints such as knees, heels, wrists and fingers may also be affected by gout. Other symptomatology due to elevated uric acid levels can also result in various complications including the precipitation of crystals in the kidneys leading to kidney stones and urate nephropathy.

Diagnosis of Gout

A number of other arthritis types can display symptoms of gout, so proper detection and diagnosis is critical. The key to diagnosis is identifying the distinguishing crystals. This can be carried out with the physician inserting a needle into the affected joint and examining the extracted fluid under a microscope. However, it must be noted that people who are not suffering from gout may also display high levels of uric acid in their bodies. Dual energy computed tomography and ultrasounds can also be used to detect early signs of gout.

Foods to Avoid

If you have been diagnosed with gout, there are a number of dietary restrictions to follow to avoid further deterioration. Foremost, it is important to follow a calorie-reduced diet in order to lose weight and avoid obesity. Other changes to follow include:

    • Low saturated fat diet

    • Low consumption of red meat and seafood

    • Consumption of low-fat dairy products

    • Low consumption of beer and other liquor

    • Low consumption of high fructose or sweetened beverages