Know and Recognize Gout and How to Deal With It

Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis and can be extremely painful. It is a disorder of the metabolism of uric acid. It is a waste product circulating in the blood, and it results from the wearing out of substances called purines. When the acid builds up, normally from insufficient elimination in urine, needle like crystals can form in the base of the joint at the base of the toe, although it can strike other areas. It may become flamed and swollen, hot to the touch, and excruciatingly painful. Even just a slight touch causes an unbearable stabbing pain. If left without the proper treatment, a gout attack usually lasts about one week. An attack may not happen again for months or years. If it is not managed well, the time between attacks may get shorter, they may become more painful and the joints can be damaged forever. Sometimes gout can progress into a chronic long term condition.

Gout is one of the most treatable forms of arthritis. The treatment usually focuses on anti-inflammatory drugs in reappearance of very severe attacks. If gout reappears, can it be prevented? Maybe, if the person suffering is aware of the risk factors.

Common threads between sufferers of gout include age, gender, and genetics, with more than half of those with the affliction having some family history of the disease. It affects mainly men, normally between the ages of 40 and 50. Men are 3-4 times more likely than women to suffer from gout.

An encyclopedia of human nutrition said that dietary management of gout no longer seems to be focused on restriction of foods with a high purine content but, on the treatment of metabolic disorders that are connected to gout, obesity, insulin resistance syndrome, and dyslipidemia, or abnormal blood vessels of lipids, such as cholesterol. Some authorities recommend cutting down on foods that contain high amounts of purines, such as yeast, certain fish, and different red meats.

Excess alcohol consumption can inhibit the discharging of uric acid, causing an accumulation.

It has been said that gout is brought on by certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure and chronic conditions like diabetes, high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood, and narrowing of the arteries. Gout is also linked to sudden or severe illness, such as kidney disease. The big toe is a prime target because of its poorer circulation and lower temperature, two conditions that can promote the accumulation of acid.

Some medications will increase your risk of acquiring gout. These include diuretics, aspirin, anti-rejection drugs for organ transplant recipients, and chemotherapy drugs.

Here are a few lifestyle changes gout sufferers can make to lessen the possibility of future attacks:

1. 1
   Gout is a metabolic disorder

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   Keeping yourself at a healthy weight will help relieve some of the stress on your afflicted joints. Reducing the number of calories you eat is the best way to lose weight (but ask your doctor before embarking on any weight loss attempts).

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2. 2
   Don't look to shed a lot of weight too quickly

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   This can eliminate uric acid levels in the blood.

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3. 3
   Stay away from high amounts of animal protein

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   Some recommend a limit of six ounces of lean meat, chicken and fish, a day.

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4. 4
   If you drink alcoholic drinks, do so in moderation

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   If you have a gout attack, it may be wise to stay away from it.

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5. 5
   Drink plenty of liquids

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   These help dilute uric acid and flush it out of the body.

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• This article is not intended to be a medical guide.
• Each sufferer may require personalized medical treatment.
• Don't stop taking prescribed medications, or make major dietary changes without first checking with your doctor.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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