All About Gout: Beyond The Stigma

Gout is one of those medical ailments shrouded in mystery and plagued by misconception. You may think that it's a disease brought about by over eating and excessive drinking. Gout has carried this stigma for many years, and those who suffer with it often feel too embarrassed to seek proper treatment.

While gout is quite prevalent in today's society, few people realize that it is actually a form of arthritis. Gout is a disease that is characterized by a high degree of centralized pain in a particular joint. The condition causes swelling, stiffness, intense pain and a warm feeling in the affected area. In about seventy-five percent of all cases, gout will present itself in the big toe.

Contributors and Causes

There is uncertainty as to the exact cause of gout, but scientists agree that the root of the problem may lie in the body's inability to metabolize a naturally occurring substance called purine. The human body naturally metabolizes purine into uric acid, but people with gout tend to have increased levels of uric acid production in their systems.

The inability to properly excrete the uric acid from the body is another factor that may contribute to the development of gout. The actual problems caused by the gout condition are directly linked to the crystallization of uric acid within the body. This accounts for the swelling and intense pain experienced by those suffering with the disease.

The development of gout remains at the center of much controversy. Many believe that gout is caused by excessive or ongoing alcohol consumption, coupled with improper diet and inactivity. Those with a diet low in purine-neutralizing substances such as cherries, strawberries and celery may be at a higher risk of gout development.

If you do face the risk of gout, you should avoid high-purine foods such as alcohol, scallops, sardines, anchovies, and diet soda. All of these foods possess high levels of purine, so they should be avoided in your efforts to lessen your risk of developing gout.

Treatments

When the agonizing pain of gout strikes, there are only a few options available. The pain can be so intense that even a light blanket draped over the feet brings about terrible suffering. Soaking in a warm bath can help to increase blood circulation in the affected area and help to reduce the swelling. This can also lead to a decreased amount of crystallization of the uric acids that cause the disease.

One common misconception that should be avoided is applying an ice pack to the area. While some people believe that this can decrease the pain and swelling of gout, it actually aggravates the problem, as lower temperatures aid in the crystallization of uric acids in the body.

When discussing the problem with gout with your doctor, there are a number of solutions that he or she may suggest to aid your suffering. Some common recommendations include a drug named indomethacin. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed. NSAIDs are used to decrease the inflammation of the affected area, and they provide some degree of pain relief.

Gout attacks will come and go, and the condition can flare up without warning. Your doctor may recommend allopurinol, a drug which helps to reduce the body's production of uric acid and limits the amount of crystallization that may occur.

There is nothing embarrassing about having gout, and you owe it to yourself to get fast relief. If you think that you may have gout, it's important to consult your doctor to discuss possible treatment methods.

Article Source: Main Articles

Writer Ambrose Hutson is a columnist for several web sites, on healthy eating and healthy family topics.

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