Gout Is No Longer Something Only A Rich Man Gets   by Sandy Rutherforde

in Health / Diseases and Conditions    (submitted 2012-01-11)

Possibly of small comfort to all those living in poverty at that time, gout was once known as a rich man's disease. In fact it was extremely uncommon that it would ever impact your typical pauper and instead it would be people having a substantial stomach who could very well afford to eat and drink very well that would largely get this condition.

In the modern world, on the other hand, this particular nickname can in reality be a little bit misleading. In fact, only about 12% of instances of gout are a result of diet and instead a genetic disposition to the condition will be the most significant underlying factor. Of course, much like quite a few disorders connected with genetic inheritance, gout has grown to be far more prevalent through the years and it is for that reason not governed by lifestyle alone.

In the course of this article, we'll be addressing several of the frequently asked questions about the condition such as those focused on gout symptoms and gout treatment methods.

What is Gout?

So, we now are aware that gout doesn't just affect the rich and portly, but just what is gout and why does it happen? Well, despite frequently being considered a unique condition of its own, gout is actually a form of arthritis and in the very same way is characterized by often really painful joint inflammation.

This swelling is the consequence of a build up of uric acid within the blood that's generally passed through your body in your urine and feces. This accumulation occasionally becomes too high and consequently crystallizes on joints and adjacent areas, eventually causing serious attacks of gout.

Gout Symptoms

As pointed out above, hands down the most familiar of all gout symptoms is inflammation of the joints, and most often this occurs in the small joint of the big toe. This joint will commonly become hot, swollen, red and very sensitive to the touch meaning that walking is very uncomfortable.

Symptoms might last for periods as short as a few hours to a couple of weeks. In more severe cases where pain is most acute, other gout symptoms could include fever and also a basic feeling of malaise.

Gout Treatment Methods

There's very little doubt that among the most effective methods of gout treatment is a modification in lifestyle with the aim of cutting down the consumption of purine rich foods (these are changed into uric acid) in a diet. Such foods consist of shellfish and offal (basically, liver); indeed, in the case of the latter, pate is actually a recognized food linked to gout. It is also very advisable to reduce alcohol consumption and soft drinks which are high in sugar.

Since gout is a persistent problem, it's likely that even with the best intentions sufferers will still go through attacks every now and then. Upon such an attack a cold pack should be carefully applied to the affected area for around twenty minutes. Also, either over-the-counter (Ibuprofen) or prescribed (Diclofenac) anti-inflammatory medications will need to be used in recommended amounts.

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Are you suffering from gout? Be sure to visit Patient.co.uk for information on gout treatment and symptoms.