What is Gout?

Answer 1

Gout (also called metabolic arthritis) is a disease due to an inborn disorder of the uric acid metabolism. In this condition monosodium urate crystals are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints and in the particular tissue like tendons. This provokes an inflammatory reaction of these tissues. These deposits often increase in size and burst through the skin to form sinuses discharging a chalky white material.

Normally, the human bloodstream only carries small amounts of uric acid. However, if the blood has an elevated concentration of uric acid, uric acid crystals are deposited in the cartilage and tissue surrounding joints. Elevated blood levels of uric acid can also result in uric kidney stones.

Answer 2

Arthritic gout can occur at any time after puberty until the age of seventy-five. More common in men than women, arthritic gout can cause intense pain in the joints that can last for a few minutes or a few days. Those with gout should see their doctor to see if there are any medications that may prevent or help with the pain in case of another attack. Most people who have gout will have pain a few times a year. This can vary from person to person based on their lifestyle and heredity.

Symptoms of arthritic gout include swelling, pain when the joints are moved, fatigue, and muscle soreness. Many times gout can be combated by changing one’s diet and exercise regimen. This means that a person will have to eat less meat and more fruits and vegetables. Meat has been known to cause uric acid build-up in the body which can cause arthritic gout. Other times the body will produce too much of this acid, which can also cause gout. By modifying one’s diet and exercise levels, one will be able to take control of the gout and hopefully limit the number of attacks per year.

Many people live with arthritic gout. Some may receive medication for it, while others will change their diet. If the gout is not a major problem, some people will just ignore it and deal with the pain when it occurs. The pain can be intense and could last for a few days. It is important to recognize the symptoms of arthritic gout and understand that there are ways to help prevent further attacks. Talking with a doctor who can offer advice and medical options is one way to prevent gout from becoming a bigger problem. People who are active about their health issues will lead a more healthy life and will be in less pain than those who do not.

For more information on the different kinds of Gout Causes, Gout Natural Remedy or Gout Diet, please visit the following website: http://gout.mygeneralknowledge.com/

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Gout, also called metabolic arthritis, is a disease caused by uric acid build-up (people with gout are not able to metabolize the normal levels of uric acid in the blood and it begins to build up). In this condition, the crystals formed by the excess uric acid collect in the joints and tissue in the body (tendons, cartilage) and this causes the affected areas to swell and be extremely painful (one of the most commonly affected areas in the body for people with gout is the big toe, for some reason!). Sometimes the swollen areas can burst, releasing a white chalky substance. People with gout also frequently get kidney stones, which can also be excrutiating.

Treatment for gout usually involves anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, for example, or stronger medications) and icing the swollen areas. There are a variety of other drugs that can also help with the condition and its symptoms, so see a doctor if you think you or someone you know may be suffering from gout.

By the way,soy products like tofu do NOT cause gout. However, people with gout are usually encouraged to eat diets that are low in protein, as purines, which are found in protein-rich foods, can aggrevate the condition. If you have gout, you may want to limit your intake of soy (talk to your doctor about the right diet for you), but eating soy did not CAUSE the condition.

Answer 5

Gout is a form of arthritis that shows up in joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis, and gout, like all of them, is visable due to the inflamation caused by the disease. Check with your doc for pamplets to help explain this condition further or have a chat with them. I don't know where you are, but the 800 # for the North Texas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation is: 1.800.462.6653. Call them and give them your address for free literature on this topic. If you're not in Texas, they USUALLY have an 800 # for MOST states--I truly don't know about other copuntries. Ask them at the number I gave to you--they'll help you. BTW, not to be an "idiot on a stick", even if you don't live in Texas or the US., what difference does it make which location you get the info. from? They will all send the same pamplets and materials except, perhaps, a location in Washington, DC. People can USUALLY get more information there because, I suppose, that's where our nation's capital is--hence, many government offices.The Health and Human Services Help Line is: 1.877.696.6775.Good luck!

Answer 6

What is gout? has been answered well already. Here the docs recommend no red meat! None at all. No Beer! They also list a whole host of other foods to be avoided, like tomatoes etc. Sufferers who abstain from the forbidden foods suffer far fewer bouts of pain. (fancy meds are either not available or far too expensive here) The diet restrictions DO work, but are not fool proof. Besides a lot of people start to feel ok and then, well, I'll just have ....... and of course they regret that the next day! So talk to your doc about dietary control before you start resorting to over kill with drugs. You may also need drugs, but you should never rely only on these, its not good for you, but fantastic for the drug manufacturers.

Answer 7

Gout, also known as metabolic arthritis, is a disease in which uric acid crystals form in the cartilage of joints and tendon tissues. Uric acid build up is actually caused by a genetic defect in metabolism. However, in the past, it was believed that diets rich in kidneys, livers and alcohol, along with inactivity, caused gout.

Answer 8

Gout is an inflammatory attack, usually in joint extremities, but can occur in non-joint tissue as well. Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood. There are 2 types of people who have excess uric acid - those who have a slight defect in kidney performance where the kidneys are not flushing the uric acid out of your blood in adequate amounts, and those who bodies produce excess uric acid that the kidneys can't keep up with.

When uric acid builds up in your body to a certain level, it crystallizes into tens if not hundreds of thousands of tiny needle like structures usually in a joint in your foot (however, gout can occur in your hands, elbows, spine, and just about any soft tissue, though soft tissue attacks are less common that joint attacks). Your immune system then attacks these needle crystals as a foreign body - causing severe swelling. In addition to the pain of swelling, the needle like crystals penetrate the surrounding tissue, and in so doing cause severe pain. After a severe attack, the surface layer of skin around the joint will die and peel off.

As your body accumulates uric acid over time, your tissues will become saturated with uric acid. Your gout attacks will gradually begin to come more frequently and also more severely if left untreated. After enough uric acid has accumulated, your body will start to form Tophi - hard gritty nodules of uric acid deposits. Common places for Tophi to appear - the elbows, hands and feet. They are not harmful of and by themselves, but they can be unsightly and interfere with range of motion for the affected joint.

Treatment: The gout buster is Colchicine. This drug will stop an attack that is in progress. Most common side effect is diarrhea.

The gout preventer: Allopurinol. This is the most prescribed drug to help gout sufferers flush out excess uric acid. There are other drugs available, but Allopurinal is the favored medicine. A good rheumatologist will start you off on a low dose - around 100mg, and after taking uric acid tests over several months, gradually ratchet up the dosage until they find your 'sweet spot', where your blood uric acid levels become normal.

Anti-inflammatory: To control swelling. The most commonly prescribed NSAID for gout attacks is Indocin.

Gout factoids:

80% of gout sufferers are overweight middle aged men.
An untreated gout attack will eventually stop on it's own. Medical science currently does not know why
Eating an excessive amount of Turkey will trigger an attack
Eating a large meal can cause a gout attack, due to uric acid spike
Avoid foods with high uric acid content.
Shrimp has the highest uric acid content of any food
Beer is the worst form of alcohol to consume for gout sufferers. All alcohol should be avoided.
Hydrate. Drink lots and lots of water every day. Dehydration will concentrate uric acid in your blood, bringing on an attack.
Losing weight can help, but not cure gout. The most you can drop your uric acid levels by dieting is 2 points. It's still a healthy thing to do and is recommended.

Answer 9

It's a build up of uric acid in the body......usually causing pain and swelling in ankles and feet.

There are some meds for it, but the patient is also encouraged to drink lots of water.

Answer 10

A painful form of arthritis