What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis where there is an increase in uric acid in the body fluids and the uric acid crystals from that concentration go to the joints, kidneys, and elsewhere through the tissues. Uric acid crystals will cause inflammation and tissue damage where they deposit. There is a decrease in mobility and an increase in pain where the gout is centralizing. Gout typically affects the big toe in 50% of first time attacks. It will affect the big toe in 90% of patients at one time in their illness. Strangely, 7% of those having a first attack will never have another gout attack after that.

Gout can be triggered by:
alcohol excess
surgery
crash dieting
chemotherapy
certain food overindulgences
sudden or severe illness
joint injuries

Gout is classified into two categories: primary gout and secondary gout. Primary gout occurs in 90% of all cases and comes from usually an unknown source. Secondary gout accounts for the other 10% and comes from the increase in uric acid coming from a different underlying illness.

Gout has its main focus in uric acid. Reducing the concentration of uric acid in the body and promoting the release of uric acid via diet, medicines, and/or other therapies is the way to diminish gout’s symptoms. Uric acid is a highly insoluble molecule and the lower the body temperature the higher the chance of a deposit.

Diet to where you eliminate alcohol, eat low purine foods, and lower your carbohydrate and fat intake, is the first line of gout defense. Increasing your water intake can both dilute the concentration of uric acid in the body and urine, and will increase elimination of the acid from the body.

If you are showing pain and inflammation in a joint, especially at night after a big meal, see your doctor for possible gout. Gout is more prevalent in overweight and sedentary people than in healthy active people. Exercise and movement can help play a role in the lessening of symptoms or the decreasing of chances to get gout.

For more information:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090
www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/gout.asp