Gout is a type of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, leading to painful uric acid crystals in joints. It can be treated with dietary changes and medication, and is caused by purine-rich foods.
Gout is considered a form of arthritis, as sufferers mainly experience excruciating pain in the joints, most often the joints of the big toe and foot. The formation of gout is directly linked to an overabundance of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels rise, crystals form and collect in the base joint of the sufferer’s big toe. These uric acid crystals are quite painful, especially when they lodge deep in the joint. Added to the suffering of this condition is secondary skin inflammation, with increased sensitivity, redness and swelling.
People with gout usually experience short attacks that sometimes last several days or weeks. Just like those with kidney stones, sufferers can be asymptomatic for several years between attacks. Uric acid crystals are also responsible for a form of kidney stones. Gout can become chronic over time, which means the sufferer must take daily medications to prevent the onset of major symptoms and extreme pain.
Gout is usually treated through dietary changes and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). During an attack, a doctor may inject prescription NSAIDs directly into the affected joint, along with a drug designed specifically to reduce the size of uric acid crystals. The use of aspirin for pain relief is strongly discouraged. An over-the-counter NSAID like ibuprofen can relieve pain, but it won’t mask it completely.
At one time in history, gout was seen as a disease of the wealthy, as the foods that cause it were mostly available to wealthier citizens. Research has since shown that the main culprit of its formation is an organic substance called purine. Foods with high levels of purines, including organ meats, beans and red meats, contribute to the uric acid level in the body.
Normally, the body can metabolize uric acid and send the excess through the urinary tract for elimination. For some reason, people prone to gout can’t fully process purine-rich foods, leading to crystal formation and a full-blown attack. Dietary treatments to prevent the condition include restrictions on purine-rich foods and the addition of dark red berries, blueberries and celery extracts.
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