Gout is recognized as one of the leading causes of painful, disabling, chronic arthritis. Gout is a disorder of uric-acid metabolism, and is just one of over 150 different diseases referred to as arthritis (any condition which causes inflammation, pain and swelling in and around the joints). Your GP may therefore be unable to make a firm diagnosis straight away, and you may have to be referred for further tests.
Gout symptoms include pain and swelling and can come on without any warning. Gout attacks frequently start at night.
Many people have the impression that the curse of gout is an entirely self-inflicted condition suffered by glutton and over indulgence, just like royals and the aristocracy of old, this however is is not the whole story as we now know.
Gout is characterised by sudden, burning pain and swelling and is more common in men than in women. Gout often attacks the big toe.
Gout is generally more severe in those whose initial symptoms appear before age 30. The coexistence of hypertension , diabetes, or kidney disease can make for a much more serious condition.
Gout is a chronic condition caused by an uncontrolled metabolic disorder, hyperuricemia, which leads to the deposition of mono sodium urate (uric acid) crystals in tissue around the joint. Hyperuricemia means too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is the by product of purine nucleotide catabolism .
Studies indicate that almost 1% of the adult population may experience symptoms of gout at some time in their lives. Frequent attacks of gout, left untreated can lead to joint deformity and in some cases damage to other organs.
Treating Gout
Many would describe gout as an incurable disease, as they would with most diseases associated with arthritis, and this may be true if taken literally, however if we treat the underlying issues contributing to gout, then all symptoms of gout can be irradiated. There are medical, dietary, alternative, and lifestyle approaches to treating gout (or the underlying contributing factors of gout).
Modern medicine encourage the use of anti-inflammatory and pain killing drugs, however due to their toxicity these drugs often add to the problem, and can worsen gout in the long term. Natural anti-oxidants combined with a couple of simple life changes will relieve gout quickly and safely. Many of these remedies are freely available, use them in the right combination and you will see dramatic results.
