Gout

Uric acid is a normal product of digestion. It usually is eliminated by being passed out through the urine. If there is a sudden change in the amount of uric acid in the body, gout may develop. Uric acid crystallizes, and those crystals become lodged in the body. When they are lodged in the joints, the surrounding tissue swells up and causes pain.

A first attack of gout will usually be followed by a second, sometimes months later. After the second attack, the gout may occur more frequently, occur in other joints, or last longer each time.

• Extreme pain at base of big toe
• Pain in knee
• Pain in fingers, toes, elbow, hand, foot, ankle or shoulder
• Pain lasts a few days
• Joint swollen, tender, hot, or red
• Skin over joint shiny and dry
• Even the slightest weight on the joint hurts
• Fever up to 101F (sometimes)

• Alcohol consumption
• High-protein diet (especially large amounts of anchovies, liver, kidney, sweetbreads, or sardines)
• Diuretic drugs (water pills)
• Some antibiotics
• Blood diseases like polycythemia and leukemia
• Male over 60
• Family history of gout
• Obesity
• Thyroid problems
• Kidney disease
• Anemia
• Hyperlipidemia
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Trauma
• Surgery
• Radiation treatment

• Do NOT take aspirin. It can make the gout worse by slowing down the excretion of uric acid.
  
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. This helps the body get rid of extra uric acid.
  
• Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of uric acid.
  
• If you are overweight, see your doctor about a safe weight-loss program.
  
• DON’T crash diet, since quick weight loss may bring on gout.
  
• Avoid organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbreads) and other protein-rich foods.
  
• Use warm or cold compresses for joint pain.
  
• Make a frame to raise bedsheets off any painful joint.

• You have symptoms of gout with pain in one joint for several days straight or if during treatment you have a fever of 101F, diarrhea or vomiting, or if symptoms continue for more than 3 days during treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop.

• Get medication for pain
• Control joint inflammation
• Control metabolic problems

• Drink a lot of water
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Limit consumption of organ meats and high-protein foods
• Avoid other risk factors as much as possible