The Truth About Gout: How Does it Affect Your Life ?

Gout is a very common medical condition that has been the topic of discussion for ages. It is often associated to immoderate, and often extravagant, intake of food and alcohol. A famous person who suffered from this sickness is Benjamin Franklin.

Gout is a condition where excessive uric acid forms crystals which deposit themselves on tissues of the body, mostly near joints. These deposits induce the tissues to swell, giving a painful, inflamed joint. This attack is most commonly referred to as arthritis. A Gout attack is more painful than the typical arthritis attack, though. Once the kidney is unable to flush away the excessive uric acid in the body, the condition will become chronic. At this time, the small crystal deposits will eventual form into lumps around the joint, which intensifies the pain. Simultaneously, crystal deposits also form inside the kidney, which eventually becomes kidney stones.

Men are nine times more likely to be affected with gout than women. Men can be infected as early as puberty age while occurrence in women is likely after the menopausal stage. Among people already suffering from arthritis, Gout affects approximately 5% of them. In the United States alone, around one million people are infected with it.

Vulnerability from Gout varies from person to person. If you are overweight by 30 pounds, consume alcohol regularly, rapidly gained weight during adolescence, have high blood pressure, and have been experiencing kidney problems, then you are viable to this sickness. Furthermore, you may be taking in some medication which has a tendency to increase the levels of uric acid in your body.

What are the ways to determine if you are developing or already have Gout? Usually, Gout is evident in the joint of the big toe, but it can also manifest in other joints such as the fingers, wrist, elbows, knees, ankles and heels. When experiencing an attack, swelling of the joint is apparent and there is intense pain. This bulge is very sensitive even to the slightest touch. Sometimes, the attack is comprised with fever especially if it is acute.

If one is established to be prone to this sickness, how then can he prevent it? Maintaining proper diet is the key. Protein increases the level of uric acid in the body, so having a low protein diet is important. You must lessen your beer and alcohol consumption. Keep away from some fish such as the anchovies, herring, kippers and sardines in oil. Organ meats such as liver and kidneys are also a no-no. Even soups with meat extracts, such as gravy, are to be avoided. Mushrooms, cauliflowers, spinach and asparagus are among those that you should refrain from adding in your next meal. Watching what you eat and eating regular meals at proper amounts is the best way of preventing the development of gout.

References : http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/gout.html