by Karen Jones

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Gout is a form of arthritis, caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood. Over time, needle-like crystals can form, eventually leading to a hot, painful swelling of the joints, which take on a red appearance. Toes and finger joints are usually the first to be affected. The symptoms can last for a few days, or even weeks. It is a condition that can be avoided and relieved in most cases.

The uric acid content of blood is essentially the waste product left after purine-rich food has been broken down. High protein foods contain the highest level of purines, including: red meat and offal, seafood, game meats (pheasant, rabbit, venison), and yeast-containing beverages such as beer. It is advisable to ingest these foods in moderation.

A balanced diet containing all essential food types (protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, water) is recommended rather than crash dieting, which could promote further health problems (possibly also triggering a stress-response of elevated uric acid levels. If you are overweight, you should seek to remedy this with a sensible eating regime and regular exercise; drinking water will dilute the uric acid content, and help to reduce the likelihood of further crystals and stones accumulating in the blood stream.

Low-purine food choices include dairy products, fruit, vegetables, potatoes, nuts, pasta, cereals, eggs, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, fats. An immediate action should be to considerably reduce alcohol consumption, and increase the daily intake of other fluids, thus allowing the kidneys to remove any waste products more effectively.

The symptoms of gout can appear suddenly, though the build-up of uric acid in the blood will have been a long-term issue. A painful stabbing sensation in the affected joint will be experienced (often a big toe), which will gradually redden and swell. Even the slightest touch on an affected joint will produce severe pain. If it occurs on a finger, then it would be advisable to remove any rings at this early stage. Treatment is not usually required, other than regular household medication, such as anti-inflammatory pain killers.

The symptoms usually subside within a few days, and should be a warning that a lifestyle or dietary change is required. Sufferers usually tend to be overweight, have a family history of this ailment or regularly drink beer. Children are seldom affected. Occasionally, there may be another underlying factor, such as immobilisation following surgery, which needs to be addressed.

Medical advice should be sought if the symptoms are prolonged, or incidences of gout attacks are experienced frequently. Untreated symptoms over a period of time could lead to permanent joint damage.

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