by Colette Georgii

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

The gout often called the "King's Disease" is a form of arthritis (metabolic arthritis) that is characterized by pain and inflammation of the joints especially the big toe. Recent research has discovered a gene variant associated with the gout, which points to hereditary factors more conclusively and accounts for the discrepancy in lifestyle often found among gout patients.

Gout is typically attributed to "overindulgent people who drink and eat to excess." However many gout sufferers live a moderate lifestyle. The discovery of the gene variant SLC2A9 may be the key to learning more about gout and finding better ways to treat it. (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/100073.php), March 10, 2008.

SYMPTOMS

The gout is usually acute and comes without warning and often in the middle of the night. It is characterized by intense joint pain usually in the large joint of the big toe but can attack joints in the feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. There can also be inflammation and redness of the affected joints.

CAUSE

Gout is caused by urate crystals that form around the joints. Urate crystals are formed by high levels of uric acid in the blood that have not dissolved and passed through the kidneys as urine. The build-up of uric acid causes sharp needle-like crystals to form in the joint or surrounding tissue.

CONDITIONS THAT PRECIPITATE THE GOUT

There are various conditions that may bring on the gout:

* Overindulgence in alcohol.
* Untreated high blood pressure (hypertension); and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis).
* Thiazide diuretics for hypertension, low doses of aspirin, and anti-rejection drugs used in organ transplant.
* Family history of the gout. Gout occurs more often in men than in women; and around the ages of 40 to 50 years. In women the gout may appear after menopause, so usually at a later age. Men typically have higher levels of uric acid than women.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Gout is usually treated with medications. There are three types of medications currently used to treat gout: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can be purchased as OTC medications (Ibuprofen such as Advil and Motrin; and Naproxen such as Aleve), Colchicine, and Steroids.

THE GOUT DIET

You may be able to avoid an attack of the gout by following a well-balanced gout diet, losing weight, and avoiding foods associated with gout such as organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc), anchovies, herring, mackerel, asparagus, and mushrooms.

The gout diet should consist of less red meat and seafood (5 to 6 ounces per day), no alcoholic beverages or no more than 2 drinks per day for men and one drink for women, and low-fat dairy with more complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads. Drink plenty of water. Coffee, vitamin C, and Cherries (also other dark skinned fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes, and raspberries) are associated with lower gout risk.

If you experience symptoms of the gout, get medical attention. Also before going on your gout diet or using any medications, check with your doctor.

Reference:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/govt/DS00 090

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