by Louy Castonguay

Created on: August 19, 2009

Gout A Joint disease

Gout is a mighty crippler to those who don't know how to control it. Physicians don't all understand the underlying problems and issues and go to the pharmacy for most people. Allopurinol, which limits the uric acid production, is the first 'go-to' for doctors. Some others use Probenecid, which helps the kidneys excrete the uric acid. Also occasionally used are NSAIDS or steroids like prednisone, to treat the inflammation.

Gout, most often genetic, but sometimes resulting from trauma or medical conditions such as extreme high blood pressure or hypercholesteremia (elevated cholesterol times 10), occurs when too much of certain foods are ingested and the body can't ride itself of resulting uric acid. The excess then deposits itself in the joints, usually big toes, but sometimes knees, fingers, elbows or other places. The joint then becomes swollen, inflamed and very painful. Think of having sand in your bendy places, and once the irritation starts, it's hard to calm it down.

Gout, usually a man's disease can affect up to ten percent of the population, and of those about ten percent are women. Is it that it is under diagnosed in women? Are women tougher and endure it better?

Experience, diet classes and conversations with other suffers has indicated that sometimes not just one food is to blame, but combinations of certain foods can trigger and attack.

The first rule is to drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, or keep alcohol use to a bare minimum. Now the second rule is like the first. Drink, but not alcoholic beverages. Foods to avoid include, but are not limited to the following list. Scientifically, avoid foods that have purines in them.

Excess of red meat.

Shrimp

Organ meats

Hot Dogs (Unless kosher, they are full of organ meats and filler, often bean or cereal related)

Beans (including Soy and soy products)

Peanuts (but not usually other nuts)

The B list is surprising

Oatmeal

Corn

Tomatoes

There is a C list, but mainly, it is what triggers the individual.

Alcohol is not a trigger, by itself, but it prevents the liver and kidneys from processing other things, because the body treats alcholol as a poison and gives it first priority in metabolism.

One person may trigger when eating corn and tomatoes in combination, or corn and blueberries. Someone else may trigger when eating wheat cereals or oat cereals. Some trigger when eating fats, or even certain types of fats.

Finally, certain drugs sometimes trigger an attack, so pay attention to what you've ingested over the past twenty-four hours. Some drugs intended for other purposes help control gout. Some drugs intended for other persons help trigger gout.

Definitive diagnoses can easily be had. There are three methods. The doctor can order some fluid be drawn from the affected joint during an attack to check for the uric acid crystals. A blood test will quickly reveal the presence of excess uric acid, for some. Some sufferers, though, don't test positive by this method. The easiest is a 24 hour urine collection. Just collect your output for 24 hours, being sure to include the 1st of the day, when getting up, and a lab can identify the crystals. In some individuals, the excess of purines is so thick that the urine looks almost opaque, cloudy and sort of milky colored instead of yellow and clear. Very often, during or while clearing an attack, the urine will smell like cooking beans.

If you suspect that you have gout symptoms, talk to your doctor. Then talk to your nutritionist.

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