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Gout
1. GOUT
What Is Gout? Gout occurs most commonly in foods contain more purines than
G
out is a disorder that results the big toe because uric acid is sensi- others and have been associated
from the build-up of uric acid tive to temperature changes. At cooler with an increase of uric acid, which
in the tissues or a joint—most often temperatures, uric acid turns into leads to gout. You may be able to
the joint of the big toe. An attack of crystals. Since the toe is the part of reduce your chances of getting a
gout can be miserable, marked by the the body that is furthest from the gout attack by limiting or avoiding
following symptoms: heart, it’s also the coolest part of the following foods and beverages:
• Intense pain that comes on the body—and, thus, the most likely shellfish, organ meats (kidney, liver,
suddenly—often in the middle target of gout. However, gout can etc.), red wine, beer, and red meat.
of the night or upon arising affect any joint in the body.
• Redness, swelling, and warmth The tendency to accumulate Diagnosis
over the joint—all of which are uric acid is often inherited. Other In diagnosing gout, the foot and ankle
signs of inflammation factors that put a person at risk for surgeon will take your personal and
developing gout include: high blood family history and examine the
What Causes Gout? pressure, diabetes, obesity, surgery, affected joint. Laboratory tests and
Gout attacks are caused by deposits chemotherapy, stress, and certain x-rays are sometimes ordered to
of crystallized uric acid in the joint. medications and vitamins. For determine if the inflammation is
Uric acid is present in the blood and example, the body’s ability to remove caused by something other than gout.
eliminated in the urine, but in people uric acid can be negatively affected by
who have gout, uric acid accumulates taking aspirin, some diuretic medica- Treatment
and crystallizes in the joints. Uric tions (“water pills”), and the vitamin Initial treatment of an attack of gout
acid is the result of the breakdown of niacin (also called nicotinic acid). While typically includes the following:
purines, chemicals that are found gout is more common in men aged • Medications. Prescription
naturally in our bodies and in food. 40 to 60 years, it can occur in younger medications or injections are
Some people develop gout because men and also occurs in women. used to treat the pain, swelling,
their kidneys have difficulty eliminat- Consuming foods and beverages and inflammation.
ing normal amounts of uric acid, while that contain high levels of purines • Dietary restrictions. Foods and
others produce too much uric acid. can trigger an attack of gout. Some beverages that are high in purines