Gout: Are You at Risk?
I can recall a conversation among adults once when I was a child concerning a family member of some friends of my parents. I can vividly remember them discussing his big toe and that he couldn’t even bear the weight of a sheet on top of it.
Frankly I did not understand even a single part of that disease. But I was very confused and afraid even to think how much this disease will hurt.
Known as a “rich man’s disease,” gout is a form of arthritis whose symptoms tend to present suddenly and without warning, the first attack typically being the joint below the big toe.
Symptoms include red, tender, swollen and hot joints, ligaments and tendons of the toes, feet, hands, ankles and knees. The attack of gout is generally most painful for several hours up to 24 hours after onset.
After the first attack, it will follow up it with more regular attacks, with more pain and this time on more joints. Generally, people who are attacked by gout will be in pain for many days and in some cases the pain will for many weeks.
High content of uric acid in the blood is the reason for gout. Crystals that are sharp starts depositing in joints, ligaments and tendons. In rare phenomenon very little content of uric acid will also create the same symptoms.
Men typically report symptoms of gout more often than women and tend to suffer attacks of gout at a younger age. Women tend to report the condition with much greater frequency after menopause.
What puts one at risk for gout? Sometimes (less than 15%) of cases are due to lifestyle. Alcohol consumption can impair the kidney’s ability to remove excess uric acid. Additionally, eating organ meat (especially red meat) and seafood can contribute to higher levels of uric acid.
Gout is also formed by Atherosclerosis and diabetes. High blood pressure is also a cause which can bring gout.
Gout is also a result of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Alternatively obesity also contributes to high blood pressure and diabetes.
Medications are generally prescribed for the first attack and may be necessary to prevent follow-up attacks. Health and lifestyle changes are generally recommended, especially if one is to try to forgo medicine and its accompanying side effects.
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About the Author
Christian Goodman is a most known health researcher and the author of several revolutionary natural health alternative ways. One of his most known breakthroughs is his program containing all natural exercises for high blood pressure. You can know more about Christian on his Natural Health Blog.