Eliminating Gout Forever

Gout is a type of arthritis that is characterized by sudden burning pain, stiffness and swelling in a joint, often the big toe. The disease is hallmarked by elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, caused by deposits of monosodium urate crystals which accumulate in the joints. It is normal for some uric acid to be present in the blood stream because the body is continually breaking down cells and forming new ones. The risk of gout is higher if the individual is overweight, drinks alcohol or eats food high in purines consistently. Familiar foods such as fish or meats can be high in purines and are precursors of uric acid. Purines are the colorless crystals which metabolize into uric acid, and when the kidneys cannot eliminate enough in the urine, the uric acid level becomes abnormally high.

The cause of gout is too much uric acid in the blood stream forming hard crystals inside the joints. It is a condition which affects men more than women and therefore eliminating gout forever is in their best interest.

Attacks of gout occur without warning often at night, accompanied by severe pain in one or more joints. The joint becomes swollen and the skin reddens and becomes extremely painful to the touch. The disorder most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can also commonly occur in the instep, ankle, knee, wrist and elbow. The first few attacks usually affect only one joint and can last a few days or many weeks before it is resolved. As the crystals dissolve from the joint area, the pain and discomfort will subside normally over a two week period. Some individuals may remain free from another flare-up for many months or years while others may never get another attack for the rest of their lives.

However, if the gout attack is not treated and the disorder progresses the affected joint can be permanently damaged. Severe, chronic gout will cause the joint to become stiff and have limited mobility. Eliminating gout forever is especially critical for those individuals suffering the chronic stage of this condition and experiencing the persistently painful joints, swelling and tenderness common with gout.

Gout is often diagnosed on its symptoms and joint examination. A high uric acid level in the blood will support the diagnosis as well as joint aspiration to pull out fluid in the joint affected. This fluid is sent to the lab and viewed under a polarized microscope. With early diagnosis and treatment and long term dietary changes in lifestyle choices, many individuals will never reach the chronic stage. The changes which are required in eliminating gout forever and to ensure that the chronic stage is never reached are minor compared to the suffering endured by these chronic gout symptoms.

The first step is to relieve the pain and to stop the acute inflammation. Sometimes the same needle used to remove fluid will be used to inject medication to effectively terminate the inflammation caused by urate crystals. The second step is to prevent further attacks. This involves maintaining adequate fluid intake, reducing weight, dietary changes and reduction in alcohol consumption. Long term treatment and prevention is essential for the health of the individual and in eliminating gout forever.

The author, John Donnelly, has spent many hours researching the problems associated with gout, and highly recommends the website below help in your quest for eliminating gout forever.



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