Get Educated
What exactly is gout? Gout is one of the most common and oldest forms of arthritis that can cause extreme pain in the areas affected. Who is at risk for this cruel visitor?
Genetics/family history are risk factors for developing gout. Up to 18% of people with gout have a family history associated with gout. More men than women have gout. Women generally do not develop gout until they are postmenopausal. Adults develop gout more frequently than children.
Consuming purine-rich foods and alcohol on a regular basis can be a risk factor for developing gout. Beer has the highest purine levels of all alcohol. Some common foods with high purine levels are hotdogs, bacon, wild game, poultry, some seafoods, and peas and legumes.
Obesity can trigger gout as the larger your body, the more uric acid it has to excrete.
Ouch – Why?
There's a reason the word "ow" is heard in the middle of gout. It can be unbelievably painful. Why is that? Well, the culprit is uric acid. Your body either makes too much uric acid or it cannot excrete it from the body in large enough quantities.
Uric acid is a by-product of purines being broken down by the body's digestive and waste system. Typically the uric acid is dissolved in the blood and also flushed out through the kidneys.
When uric acid levels are high, uric deposits move to the extremities of the body causing an inflammatory reaction in and around the tendon areas.
This inflammatory reaction is due to the body producing white blood cells to combat the painful uric acid intruder, attacking in the form of needle-like crystals, which tear into the cartilage between your joints.
Useful Tips
After you've had a gout outbreak, you know you don't want another. Here are a few basic tips for avoiding a repeat. Avoid food and alcohols high in purine. Keep stress levels low. Avoid carrying a lat of extra weight, and when you do lose weight, do it sensibly as opposed to drastic dieting. Stay protected or ready for extreme weathers.
Taking Control
During a gouty arthritis outbreak, you can pray for an end to the suffering, or you can get practical and take some anti-inflammatory medication. Medications for gout are available with your doctor's prescription. One of the most popular gout medications is colchicine, the generic equivalent of the name brand Colcrys.
Colchicine tablets prevent or relieve gout attacks by reducing inflammation. Colchicine dosages for gout vary: some people take small amounts of it regularly for months or years, while others take large amounts of colchicine during a short period of time (several hours). You can buy colchicine tablets online from any licensed reputable Canadian pharmacy.