Dear Doc,
I don’t hear about gout nowadays. Is it still stirring? I used to hear about it before in old men? Do women get it too?- Alphonse
Dear Alphonse,
Gout unfortunately is still present. It is much more common in men than women. Gout is caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint or tendons leading to inflammation and therefore pain. Gout is associated predominantly with diet and some genetic contribution.
Gout is a form of arthritis with red, swollen and very painful joints. The big toe is usually affected, and it occurs suddenly, usually within less than 12 hours unlike the typical arthritis such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which are more chronic and develop over time.
Gout is more common in overweight individuals and it has been shown to be linked with consumption of sweetened beverages and also alcohol, specifically beer. In addition, it is associated with high consumption of meats.
Diet changes are very helpful, these include avoiding beer, sweets and dairy. It is also highly recommended to decrease intake of meat and certain seafoods such as shrimp and lobster. There is also appropriate medical treatment with drugs that give pain relief.
