Publisher's Synopsis
A kind of arthritis called gout is typified by the abrupt onset of excruciating pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints, most frequently the big toe. The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the tissues and joints is the cause. Purines are naturally occurring compounds found in some diets and are broken down by the body to produce uric acid.
The body creates too much uric acid or is unable to eliminate it effectively, which causes crystals of excess uric acid to build up in joints and cause excruciating pain and inflammation. If treatment is not received, gout attacks may become more frequent and involve more joints. They can also be intermittent, with intervals of remission.
A diet heavy in purine-rich foods, binge drinking, obesity, certain medical conditions (including renal disease and hypertension), and a family history of gout are risk factors for developing gout. Men are more likely than women to get gout, and the condition tends to become more common as people age.
Dietary adjustments, painkillers, and uric acid-lowering medicines are all part of the management of gout. Persons suffering from gout can lessen the frequency of excruciating attacks by managing their triggers and leading a healthy lifestyle.
