Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs due to high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. In large quantities, uric acid is difficult to eliminate through the process of excretion and tends to accumulate and deposit at different levels of the body. Uric acid crystals cause inflammation, pain, sourness and swelling of the joints. Gout can also affect skin and soft tissue such as tendons and muscles, decreasing their flexibility and integrity.
Renal insufficiency and metabolic problems are also considered to be causes of gout. Genetic problems and chronic anemia are other factors that facilitate the development of gout. Research results indicate that obesity is another cause of gout, as there are many overweight people suffering from different types of arthritis. Excessive weight contributes to the development of gout too, as the bodies of overweight people seem to secrete more uric acid. People with weight problems are more predisposed to injuries at the level of the joints when suffering from gout.
Age is a determinant factor in the development of gout, as people over 50 are more likely to be affected by the disease than young adults or children. An interesting aspect of gout is that it mostly affects men.
Gout is believed to have a pronounced hereditary character, as the disease is known to be transmissible from one generation to another. Statistics indicate that some people who suffer from gout have a family history of the disease.
Due to the fact that there is no specific treatment for gout, it is very important to take steps in preventing the disease from occurring. An appropriate diet, good exercise and a healthy lifestyle play very important roles in the prevention and treatment of gout. Although smoking and the consumption of alcohol aren’t considered to be causes of gout, they considerably aggravate the symptoms of the disease.
The foods that are believed to cause gout contain high levels of saturated fats or are very rich in purines. When the body synthesizes purine, it releases a lot of uric acid. It is best to reduce the amount of foods that contain purine, such as organ meats or fish. Some vegetables and dairy products also contain a lot of purines.
Foods that are considered to be appropriate for people who suffer from gout are green vegetables, fruits, low-fat milk, cereals, and chicken meat. Drinking right amounts of water is known to help the body in the process of eliminating the excess of uric acid. Therefore, it is advised to drink at least 2 liters of water each day to make sure that the surplus of uric acid is properly excreted from the body.
Gout or gouty arthritis is a disease that affects especially the joints. Its cause is the surplus of uric acid in the body along with the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in tissues. Painful joints are the most important symptoms that can be seen in people with gout. The fact that the uric acid produced by the body deposits properly in extremities with lower temperatures explains why the most affected parts of the body are the joint between the foot and the big toe, arms and hands.
In order to prevent gout all kind of diets are recommended. If you have a healthy life problems should not occur. For that the main condition is to avoid as much as possible the high purine foods. For people who already developed gout these types of meals may cause a high production of the uric acid in the body, more than the body can eliminate. After that the excess of uric acid will deposit in the joints or tissues causing pain.
Beside foods high in purines, not recommended are also sea foods. Along with beer the sea foods are the most unrecommended foods for a person with gout.
Talking about things that might help people with gout we have to mention vitamin C and propolis. Dark berries also contain chemicals that help lowering the uric acid level and reduce the inflammations.
Alcohol consumption is not recommended for people with gout either, because it causes uric acid production.
There are a few factors that might lead to gout development. One of them is genetics. About 20 % of the people with gout have at least one similar case in their family.
Another problem is age. Gout is usually seen in men past 40. At this age gout might be associated with obesity, high blood pressure or even alcohol use. Children a less exposed to gout because of their low levels of uric acid.
As I mentioned earlier men are more prone to develop gout. Women can develop gout too but especially in menopause. So if men may develop gout before the age of 50, most of the women will be affected after that age.
Alcohol consumption is associated with gout in younger people. Drinking is going to affect these people more than it affects the older ones.
If patients are using diuretics the risk to develop gout is a high one. Niacin, cyclosporine and even aspirin are medicines that can affect the uric acid levels in the body and may lead, if a high dose is taken, to gout.
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