Gout is recognized as one of the leading causes of painful, disabling, chronic arthritis. Gout is a disorder of uric-acid metabolism, and is just one of over 150 different diseases referred to as arthritis (any condition which causes inflammation, pain and swelling in and around the joints). Your GP may therefore be unable to make a firm diagnosis straight away, and you may have to be referred for further tests.

Gout symptoms include pain and swelling and can come on without any warning. Gout attacks frequently start at night.

References to gout go back thousands of years and have normally been labeled as a result of over indulgence, due mainly to the close connection with the wealthy and their rich diet. We now know that gout can attack anyone, regardless of diet.

Gout symptomatic tend to come on very quickly and usually include, severe burning pain and swelling. The most common area effected is the big toe.

Gout tends to be more severe in people who experience symptoms before the age of 30. Gout sufferers who also have diabetes or kidney problems may find their gout attacks to be far more frequent.

Gout is a chronic condition caused by an uncontrolled metabolic disorder, hyperuricemia, which leads to the deposition of mono sodium urate (uric acid) crystals in tissue around the joint. Hyperuricemia means too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is the by product of purine nucleotide catabolism .

Studies indicate that almost 1% of the adult population may experience symptoms of gout at some time in their lives. Frequent attacks of gout, left untreated can lead to joint deformity and in some cases damage to other organs.

Is there a cure for gout?

Many would describe gout as an incurable disease, as they would with most diseases associated with arthritis, and this may be true if taken literally, however if we treat the underlying issues contributing to gout, then all symptoms of gout can be irradiated. There are medical, dietary, alternative, and lifestyle approaches to treating gout (or the underlying contributing factors of gout).

Drug treatments which might include NSAID'S may seem like the answer, however this may actually make the condition worse. Personal experience has shown me that the quickest and safest way of relieving gout is by using a natural approach.