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WHAT IS GOUT?

Gout is a form of arthritis that can be extremely painful. 

Agonising attacks come on very quickly, often during the night.

It affects around two per cent of people in the UK and 8.3 million in the US. 

Gout was once thought to be caused by overeating and drinking excessively, however, that is not the whole story.

The condition occurs due to a build up of uric acid, which can be because a person's kidneys cannot get rid of the substance quickly enough. 

Over time, uric-acid crystals can form in and around the joints, which can trigger severe inflammation that usually settles within a week.

In any day, about three-quarters of the urate in our bodies comes from the breakdown of purines produced within our body, while only about a quarter comes from the breakdown of purines in food and drink we consume.

Foods and drinks high in purines include:

  • Alcohol
  • Red meat and offal
  • Oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon
  • Foods rich in yeast extract, like Marmite and Bovril 

As well as pain, symptoms can include joints being:

  • Red
  • Hot
  • Swollen
  • Shiny 

Without treatment, gout attacks can become more frequent, with more joints being affected.

The two most common painkillers used to treat gout are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, and colchicine.

You don’t need to face arthritis alone. Our advisors aim to bring all of the information and advice about arthritis into one place to provide tailored support for you.

Call 0800 5200 520 for free today (Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm)

Email us: helpline@versusarthritis.org

Source: Versus Arthritis

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