What Is Gout?
Gout is caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in all of your body’s tissues. They are also in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.
In the normal flow of life your body dissolves the uric acid that you intake via food and drink, your kidneys work to filter uric acids out of your body. Now if you have a kidney disease, have had one removed or maybe have had a kidney transplanted then you may well be suffering with gout as a side effect.
Abnormally high levels of uric acid will result in your body becoming unable to process it and that leads to Gout.The kidneys too can be overwhelmed by the amount of uric acid and they will then fail to cleanse the body adequately.
Heavy consumption of purine rich foods will also cause a build up of uric acid in the body. High level of uric acid in the blood is called hyperuricemia. Although hyperuricemia will not necessarily develop gout but it can lead to its development when the excessive levels of uric acid take a crystalised form.
Gout is generally found in men, The chances that you will deveop gout increase if you have family members afflicted with it. Obesity is a major contributor as well as an above average intake of alcohol. What you eat as well as how much you eat affects your chances of deveoping gout (as well as other illness).
When you notice your toe joint swelling and turning red it may well be the start of a gout attack, they often start in one joint. Many men have said that their attacks start in their big toe and while they may progress to other joints the pain is so bad that it really doesn’t matter. Gout can be an extremely debilitating illness.
Gout is generally a controllable disease with application of proper treatment and dietry care. No matter how much you love the foods that are high in purines, such as shellfish and game, the pain of a gout attack should be enough to remind you why you have to give them up. Change your diet, get some exercise and reduce your weight and your gout attacks should become few and far between.
