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gout
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what is gout
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Gout is an extremely painful condition, often beginning in the big toe. I believe it is caused by uric acid crystals being deposited.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090/si=2765
Gout is caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream which crystalises, usually in the big toes, but occasionally in the knees or fingers, where it rubs against the bones causing serious pain.
The 'old wives tale' advises that it's caused by drinking too much port, and it's characterised as an 'over-indulgent old man's' condition.
in fact, it is hereditary, and can be triggered by certain items in the sufferer's diet. I suffer from it (I'm tee-total by the way) if I eat too many sausages, or too much bacon.
The cure is to drink lots of water which flushes the acid through the system and disolves the crystals. Sever cases can be treated with prescription medication.
This was the bane of my life until a couple of years ago, I inherited a defective enzyme from my father, and had flare ups three or four times a year.
Gout is recognised as the most painful form of arthritis.
Flare ups are treated with, in my case, with indomethacin, which was a brilliant drug, but only treats the symptoms, and then two years ago I saw a Dr who said with my lifestlyle and age (early 30s at the time, sporty etc...) I shouldn't be getting it, and referred me to a specialist - it was the specialist who discovered the enzyme thing, and prescribed Allupurinol, a daily tablet: since then, I have not had even a hint of gout.
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