Dispelling The Myths
Some of the traditional myths about what has been erroneously called "the disease of kings." has perhaps been dispelled by:
Then, too, folk wisdom about gout, coupled with good science and medicine, points to measures that prudent people can take to prevent or at least lessen the severity of the condition.
Weight Control
Many authorities and the Arthritis Foundation, which supports research and public service programs relating to gout, advocate weight control as a logical aid to gout prevention. They point out, however, that people who are overweight should get professional guidance in planning a weight-reduction program, because fasting or severe dieting can actually increase uric acid levels.
Diet/Drinking
Experts generally agree that people with gout can eat pretty much what they want, within limits. People who have kidney stones caused by uric acid may need to avoid purine-rich foods. But this problem can usually be handled effectively with drug treatment.
Curbing alcohol use and avoiding "binge" drinking can reduce the likelihood of acute attacks. So can drinking six or eight glasses of water a day, which dilutes uric acid and aids its removal by the kidneys.
Diuretics & Other Medicines
Some medicines — in particular the thiazide diuretics ("water pills") used to control high blood pressure — tend to increase uric acid levels. A gout patient taking one of these drugs may have to switch to another type of diuretic or blood pressure medicine.
Lead
Finally, although uncommon, it might be helpful to find out if an environmental or occupational exposure to lead is playing a role in a patient’s problem with gout.
Gout Cure?
While a cure for gout -- a treatment that gets rid of the condition once and for all — is not on the horizon, reliable and effective ways of diagnosing gout and keeping it under control constitute one of the more impressive success stories of modern medical science.
There may be no sure-fire way to keep a person from having that first agonizing attack, but prompt treatment can minimize the risk of further attacks and virtually rule out the damaging and crippling effects of chronic gouty arthritis.
More Information
How much do you know about gout? You probably heard of it, but do you know the difference between purines and probenecid? Do you know what you need to do to prevent gout attacks? Does your lifestyle put you at risk for gout?
Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. Gout attacks can be controlled or prevented by lifestyle changes and the use of certain medications. Better understanding will enhance your ability to manage the condition. Learn more about gout in our free newsletter e-course.
Source: Getting To Know Gout by Ken Flieger, FDA Consumer Magazine, March 1995
