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$Pretitle{Endocrine Glands and Metabolism}
$Title{A Bit About Gout}
$Subject{gout cause symptoms}
$Volume{C-17}
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gout-knee*0003803.scf
gout-toe*0003805.scf
gout-hands*0003807.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


A Bit About Gout


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QUESTION:  My latest visit to the doctor now reveals that I have gout in
addition to all the other ailments.  Can you please tell me a bit about my new
disease and what I have to look forward to?

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ANSWER:  There is some good news.  Gout frequently can be controlled by proper
medical treatment.  Being temperate and consistent in diet and drinking habits
also help guard against attacks of the disease.
     An acute attack of gout is one of the most painful conditions known in
medicine and the memory of it seldom fades in those people who have suffered
such attacks.
     A "typical" gout patient is a middle-aged man with swelling and pain that
comes and goes.  Often the affected site is his big toe, although gout can
strike in several other areas, particularly the knees, elbows, wrists,
shoulders, and ankles.  Obesity, a family history of other gout sufferers, and
excess alcohol consumption are other peculiarities of a gout patient in
younger age groups.
     In the elderly, gout is as common in females as in males and gout that
affects several joints is an especially common complaint.
     Gout occurs rather frequently in elderly people in joints other than the
big toes.  The hand often is involved when elderly women, who have used
diuretics for years, suffer from gout.  The wrist also gets a share of gout
attacks, as well as elbows and shoulders.
     Attacks seem to occur most frequently in the early hours of a day,
between 4 and 5 AM, often after too much food, alcohol, or even exercise, or
conversely, a period of starvation, such as a crash diet.  Additionally, gout
may be brought on by any break or change in a person's normal routine.  For
example an episode of acute infectious illness may precipitate a gout attack.
     Sudden severe attacks of gout may be considered a medical emergency and
should receive immediate attention.  The patient should rest in a chair or bed
with the affected limb protected and raised.  Cold compresses often are useful
until drugs can ease the pain and stop the attack.
     While diagnosing gout is not very difficult for a physician, there are
several conditions that mimic it causing much the same type of pain, redness
and swelling.  Two of the most common of these are:  osteoarthrosis, a form of
chronic arthritis that does not produce the burning sensations in the affected
parts of the body, that an attack of the gout can, and pyarthrosis, a type of
arthritis affecting fluids in joints of the body producing heat, pain, and
swelling there along with fever and an overall unwell feeling.
     A medicine known as colchicine is an often prescribed drug for treating
gout.  Several new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are also
proving beneficial.
     Those and other medicines can help to keep gout attacks from recurring.
Also, elderly patients would do well to limit their consumption of beer, heavy
wines, and champagnes, as well as binge eating and drinking during special
occasions such as holidays.
     Well, now that you know more about gout than you ever wanted to you have
learned one import fact.  Your gout can be controlled, so your future doesn't
look so bleak now, does it?
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
