In the past, gout was described as a disease of the rich. Very often when people mentioned this disease, they have an image of a large  gentleman sitting by a fire with a large cigar and a glass of wine. This is because one of the causal factors of gout is a diet high in very rich foods such as  red meats, cream and wine.  Although it can be caused by regular consumption of the rich foods, it can also be caused by exposure to lead, excessive consumption of alcohol and by medications that inhibit the patient's ability to remove uric acid from the body.

Gout is a condition that occurs when the body’s ability to remove uric acid is inhibited. When there is an elevation of uric acid in the bloodstream,  the uric acid can crystallize and deposit in the joints. This can cause a great deal of pain,  stiffness and swelling of the joints. The disease affects about 2 million people in the United States, generally around middle age. Some people are more prone to the disease if they have a family history of this or other diseases such as diabetes or obesity.

Treatment of gout includes medications to decrease the uric acid levels in the bloodstream and thus reduce the amount of  uric acid in and around the joints. This is important to prevent the joints from being damaged permanently. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to lessen the swelling and are usually effective in reducing the pressure on the joints. These medicines are usually best taken soon after the symptoms arise for maximum efficiency. If you think you may have symptoms suggestive of gout, and want to find out about appropriate medical therapy, then the best person to ask is your doctor or health care specialist. They will be able to give you an examination and if necessary a list of appropriate treatments.

Many physicians believe that one of the best ways to prevent gout is a healthy diet and exercise regularly and drink plenty of water.  In addition,it is advised to avoid rich foods, especially those that contain large amounts of purine, such as red meat, sardines or cream and excessive alcohol consumption. Gout and associated gouty arthritis can be painful and debilitating,  but with changes in diet, regular exercise, good hydration, and appropriate medications when needed, the frequency and severity of sypmtoms can usually be well controlled and most people can continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle.