Gout is a form of Arthritis, that is extremely painful and that can occur suddenly out of nowhere causing crushing, exquisite pain. It is caused by a build up of a chemical substance in our body called uric acid. It is these crystals of urate that causes the pain, mostly in the big toe joint in the foot and also the ankles. These crystals can also invade the tendons of the feet causing great pain in that area. It is believed that gout is due to Inheritance, and affects men much more than women. It is also known that gout is diet driven. Certain foods such as shell fish, and red meats; among many others can trigger a gouty attack. We also know that other circumstance can bring on a gouty attack such as an infection, stress, accident, too much of the wrong food and/or drink, and surgery. In the clinic any patient that I feel has gout, I advise him/her of one thing: "GOUT CAN KILL YOU" It must be treated by a medical specialist who knows what he or she is doing. You see the pain in your big toe is just the tip of the iceberg. Without you knowing it, gout is affecting your heart, lungs, and kidneys. The pain from the worst gout attack will go away on its own in 2 weeks. Once this happens you think you are are cured. You are not!! The abnormal level of uric acid is still in your blood doing damage to many organs in your body, even though you are not aware of it. My first choice to treat gout would be an internist. If this is totally not possible, contact your family doctor and see what he says. Back

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