| Gout is a painful condition that affects millions of | | | | Many patients with hyperuricemia do not require |
| people every year caused by the extreme saturation | | | | medication. They may get "mini" gout attacks in their |
| of uric acid in the body. It begins with a little known | | | | feet, but the pain is not so debilitating. An attack is |
| condition called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is an | | | | usually felt as a severe joint pain at night, often after |
| asymptomatic (no visible symptoms) state that is | | | | drinking alcohol or eating high-purine food (like red |
| associated with a bigger chance of developing painful | | | | meat). The pain is usually felt in the big toe, but |
| gout in a few years. It is NOT gout and in rare | | | | others may feel it in the heel. Sometimes, it is felt in |
| cases, gout can develop without passing through the | | | | the hands and wrists. Usually, the pain goes away |
| hyperurecemic stage. | | | | with diet changes and some medication, but might |
| In hyperuricemia, there are no dramatic symptoms to | | | | return in a year. In the period between these |
| be felt yet, but the crystals in the uric acid that | | | | attacks, they have to avoid foods high in purines and |
| cause gout are already coming together. At this | | | | strive to reach a healthy weight. It is also imperative |
| stage, your uric acid levels are quite high and they | | | | that they stop drinking beer altogether and reduce |
| start to deposit themselves in your joint tissues, | | | | any stress. |
| usually in the toe of the foot, or anywhere in the | | | | A number of effective anti-hyperurecemic agents are |
| general foot area. Your doctor may ask you do take | | | | available, but not usually advisable if the attacks are |
| necessary steps to stop uric acid from precipitating | | | | still negligible. Allopurinol is used to inhibit uric acid |
| out of blood and crystallizing in your joints or kidneys. | | | | production and is useful for patients who are |
| Gout and hyperuricemia pain are compounded by | | | | diagnosed with kidney disorders. The decision to use |
| obesity, dramatic weight gain, alcohol intake | | | | anti-hyperurecemic drugs is usually not done if |
| (especially beer), high blood pressure, irregular kidney | | | | hyperuricemia is mild. Sometimes the doctor waits |
| function and some drugs. Attacks are also brought | | | | until the patient has had two attacks. Even so, one |
| about by dehydration, some injuries, high fevers, or | | | | must keep in mind that anti-hyperurecemic therapy is |
| surgery. | | | | for life and may be difficult to stick to. |
| In the most cases of hyperuricemia, the kidneys | | | | There is hope, however. Only a few (one in four) |
| under excrete uric acid. On the other hand, some | | | | people with hyperuricemia go on to develop full blown |
| 10% of people with hyperuricemia overproduce uric | | | | gout because early awareness helps them alter the |
| acid. For some of them, their hyperuricemia is | | | | disease's course with proper diet and/or medication. |
| brought about by blood and bone marrow disease or | | | | But if you notice an increased frequency and duration |
| genetic enzyme abnormalities. Sometime, elevated | | | | of hyperuricemia, gout may be inevitable. See your |
| uric acid is genetic Some are hyperurecemic because | | | | doctor regularly so both of you can work out an |
| of obesity, but for most patients, its exact cause is | | | | approach that is beneficial for you in the long run. |
| yet to be determined. | | | | |