| Gout which was called the "disease of kings" is | | | | gout. |
| actually a form of arthritis. Many famous and | | | | About 3 million Americans are affected by gout. The |
| infamous people suffered from gout, including King | | | | cause is excess uric acid which accumulates in the |
| Henry VIII and Benjamin Franklin. | | | | body. Uric acid is a normal waste product but if the |
| Recently the American College of Rheumatology has | | | | kidneys do not adequately remove the uric acid, it |
| warned that gout must be treated quickly and | | | | deposits crystals in the joints causing pain and |
| correctly not just because flare-ups are extremely | | | | swelling. Even the slightest touch, a sheet covering |
| painful but because gout can increase the risk of | | | | the feet for example, can be unbearable. |
| heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease. | | | | Several other kinds of arthritis mimic gout so it is |
| Gout, as with any form or arthritis, is an inflammatory | | | | important to have the condition diagnosed and |
| condition. Because it is systemic inflammatory | | | | treated by a competent rheumatologist. There are |
| molecules are circulating around in the bloodstream. | | | | medications which can treat gout. Lifestyle changes |
| This can lead to other complications | | | | such as diet and exercise can help keep it under |
| Symptoms usually begins with a sudden, unexpected, | | | | control but the best treatment should be |
| burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, warmth, and | | | | individualized for each patient. |
| stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs most | | | | Gout can be extremely debilitating and the pain can |
| commonly in men's toes but can appear in other | | | | often linger even after the swelling has gone down. |
| parts of the body. Women can also suffer from | | | | |