Gout Signs Symptoms and Remedies

An attack of gout hits you with the suddenness of an express train, because there are no advance gout signs or symptoms. Even worse, the first attack often occurs whilst you are sleeping.

Up to 90% of gout attacks occur in the big toe joint, although gout can also appear in the other toes, ankles, knees, hips and elbows. You'll notice these are all joint areas, because gout is caused by crystals of monosodium urate or uric acid being deposited on the articular cartilage of the joints. The tendons and surrounding tissues can also be affected.

Gout pain is characterized by an excruciating and burning sensation in the affected joint, possibly accompanied by swelling and redness of the surrounding area. In fact the joint will become so tender you won't be able to bear even the feather-light weight of a bed sheet.

Gout is one of the oldest diseases and has been aptly named "The King's Disease". That's because it used to be the case that only kings and noblemen were wealthy enough to afford the rich meats and other luxuries that are the precursor to an attack of gout. In fact, "Having Gout" used to be a status symbol.

Nowadays, with increased wealth, almost anyone can be struck down with this debilitating condition and gout occurs in approximately 840 out of every 100,000 people. It is rare in children and young adults, but it is particularly marked amongst men between the ages of 40 and 50. Women suffer gout to a lesser degree, as it only tends to appear after the menopause. One group of both sexes who are more prone are those who have received an organ transplant.

When you get a sudden attack of gout, your first instinct will be to visit the emergency room or your doctor. There are a range of pharmaceuticals available to deal with the symptoms, starting from a general anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as Ibuprofen, and moving on to more specific gout medications. Unfortunately they often come with some unpleasant side effects, ranging from abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting to brittle bones.

Fortunately, as we've seen, your diet is one of the major risk factors for gout, so you can avoid costly -- and, possibly, harmful -- medications by using gout natural remedies to bring immediate relief from the pain and then deal with the root cause of the problem: your diet.