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Gout is a painful form of arthritis that affects the joints. It most often occurs in middle-age, overweight men who consume large amounts of meat, eggs and other foods that are high in nucleic acid. Men are more prone to having gout than women. Women may be protected from gout by the female hormone estrogen. Men start building uric acid levels during puberty. However, uric acid does not start accumulating in women until after menopause. Gout attacks are very painful and are caused by too much uric acid (a waste product of the kidneys), which forms crystals in the joint fluid. Certain medicines may also cause gout, such as diuretics, niacin, low doses of aspirin, cyclosporine and some drugs used to treat cancer.

A gout attack usually occurs very suddenly. It often starts at night in the joint. The joint becomes red, feels hot and is painful. Various joints may also be affected by gout. Pain and swelling can last for several days. Frequent gout attacks over many years can lead to tophi, which are soft tissue swellings caused by uric acid crystals. Gout sufferers are also at risk for kidney disease or kidney stones.

In addition to seeking a doctor for treatment, the following suggestions will help you to prevent gout attacks and relieve the pain from gout.

Limit your intake of foods that stimulate the production of uric acid: fatty fish, anchovies, shellfish, meat and meat stock, eggs, and caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate).

Limit your intake of these foods to no more than one serving a day: spinach, whole-grain cereals and breads, yeast, asparagus, dry beans, cauliflower, lentils, mushrooms, oatmeal, dry peas.

Avoid aspirin, it can make gout worse.

Avoid alcohol, which increases uric acid production

Drink five or six glasses of water a day, fluids help flush uric acid from the system

Drink herb teas, rosehip and peppermint are good choices

Take One gram of vitamin C a day

Cherries have been found to relieve symptoms of gout. Experts suspect that they contain an enzyme that helps break down and promote the excretion of uric acid. Eat a bowl of cherries the first day of a gout attack, and 6 to 8 cherries per day every day thereafter. The cherries can be fresh, canned or frozen.

When gout attacks occur, apply an ice pack to the painful area. Hold on the area for 3 to 5 minutes, at regular intervals. Keep the affected joint elevated and at rest. Don't wear tight-fitting shoes or tight-fitting clothing.

It is highly recommended to have your doctor check you while experiencing a gout attack. It can get inflammed and infected. You will need tests done regularly and you might need medication or a long term care.

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