Gout



Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis

The attack usually causes a red, hot, painful, swollen joint. The big toe joint (first metatarsal phalangeal joint) is the most common affected areas, accounting fore more than 50% of all the cases. 

Gout is caused by uric acid in the blood crystalizing and depositing in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. In most cases the attack occurs at night, as the body cools, causing the uric acid to precipitate out of the joint into the surrounding tissue.

Gout affects about 1-2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. 

It can occur for a number of reasons including genetic, under excretion of urate crystals in the kidney, and high purine diet. When dietary causes are seen, there is several diet modifications that can assist in combating the painful symptoms of got and prevent reoccurrence. 

The following is a list of high purine foods which can worsen gout symptoms: