| Gout is not something that appears overnight, or | | | | Gout’s diagnosis, as is many illnesses, is based |
| at an instant. Normally, like many other things in | | | | on its symptoms. Excessive levels of uric acid |
| life, gout comes in stages. The first of these | | | | which causes urate crystals in and around the |
| stages if called the asymptomatic stage, followed | | | | joints will appear in blood tests. The damaging |
| by the acute stage. Then, proceeding is the | | | | effects of chronic gout to the cartilage and bones |
| intercritical stage and, finally, the chronic stage | | | | surrounding the joints can be identified by x-rays. |
| sets in. Following are the symptoms treatment | | | | This, of course, is after the physical ailments that |
| for gout that all should be aware of. | | | | follow infection. |
| The first stage, or the asymptomatic stage, has | | | | There are effective treatments for those |
| no recognizable symptoms whatsoever and | | | | suffering from the negative effects of gout. Sad |
| occurs when urate levels increase in the blood | | | | to accept but, as of now, there exists no cure |
| stream. The acute stage, though, consists of | | | | for gout. Nevertheless, medical groups around the |
| sudden, sharp and excruciating pain to the | | | | world work endlessly to find a cure. Until a cure is |
| affected joints, a tender feeling around the | | | | found, we have two alternatives. One is |
| affected area and a swollen, discolored | | | | treatment, of course, but the first to be |
| appearance. This stage, usually, lasts anywhere | | | | considered is prevention. |
| from five to ten days, give or take. | | | | Because many people continue in life unknowingly |
| The third stage is called the Intercritical stage. This | | | | causing ill-effects to themselves, it’s wise to |
| stage has, really, no symptoms between times of | | | | visit a physician to create a healthy diet and to |
| pain and discomfort. In other words, gout will | | | | recommend a workout routine to benefit your |
| cause suffering for a time, the asymptomatic | | | | overall well-being. This is the only way to prevent |
| stage, and then, seem to disappear. | | | | gout, or any other illness that will befall us if |
| After time, the negative effects of gout will | | | | we’re not careful. If suffering has already |
| return. The time between these times of affliction | | | | occurred, then treatment is necessary, of course. |
| are called the Intercritical stage. This, though, is | | | | To prevent, or treat gout, avoidance of such |
| not to be seen as a period of healing. Actually, the | | | | foods that are high in purine, such as sardines, |
| opposite is taking place. | | | | anchovies, sweetbreads, shellfish, or excessive |
| The last stage is called the chronic stage and | | | | amounts of red meat are among the first of |
| it’s this stage where you’ll notice a | | | | prevention, or treatments. Among other |
| certain stiffness of the afflicted joints which will, | | | | treatment symptoms for gout is to drink |
| of course, limit movement. With this stiffness, | | | | between ten to twelve ounce glasses of |
| though, comes a seemingly endless pain to the | | | | non-alcoholic beverages every day. |
| afflicted joints. | | | | Along with this consumption of liquids, certain |
| This pain is caused by excessive deposits of | | | | fruits and vegetables contain lots of water, |
| urate in the cartilage, the membranes between | | | | therefore, this consumption is necessary. Consider |
| the joints, the tendons and the tissue surrounding | | | | the following: to adhere to a healthier diet and |
| the area. After all is said and done, noticeable skin | | | | maintain a regular routine of exercise is not the |
| growth will develop into sores and will begin to | | | | only way to treat gout, but is a means of |
| release a somewhat pale pus. | | | | preventing gout altogether. |