Gout Part I

You may not have been aware of it, but Gout is actually a form of arthritis. Even though men are usually more likely to get it, women who have gone through menopause seem to be more susceptible to it as well.

Gout manifests itself by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tender of mainly the joint at the base of the big toe. The symptoms and signs seem to appear mostly at night and the worst pain is experienced during the following 12 to 24 hours, after which joints may still be sensitive and tender which can last from a few days to several weeks.

Gout is a result of urate crystals accumulating around the joint due to a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is needed to break down what is called purines; these are substances common to the body, but also needed to break down specific types of food, like organ meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms.

When the body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid, accumulation of urate crystals will build up, causing gout.

You may be at risk getting gout, when you
- drink too much alcohol,
- have a medical condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, or narrow arteries,
- use certain medications like thiazide diuretics, low-dose aspirin, or anti-rejection drugs, or
- when gout runs in the family.

It is essential to treat gout as soon as it occurs, because the more attacks you get, the longer they last and the more it will affect more joints and can even cause kidney stones and more serious health problems.

You sure don't want that to happen, but you also don't want or need more problems either. Therefore, it is essential to turn away from any sin, temptation and evil, or correct it as soon as possible. The longer it lasts, the worse it will get and will cause death and destruction!

Proverbs 4:14-15
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.