Gout is a medical condition characterized by swelling, redness, extreme tenderness, and inflammation in the joints.
This disease is actually a form of
arthritis, and is caused by abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood. This results in the formation of crystals in the joints, which is what causes inflammation and pain.
Although no foods are known to directly cause (or prevent) a gout attack, foods with a high purine content are known to play a role in the likelihood of a person experiencing an attack. Thus, your healthcare provider will probably provide you with a list of foods to avoid.
Treatment for gout also involves medications, both to relieve the symptoms of a gout attack and to prevent attacks from occurring in the first place. When managed properly, long-term damage from this disease can be minimized -- and possibly even avoided.
(To learn more about this disease, click Gout. This article provides a detailed overview of this condition, with information on possible symptoms, how it is diagnosed, how it differs from pseudogout, and more.)
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