Gout is a medical condition characterized by intense, sudden pain; swelling; warmth; and redness in a joint -- most commonly the big toe, although other joints can be affected. It is caused by an abnormally high level of uric acid in the body; therefore, one of the primary ways to prevent a gout attack is to avoid foods that have a high purine content, such as organ meats, sardines, and herring.
Although making these and other dietary modifications may help avoid future attacks, preventing gout sometimes means taking certain medications as well. Drugs used to minimize a person's chances of experiencing another gout attack include those that are used to slow down the rate at which the body produces uric acid, and those that are used to increase the amount of uric acid removed in urine.
(Click Gout Prevention to learn more about the various risk factors that can make a person more likely to experience a gout attack, as well as specific prevention measures.)
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