Gout is a form of arthritis pain. This condition is very painful inflammation and swelling of the joints which is mainly caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body. Certain foods also play an important role in increasing the problem of gout arthritis. Proper treatment of gout can be achieved with the help of medication and proper diet.

Gout affects especially the joint of a big toe and usually it affects one joint at a time. The most common symptom of gout is sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, tenderness, warmth and swelling in some joints. It can also affect the joints of knee, ankle, hand, foot, elbow and wrist. Under the skin there appear as lumps around the joints and at the rim of the ear which is known as tophi and it is the deposit of the uric acid. In addition to this symptom, sometimes crystals of uric acid can also collect in the kidneys and result into kidney stones.

Gout results due to the deposits of needle like crystals of uric acid in the connective tissue, joint space or in both. Generally this is a bye product of the breakdown of purines or waste products in the body. Normally the uric acid gets eliminated in the urine after it breakdowns in the blood. When uric acid in our body increases it results into gout.

Foods also play an important role in increasing or reducing the symptoms of gout. Reduce the intake of purine rich food which includes sardines(in oil), fish roes, yeast, organ meats (e.g. liver, kidneys), alcoholic beverages, anchovies, legumes (e.g. dried beans, peas, and soybeans), meat extracts, gravies, mushrooms, consomm, spinach, cauliflower, asparagus and poultry. Patient suffering from the problem of gout must also reduce their uric acid by reducing their weight.

Though there is no permanent cure, but people can keep this problem under control and are able to lead normal lives. There is combination of treatments for gouts. People may go for one treatment or a combination of treatments.

For thousands of years Colchicine, a derivative of the autumn crocus has been used for the treatment of gout. This drug is very effective and helpful as it reduces or relieves the swelling and the pain and also prevents future attacks.

Allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim) is very effective drug and often used for older patients in long term treatment. It blocks the production of uric acid.