Knee Pain : Gout

Over one million Americans have an attack from gout each year. Gout is a condition that can cause extreme attacks of pain that occur can occur very suddenly. Most of the time it will affect a single joint when it strikes, often times is it your great phalanx (the big toe). 90% of the time, gout affects men over 40 years of age. The peak age of these attacks occurs for people that are 75 years old.

What is the cause of gout?

Gout is caused by accumulation of uric acid within joint fluid.

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a waste product of many foods that people eat. In order to rid our body of waste, and to properly digest the food we eat, we produce substances like uric in order to trasport waste material. Ultimately, this uric acid is excreted in urine. However, when uric acid's transport out of the body is impaired, and there is an accumulation in a person's blood stream, the condition known as gout may occur.

When uric acid excretion is impaired it is often due to a hereditary problem, but there may be other causes as well. When a person's uric acid level becomes too high, painful attacks of joint pain, or gouty arthritis can result. Kidney stones, and kidney failure can also occur. One interesting point is that the relationship between uric acid levels in the blood and gout is not absolutely clear. Some people with gout have normal, or near normal blood levels of uric acid. Other people can have very high blood levels of uric acid with no symptoms of gout. Each case of gout is unique.

How can I prevent gout?

Certain foods with high levels of purines can be avoided. Moreover, drinking alcohol should be moderated. Dehydration, surgery, injury to the joint can cause gout. Prescription and non-prescription medications should also be issued should be monitored by your physician.

The use of knee braces with this joint problem can help, but the extent of which varies on an individual basis. Obviously, you should only consider a knee brace if the joint that is affected is your knee... If you would like more free knee related health information visit us online at http://www.drbraceco.com.