Symptoms:
Sudden attack, often in the middle of the night, of extreme pain and swelling of a joint in the fingers or toes (usually the big toe). But it can affect the ankles, knees, hands, elbows, and wrists. Motion or pressure greatly increases the pain. After the swelling subsides, the skin tends to itch and peel.

During attacks, there often is loss of appetite, stomach and intestinal problems, fever, and decreased urine output.

Cause:
Gout is an acute type of inflammatory arthritis, and occurs most often in people who are overweight or eat rich foods, such as meat, gravies, spices, and alcohol.

The body cannot handle all the purines and other acids in the meat, and so these products settle in the body. Uric acid is the end-product of the breakdown of purine compounds.

Gout typically attacks the smaller joints of the feet and hands, especially the big toe. Uric acid salts crystallize in the joint, and produce swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat and extreme pain.

Unlike most forms of arthritis, gout affects men in 90% of the cases. It generally does not begin until after 35 years of age; peak age of onset is 45. Women who have it are generally post-menopausal.

Treatment:
• Diet changes, water drinking, and weight control are all very important.

• The amount of urates in the blood is keyed to dietary intake and the amount of body weight. Many in middle life who initially experience the pain of gout are overweight.

• Those with gout need to reduce to 10-15% below calculated normal weight. However, weight reduction must be done gradually, so as not to stir up more urates and temporarily increase the number of gout attacks.

• Do not fast when you have gout. Doing so greatly increases the amount of uric acids in the blood.

• Drink at least 2 quarts of water a day between gout attacks, not only to get rid of the uric acid, but also to reduce the likelihood of kidney damage and kidney stones. Those with gout tend to have kidney stones.

• A high-carbohydrate diet tends to increase uric acid excretion. In contrast, a high-fat diet decreases excretion and may bring on a gout attack (even though they may be unsaturated fats). Keep your diet low in protein and fat.

• A vegetarian diet is the best program for a person with gout.

• Avoid excessive food yeast.

• Eating cherries is very helpful. The uric acid level in the blood decreases and the attacks tend to stop. They can be any type of cherries, and either fresh or canned (½ pound per day). One or two tbsp. of cherry concentrate can be taken instead. If canned cherries are used, only use water-packed ones; most have too much sugar and additives.

• Overeating tends toward gout.

Here are foods high in purines: liver, brains, kidneys, heart, anchovies, sardines, meat extract, fish roes, herring, consommé, mussels, and sweet breads.

• Here are foods of lesser purine content: fowl, fish (except those listed above), other seafoods, and other meats.

• Here are foods of moderate amounts: whole-grain cereals, lentils, peas, beans, asparagus, mushrooms, oatmeal, cauliflower, and spinach.

• Here are the foods which have only small amounts of purines; foods containing negligible amounts of purines: vegetables, fruits, refined cereals, cereal products, eggs, milk, cheese.

• There are cases in which drinking large amounts of milk or eating lots of tomatoes produced gout.

• Do not take any alcoholic beverage. Alcohol increases uric acid production and reduces excretion of urates.

• Direct injury to a joint, tending toward gout, can bring on an acute attack.

• It is known that the skin can excrete uric acid, so baths will help.

• During acute attacks, keep the affected joint elevated and at rest.

• Hot fomentations for 15 minutes every 3 hours, to help relieve pain. But, to reduce pain, some do better using cold applications.

• Mud packs, applied to the affected area, will absorb a fair amount of the uric acid.

• Charcoal is very helpful. Take it by mouth (12-16 tablets daily), and also lay charcoal packs on the area.

• A compress of comfrey root or leaves, blended with water, helps relieve gout pain. Apply for two hours or more, or overnight.

• Burdock will help clean uric acid deposits from the joints and other areas. Kelp, red clover, and yucca help eliminate uric acid and other toxins.

• Colchicine is the primary drug medication for gout. But it causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, hair loss, anemia, liver damage, and decreased leukocytes and platelets. Natural remedies can do the job better.

• A number of drugs increase uric acid levels, so it is best to avoid drugs. Diuretic drugs are especially bad.