Is Gout a Condition That Could Only Affect Men?

Is Gout a Condition That Could Only Affect Men?

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QUESTION: When a painful toe flared up and didn't seem to get better after a
few days, I visited my physician. The diagnosis was gout, but I thought that
this was a condition that could only affect men. Isn't that true?
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ANSWER: You are correct, well, almost. 95% of all people who suffer with
gout are men, so you're unlucky enough to be in the minority here. Gout is a
type of arthritis that is caused by a build-up of crystals of monosodium urate
(which comes from uric acid) in the fluid of the joint. It commonly shows up
first as a painful, swollen big toe. In women, gout usually comes on after
menopause. Older women who are on diuretic therapy for hypertension or who
have poor kidney function appear to be at greater risk.
People once thought that gout was caused by high living and too much rich
food. Crystal formation (and thus swelling and pain) is increased if you eat
a diet high in a type of protein called purines, present in large quantities
in glandular type meat, such as liver. However present day medications are so
effective that your doctor may not require you to change your diet. You may
require different medications at different stages of the attack. First,
colchicine to deal with the acute attack, then medication to lower the levels
of uric acid in your blood, followed by medication (allopurinol) that helps
prevent the formation of uric acid and prevent future recurrences.