Check out your Gout

Dec 13, 2011 | Stacy Matson | Celebrity Health
Check out your Gout

image by: Gorup de Besanez

Gout, the disease of kings, has the distinction of being one of the most recorded medical illnesses throughout history

When Jim Belushi's big toe swelled up 15 years ago he attributed it to jogging and let it go. A year later, his toe flared up again. He said the pain was so intense that “you couldn't even rub a Kleenex across it.” A few months later Belushi went in for his annual checkup and mentioned the pain to his doctor who ran some tests and diagnosed him with gout.

Initially, Jim Belushi did not seek treatment. He said, “My ego said I could stomach it. Then I suffered an attack while doing a Blues Brothers performance with Dan Akroyd.  I did the whole show in one position while Danny was dancing around.  That was torturous to me because I compromised the show. So, I went to a rheumatologist and she put me on allopurinol - a drug that blocks uric acid production and I’ve been attack-free for 12 years.”

Gout is an interesting disease; it isn’t talked about often. In the past, it was referred to as the rich man’s disease or the disease of kings because it was thought to be caused by eating fatty foods and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. While foods that are high in purine or protein content may trigger an attack, we now know they aren’t the underlying cause. 

Gout is the result of high levels of uric acid that eventually accumulate in the joints, causing inflammation and acute pain. Of interest, only 1/3 of your uric acid comes from the foods we eat whereas the rest comes from our own body processes. And people with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or kidney problems are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

Gout affects millions of people worldwide (8 million people in the United States alone) and is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Symptoms include sudden burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The big toe is the most commonly affected joint, but the disease can also affect the knee, ankle, wrist, hand, or elbow.

Unless treated gout and gout flares can become more severe, last longer, and may occur more frequently.  This can result in irreparable damage to the joints and surrounding tissues. Long-term consequences include chronic pain that doesn't go away between attacks, damaged joints, and limited mobility in the affected area. Therefore, treating and preventing flares is crucial.

As for Belushi, his gout is under control and he is now the spokesman for Check Out Your Gout. He says, “I’m taking part in the campaign to let people know that gout is a very painful condition that should be taken seriously.  And to tell those who are affected by gout to check it out and work with a doctor to identify the best management plan because gout is a chronic, progressive disease that will get worse over time.”

So, if you want to avoid a gouty attack this holiday season, simply avoiding certain foods and drinking less coffee, yes,  your morning Joe, and alcohol may not be enough. Maintaining a healthy weight and and controlling your underlying health issues are probably just as important.  


Stacy Matson, a health enthusiast from Southern California, regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of the Best.

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