I think Gout is kinda like artritis right? Anyways my question is how do you get gout and how can you make it to where it dosent hurt so bad? My friend has is really bad and he's only 23. He complains all the time, always swollen and takes lots of medicines. Is there anything eles to help gout. Thanks for the replys!

Gout is a form of arthritis - actually, according to my doctor, it's the best one to have! There really isn't much your friend can do to prevent it, that I am aware of. My brother gets it from time to time and has medication. From a natural approach, Cherry Juice concentrate is supposed to be great for Gout (you can get it at a health food store). Also, certain food can raise the uric acid levels in your body, which can cause the gout attack. I know excessive alcohol is a biggie. If it is really bothersome, he should get back to see his doctor. Sometimes if it gets out of hand, it can affect your kidneys (not common, but can happen).

On a funny note, I heard that if men have a healthy/active sex life, that will reduce their gout attacks - I honestly read that!

Gout is a serious disorder though. For him to have it so young should be a cause for concern for his doctor. Usually it happens in older men (or alcoholics). Its a build up on uric acid in the body and as mentioned above, have him eat lots of cherries!

Gout has several stages though. He will probably start to notice an odor that will tell him when its acting up. Its very common.

Best of luck!

Thank You for the repleys. I'm going out tonight to get him some cherries and juice. He will be happy to know about the sex thing I'm sure. His back hurt him last month for a couple weeks. He couldn't even get out of bed. He went to the doctors and they said it was his kindneys. I am very scared for him. Does gout ever go away? Do people die from it? His gout acts up everyday. There is never a day where he dosent have it. He takes overdoses of his medicine because he is in so much pain. He goes to the doctors but not like he should be. Thank you so much!! Oh and what kinda odor? What does it smell like? Thanks!!

[This message has been edited by lil princess (edited 08-16-2002).]

Gout used to be called the 'rich man's disease' because it occurs mostly when people eat an excess of animal protein [meat] and produce excessive amounts of uric acid which the kidneys are unable to clear. The standard treatment - aside from reducing animal protein consumption - is allopurinol.

BTW, there are several classes of meds/drugs that can reduce/interfere with the kidneys' ability to filter out protein and thus cause secondary gout, so your friend should check his meds' side effect profile.

Here are some reference articles:

MEDLINEplus Drug Information Allopurinol (Systemic) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202021.html

MEDLINEplus Gout and Pseudogout: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/goutandpseudogout.html

Thank You so much!! I will have him take a look!