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Gout
(RH004)
Introduction


Gout is a syndrome resulting from the deposition in and around joints of crystals composed of a substance called uric acid (monosodium urate crystals). Uric acid is the end product of the metabolism of a food component called purine. Increased levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) is a result of either over-production or under-excretion of the substance.

Acute gout typically presents with pain, swelling, warmth and redness in a joint. Usually the first attack affects only one joint. Commonly affected is the large joint at the base of the big toe (podagra). Other joints commonly involved are the ankle, knee, instep or forefoot, wrist and fingers, elbows, and even the spine.

Acute attacks commonly start during the night and usually peak within one to two days of symptoms onset. Untreated attacks may last seven to 10 days.

Treatment goals include termination of the acute attack, prevention of recurrent attacks and prevention of complications (especially kidney disease) associated with the deposition of urate crystals in tissues. Treatment of associated features such as obesity, alcohol use, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels also figures prominently in the overall plan.


Medifocus: Trusted Medical Information...When You Really Need to Know


The Medifocus Guide on Gout provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:


This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:




MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
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