Health Department acts to dispel myths of gout

Press, 26 July 1984, Page 9

Health Department acts to dispel myths of gout

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington A campaign to increase public awareness and knowledge of gout is being run by the Health Department. No ailment seems too give as much amusement as gout, or as much pain to the sufferer. ' Gout is the subject of many myths. Jokes are made about its relationship to over-indulgence in alcohol, rich foods, and fast living. Sufferers from gout rarely get much sympathy, and are assumed to deserve it. That is the myth. Gout is a particularly nasty form of rheumatism, caused by too much uric acid in the body. Wine, women, and song have nothing to do with it. The person who never touches alcohol, prefers vegetarian food, and goes to bed at sunset is just as likely to develop gout as the person who drinks like a fish and comes home with the milkman. . Gout is caused by an error in the body’s chemical processes which allows uric acid to accumulate in the body. This tendency is usually inherited from a parent or grandparent The uric acid forms crystals which appear in and around joints, and sometimes in places such as the ear. Treatment aims, among other things, to stop the accumulation of these crystals and to get rid of them if they have already formed. Even the most severe cases are now susceptible to drugs. Blood tests can reveal the presence of accumulations of uric acid, but

that in itself does not always indicate gout. Any sufferer will know immediately that something is wrong. The best known symptom is probably the swollen, red, agonisingly tender big toe joint. Other joints can also be attacked—knees, elbows and wrists, particularly. Although alcohol does not cause gout, it does not help it. Too much of anything—food, drink, stress or tired-ness-can bring on an attack. Most sufferers soon learn what alcohol not to drink at all. Most find that the heavy red wines such as port and burgundy are the worst,

while champagne, beer, and sherry can also cause trouble. Gin and whisky seem to have the least impact. Coping with an attack of gout involves protecting the joint from contact or injury, while wrapping it up in an ice-pack or hot poultice. A •cage to keep the bedclothes off also helps. These treatments will only do for a mild attack; a medium or acute attack should be attended by a doctor. The doctor will prescribe a regime to flush the uric acid out of the system and keep it out, and several drugs are available that can do this.

The department says that women also suffer from gout, but much less frequently than men and only after middle age. Three items of advice are given by the department for gout sufferers: ® Always suspect an acute attack of gout if a joint is unduly painful after a trivial injury. ® Anything which upsets the system may bring on an attack. ® Always be on the lookout for the early signs of an acute attack because the earlier treatment is started the better.