Gout can be one of the most painful things that can happen to anyone.
According to Healthline, gout is “a general term for a variety of conditions caused by a buildup of uric acid.” And this buildup usually manifests in the form of swelling and pain in your feet, especially the joints and oftentimes the big toe. The pain can be described as a sudden and intense pain. (Imagine your foot feeling like it’s on fire.) [1]
And figures from the Arthritis Foundation show that “4 percent of American adults are affected by gout… with about 6 million men and 2 million women in the United States.” [2]
This may sound like a pretty common occurrence, but the good news is that various treatments are available.
And to remedy this, it’s key to know when and how this common form of arthritis happens.
Sometimes, gout doesn’t come with any symptoms – called asymptomatic gout.
But when it does, you’ll definitely feel it! When you have gout, you’ll see the following signs and symptoms which usually last from 3 to 10 days: [3]
Most of the time, these "gout attacks” come from nowhere. You may not experience any symptoms at all, then before you know it – usually in the wee hours or first thing in the morning – trouble arises.
Gout is usually brought about by a buildup of uric acid.
People who have certain conditions like circulatory-related disorders, kidney or thyroid illnesses, problems in metabolism, or even as simple as dehydration or diet, are prone to gout.
Likewise, Healthline has identified profiles that are susceptible to gout, namely those who are: [4]
Several studies show that cherry juice can actually treat gout, indicating that it brings down uric acid levels. Here are some of them:
To learn more about gout and what causes it, watch this video:
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/gout
[2] https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/gout
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/gout#symptoms
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/gout#causes
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3510330/
[7] https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-10/wsw-mtc100114.php
[8] https://www.fasebj.org/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.339.2
[9] http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet-cherries/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4974079/
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Tina Sendin
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