Gout
Fizzy drinks are being blamed for the rise in cases of gout in the UK.
Experts say that knocking back two or more sugary soft drinks a day means an 85% higher risk of gout compared to drinking just one can a month.
The US research was only carried out on men, but it does seem that fructose, a type of sugar, is linked to the increase in people suffering with gout.
UK experts said that those people who already have the disease should cut out sugary drinks immediately.
goodtoknow says: Gout isn't just an old man's disease and it doesn't only happen in your big toe! Gout is a type of arthritis that makes your joints swell, usually your knees, toes, ankles, wrists and hands. It can be very painful but doesn't cause any lasting damage. It usually clears up very quickly once you start taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Gout happens when you have too much uric acid in your blood. Cutting down alcohol and foods rich in a chemical called purines, such as meat and offal and oily fish, can help prevent further attacks.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of gout from patient.co.uk, read on.
Gout causes attacks of pain and swelling in one or more joints. A short course of an anti-inflammatory painkiller will usually ease an attack quickly. If gout attacks recur, you may be advised to take allopurinol each day to prevent attacks.
- Read more: what causes gout?
More help and advice
- Expert advice on gout
- Read more about arthritis on goodtoknow
- Tips on how to prevent attacks of gout
- Have you ever had gout? Share your experiences in Chat
5 months
Alfred Ashton
Hi I do not beleive I suffer from gout as I beleive it is very painful. However I do have a swelling undeneath my big toe(the actual ball of my big toe and includes the whole of the ball) this swelling occured about four months ago and allthough it is not very paiful I am aware of it. It is also quiet red. Have you any ideas what could be causing this problem. yours Alfred Ashton
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