DIABETES AND GOUT

Gout is a possibility for people with diabetes, especially if the person is overweight.  High blood levels of a substance called uric acid can cause deposits in the kidneys or in a person's big toe.  Gout can also be caused by the kidneys not eliminating enough uric acid.

Uric acid is a waste product found in urine.  The uric acid crystallizes and becomes deposited in the joints.  This causes severe pain and inflammation.  This is often seen in the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can affect other joints in the body.

Gout seems to be a consequence of being overweight.  The risk for developing gout increases when a person is overweight and has diabetes.  The risk is also closely related to whether or not a person eats "purine-rich foods", such as organ meats, sardines, anchovies, and other foods, and alcohol.

Foods that are high in purines include:

anchovies	kidney	sardines
dried pastas	lentils	scallops
dried peas	liver	spinach
game meats	mackerel	sweetbreads
gravies	meat broth	yeast
herring	oatmeal	alcoholic beverages

DIAGNOSIS

Gout can be diagnosed through blood tests, tests on joint fluids, and x-rays.  Notify your doctor if you have inflamed or painful joints.  If gout goes untreated it can lead to crippled joints, kidney stones, and inflammation of the bones, ligaments and tendons.
 

TREATMENT

Gout is treated with medications that help remove the uric acid from the body, anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers.  Treatment also includes changing eating habits by avoiding alcoholic beverages and purine-rich foods.  The person should also try to lose weight.

You can also try to deal with the discomfort of gout by:

a) applying cold or warm compresses to the affected joints
b) using pillows to build a "frame" to keep bed linens and
blankets off the painful joints when lying in bed
c) allowing the joints to rest
d) drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water each day to try to
prevent kidney stones

If you have gout you should notify your doctor if you have a fever of 101F or higher, you have bleeding gums, you have a skin rash, your feet are swollen, you've gained excess weight over a short period of time, you have diarrhea or you're vomiting.  You should also let your doctor know if
your symptoms aren't relieved within three days of beginning treatment.