Over a decade ago, pulmonologists were investigating the monitoring of uric acid in their critical care patients to determine if they were receiving sufficient oxygen. They had determined that hypoxia causes a catabolic process in the body’s cells in which the adenosine triphosphate undergoes a process of degradation, with its final stage being the irreversible generation of uric acid. Since excess uric acid is known to cause gout, why hasn’t the hypoxia from sleep apnea been linked to gout?

I’m 43 and I have recently been diagnosed with gout in my big toe by my GP. My doctor has been great, really understanding and has told me some facts and figures about gout. But I feel like I still don?t really understand what gout is, how I have it, and what I can do to get rid of it? He mentioned that some foods and drinks will aggravate my condition but I?m concerned that he didn?t really tell me which ones! Please could you give me some advice?

My husband has had Gout attacks in his knees or ankles for the past 15 or more years. Always before Indocid did the trick and within a few days he was feeling better. This past June/04 he suffered a very severe attack which eventually led to Predisone being prescribed. He was on this drug from August to December. He didn’t regain the full mobility of the ankle joints and was unable to return to work. In October he suffered extreme hip pain which was diagnosed as stress fractures of both hips and was told that he had Osteoporasis caused by Predisone. He was relatively pain free in the hip area after three weeks. In January/05 he had a reoccurence of hip pain which was more severe because the right side would go into spasms. This lasted for three weeks. Since that time he has been in constant pain which has prevented him from walking. He can bring himself up on a walker but the pain in both hips is very intense when he is in a standing position. Pain is minimal when sitting or lying down. He has been hospialized twice in the past five weeks but treatment has been unsuccessful. He is now on MS Contin, Statex, Elevil, Indocid, Allopurinal ,Probenicid, Actonel and calcium supplements.He has been attended to by our family doctor, Rheumotologist, Orthopedic Surgeon,Endocrinologist,and a Pain Management Specialist. None have been able to explain why he is in such extreme pain. The morphine has not helped this situation one bit after being on this drug for two weeks.Any suggestions would be most welcome.

I have gout what food should I eat?

Does gout expedite the onset of osteoarthritis? What is the relationship between these two forms of arthritis?

What is the treatment of tophi? What does it look like?