Gout |
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Gout is one of the first diseases ever described (by Hippocrates in 500 B.C.). It is characterized by severe acute arthritis, generally affecting one or two joints only. It comes about the joint are noted and a maximum intensity of pain is reached in only a few hours_ It lasts from several days to a few weeks. Recovery often seems to be complete. The patient is quite well until the next episode which may come weeks, months, or years later. A more severe form of gout is a chronic continu ing kind of arthritis. Gout is related to a hereditary defect in the chemistry of the uric acid in the body. The disease is fairly common and often presents a problem in diagnosis.Gout as a general disease is treated quite successfully with one of several drugs which speed up the elimination of uric acid. An acute attack can also be treated successfully with a drug. Treatment must be supervised at all times by a physician. |
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