Since this is a new blog, I thought it would be a good idea to write about the basics of gout.  I am often surprised about just how little some people who have had this condition for years know about this disease that effects their lives so much. The treatments for gout can get complicated, often requiring three different medications on different schedules so understanding what causes gout and the exact process of the disease is key to understanding the role of each of these medications and how to use them effectively.  If you properly treat this disease, there is no reason to ever have to suffer another painful attack.

Gout is cause by having too much uric acid in your body, a condition called hyperuricemia.  Uric acid is a natural substance in the body that is created through metabolism.  People with hyperuricemia either create too much uric acid and/or have trouble eliminating it from their body.  When levels of uric acid get high enough, this uric acid can start to crystalize.
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