Eight million Americans have gout; a painful arthritic condition that usually causes pain in the feet and toes. While the condition is fairly common, there are many, many myths about it. To dispel gout myths, we’re debunking the most common ones.
Gout Myths #1: Only large people get gout
A person who is overweight or obese is at a higher risk for gout, but they certainly aren’t the only ones who get it. Gout impacts people of all shapes and sizes.
Gout Myths #2: Women aren’t impacted by gout
Men and women can get this disease, but it usually impacts them at different times in life. “Gout is 10 times more common in men than in women, until women reach menopause. The incidence of new cases of gout in men and women tends to equal out after age 60 or so,” Herbert Baraf, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. tells AARP.
Gout Myths #3: Gout only occurs in the big toe
It’s common for gout attacks to happen in the foot or big toe, but it’s not the only place they happen. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. The acid turns into crystals that lodge themselves in between joints, which can impact the knees, ankles, feet, and hands.
Gout Myths #4: There are no medications to treat gout
Some people believe that gout doesn’t have any medical solution, but that’s not true. There are medications that can slow gout and ease flare-ups. Colchicine, for example, is prescribed for acute flare-ups. Benemid can help control uric acid levels and Krystexxa is a new intravenous drug that clears uric acid deposits from joints.
