Gout, once called a “disease of kings,” was thought to be eradicated in the 20th century. Yet, the disease that was so well known among royals in the Victorian era is back. This time it affects many in both the U.S. as well as England.
The statistics
The Health and Social Information Center in England said that gout is on the increase. Hospital admissions rose by 61 percent for gout over the past five years. Approximately 9.2 million, or 3.9% of adults in the U.S. have it. Medical experts state it’s been on the rise in America for several years.
The latest numbers state gout has doubled in the past 20 years.
Gout linked to food, exercise
One scientific theory as to why gout is making a return is diet. Queen Victoria was one of the last royals to
suffer from the chronic disease and most believed the reason why it struck the royals hard was that they ate much richer diets than commoners.
Gout’s link to food is clear. A diet high in purines causes more uric acid in the blood. That leads to increased instances of gout and painful attacks. It makes sense the royals would suffer because they typically ate foods and drank beverages rich in purines, like lamb, turkey, wine, and sugary desserts. Diets and lifestyles, even among the royals, began to change in the 20th century.
Diets today
It’s not a hard leap to blame modern diets for a return of gout. Most researchers state it’s junk food that is mostly to blame. The rise of fast-food places in the 1960s led to two generations being raised on high-fat,
unhealthy food choices. Things like hamburgers and soda have replaced a king’s high-purine meals. Scientists believe it’s taken its toll on the number of people with gout today.
Another factor is exercise. People once worked on farms or held labor-intensive jobs. Now, many work with
automation, or computers, and live in urban areas where exercise isn’t as necessary for survival.
That also affects the amount of uric acid in the blood.
Gout Treatment
The difference between today and those who got gout in the 18th century is treatment. There are medications offered to relieve symptoms today. However, doctors state the best thing a gout patient can do to affect their health is changing diet to include healthier choices.
Conclusion
Gout sufferers can manage their disease by changing their lifestyles. Eating foods with fewer purines, like fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and getting more exercise will help reduce symptoms.
