Alvinstraight38@hotmail.com wrote:

                   (editted)

Here are a few remarks from the Arthritis Foundation:
Visit http://arthritis.org and search for "gout".

Is It RA or Gout?
  If you haven't already had a joint fluid sample
  examined for urate crystals, I would recommend
  that you speak to your doctor about having one
  at your next visit.
  If, in fact, you have gout, the sooner you know
  and begin proper treatment, the sooner you will
  experience relief.
  Doyt Conn, MD, Rheumatologist

 High uric acid levels -- due either to excess
 production of uric acid or to abnormally low
 excretion of this waste product in the urine --
 are the cause of gout.

Pseudogout Defined
Q: I hear and read a lot about gout, but I have been
diagnosed with pseudogout. Can you please tell me what
this is and how it is treated?
A: Pseudogout often resembles gout and, like gout, is
caused by the formation of crystals in the joints, thus
the name. But instead of being composed of uric acid,
as true gout crystals are, the crystals in pseudogout
are composed of a salt called calcium pyrophosophate
dihydrate (CPPD). The condition is also called CPPD
disease.   Pseudogout is the most frequent cause of
acute arthritis in one joint among older people.
Although any joint may be involved, the knee is most
commonly affected. A typical attack begins rapidly with
severe pain, redness and swelling of the affected joint
or joints. The attacks often resolve within a few weeks
whether treated or not.

Unfortunately, recurrent attacks of pseudogout are not
uncommon. Chronic attacks are likely to affect several
joints at once, most commonly the wrists, fingers and
knees. Like gout, pseudogout primarily involves the
body's metabolism (for instance, a problem with iron
or calcium metabolism) rather than the immune system.
However, there is no specific therapy for the
underlying metabolic  disorder.
Bernard Rubin, DO, Rheumatologist

Can Fasting Cause Gout
Q: I have read that fasting can lead to gout. Is this
true? If so, why?
A: Yes, fasting can cause gout - if fasting causes you
to become dehydrated, which raises the level of uric
acid in your blood. In fact, high blood levels of uric
acid are the single most important factor in
determining the risk of a gout attack. A form of
arthritis that primarily affects middle aged men, gout
is associated with obesity, heavy alcohol intake,
hypertension, decreased kidney function and diuretic
use. Acute gout is caused by uric acid crystals in the
joint, which trigger inflammation and cause severe pain
and swelling of the joint. If this condition is not
treated effectively, inflammation can smolder in a
number of joints and eventually cause joint damage.
Bernard Rubin, DO, Rheumatologist

... Can bald people get a hairline fracture?
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