1. Gout is a form of arthritis – it’s the second most common form of arthritis in New Zealand.
    2. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. It’s normal and healthy to have some uric acid in your body and most people get rid of it through their urine.
    3. High levels of uric acid can turn into crystals that are very sharp, like needles, and make your joints very painful. Gout often occurs in the big toe.
    4. About 80 percent of the time high uric acid is caused by people’s genes, their weight or kidney problems. About 20 percent is caused by food and drink – things like meat, seafood, beer and fizzy drinks.
    5. Gout is three times more common in men than women.
    6. Many Māori and Pacific men are genetically more likely to get gout – it’s estimated up to 14 percent of Pacific men have it. If you think you may have gout, go and see your GP.
    7. Thankfully, gout can be easily managed – there are effective medicines available to treat it.
    8. You can help control gout by taking your gout medication every day – even if you aren’t having a gout attack. Losing weight, eating healthy food and staying away from alcohol and fizzy drinks can also help.
    9. Former All Black and Hurricane prop Neemia Tialata has gout – and controls it with daily medication and diet.
    10. If you have gout, you’re in good company! Famous people who suffered from gout include Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Laurence Olivier, Frederick the Great and Leonardo da Vinci.
    11. The ancient Greeks used to treat gout attacks with a drug from the crocus lily bulb called colchicine. Colchicine is still used as a gout medication today.

Pacific Community Engagement Coordinator - Dan Umaga

Pacific Community Engagement Coordinator – Dan Umaga

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translate »