An Upside to Gout: It May Offer Alzheimer’s Protection

[elleng]

Gout, a form of arthritis, is extremely painful and associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular problems. But there is a bright side: It may be linked to a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers compared 59,204 British men and women with gout to 238,805 without the ailment, with an average age of 65. Patients were matched for sex, B.M.I., smoking, alcohol consumption and other characteristics. The study, in The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, followed the patients for five years.

They found 309 cases of Alzheimer’s among those with gout and 1,942 among those without. Those with gout, whether they were being treated for the condition or not, had a 24 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The reason for the connection is unclear. But gout is caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the blood, and previous studies have suggested that uric acid protects against oxidative stress. This may play a role in limiting neuron degeneration.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/an-upside-to-gout-it-may-offer-alzheimers-protection/?module=WatchingPortal&region=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=none&state=standard&contentPlacement=7&version=internal&contentCollection=well.blogs.nytimes.com&contentId=http%3A%2F%2Fwell.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2015%2F03%2F03%2Fan-upside-to-gout-it-may-offer-alzheimers-protection%2F&eventName=Watching-article-click

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Well, thanks I guess.

I just had my first ever gout attack a few weeks ago, and I'll sure as shooting agree with the 'extremely painful part'. I had to go to a 'clinic' when it first hit for indomethacin, which while it did break the acute horrible pain, hasn't cleared up the ongoing inflammation, edema, and tenderness, so I'm hoping the doctor's appointment I finally swung for tomorrow will result in some further treatment that will leave me able to wear shoes comfortably again finally, and walk flat-footed.

[Phlem]

2. I've had this twice.

both after salmon and beef consumption, chased with beers. The fascinating thing is by the time you get to the doctor, they're amazed by your high blood pressure.

Both times I got steroids and pain killers. Worked very quick like around 24 hours I could walk near comfortably with very reduced swelling.

You'll be fine, just watch the uric acid inducing activities, like Beer, Salmon, and Porter Houses.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. I actually don't think my current diet is my problem.

I think I already damaged my kidneys, in part thanks to about 6 months on a high-protein, high-fat, next to no carb diet that did let me lose a ton of weight, most of which came back after I realized how badly I was stressing them.

And yeah, during the early part of the acute episode, at the clinic, my BP was 180something over 120 or so.

As it stands now, I'm eating 4 oz or less of meat a day, not having beef two days in a row, zero alcohol, switched to decaf, no deli meats or sausages. I'm hoping the doc will renew my lapsed BP meds, and maybe put me on allopurinol.

Most of the swelling is positional now. There's still always a little around the metatarsal along with some reddening, but if I sit too long, all of the toes on that foot swell up until I've elevated the foot above heart level for a while.

[Phlem]

4. Sounds like you've got it all down. All I can say is stay healthy my friend.

Make sure your getting enough water. Had to see a surgeon today and my blood pressure was through roof. At the same time I was fighting a tickle in my throat so I didn't cough all over her face which might have contributed. The second time was better.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

7. That's the hard part.

I generally run on the dehydrated end of things. Every time I've wound up in the hospital for anything, they're always giving me a liter or two of fluids because I'm on the dry side. I just don't like to drink a lot, I don't even bother with water or another drink most of the time when I hit a restaurant. So I know I'm not getting the 3L/day my nursing book suggests gout sufferers get during attacks. I just can't force myself to drink that much.

[Shrike47]

5. I've had gout for 17 years. Painful is too mild a word. But I am now well controlled - allopurinol

I am an attorney. I ended up conducting several bench trials without shoes on (after speaking to the judge, of course) and limping. It's a hard way to present a case!

[elleng]

6. WOW, a REALLY hard way to present a case!

Glad you've been able to do it, and glad your gout is now well controlled.