(ARA) - It's been called "the disease of kings" because of its association with historical figures like Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton, but gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, is anything but a "historical" condition. In fact, 3 million to 5 million Americans currently suffer from gout, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.

Despite gout's growing prevalence, results from a survey of more than 2,000 Americans reveal that 65 percent of adults admitted to being "not at all knowledgeable" about gout. The new survey by the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society illustrates major gaps in the public's understanding of the condition.

"Gout has a rich history, but the notion that the condition is no longer a major health problem can't be further from the truth," says Dr. N. Lawrence Edwards, chairman of the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society, a specialist in rheumatology and professor of medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville. "What many people don't realize is the number of Americans with gout has actually doubled over the past 30 years."

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis and the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults. It causes sudden intense pain and swelling in the joints and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent joint damage and destruction of tissue.

The survey revealed that many Americans don't realize just how serious a condition gout can be - almost half (49 percent) of adults were not aware of the potential crippling effects of gout, such as needing to use a cane or walker, or having to stop working because of limited mobility. More than 70 percent did not know that gout is a form of arthritis.

"Advanced gout leads to the same level of work loss, physical disability and diminished quality of life seen in advanced rheumatoid arthritis, but, as these survey results indicate, the severity of the disease remains underappreciated," Edwards says. "People with gout are often stereotyped as being overindulgent or heavy drinkers, and there is a perception that sufferers bring the condition on themselves. If we are going to improve care for the growing number of Americans living with gout, these myths need to be corrected."

If you have gout or think you may be at risk, Edwards and the experts at the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society have some tips to help manage the condition:

1. Know the risk factors and triggers for gout

Risk factors include obesity, previous joint injury or disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, genetics (one out of four people with gout has a family history of the condition) and elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia).

Triggers for attacks include surgery or sudden severe illness; consumption of large quantities of purine-rich foods, especially meat products; or excessive intake of alcohol, especially beer.

2. Stay in control of your uric acid levels

Most experts agree that lowering a person's uric acid level to less than 6.0 mg/dL is helpful to reduce urate crystal accumulation and prevent the consequences of hyperuricemia and gout. It is important to work with your physician to monitor your uric acid level.

3. Talk to your doctor and visit www.GoutEducation.org to learn more

The www.GoutEducation.org Web site features a downloadable patient brochure with key information about gout.

Courtesy of ARAcontent