I know that many gout sufferers, or their carers, are confused about what to do for gout.
My mission is to make things as easy as I can, but I have a lot of information for you, and you might not know where to look first.
This is the early stage of my beginners guide to gout. Specially aimed at first time visitors, this guide tells you where to find gout information on GoutPal, and elsewhere, that is relevant to you.
If you have not recorded your reason for visiting, please tell me which type of gout visitor you are. After completing the short form, you will be returned here.
All the links below open in a new window, so that you can easily return here to consult the guide. Before you leave, please check the final paragraph, aimed at all visitors.
Many physicians put pain relief before lowering uric acid, but you will never get rid of gout whilst uric acid crystals remain in your body. You need to understand how allopurinol can cause temporary pain problems. Please note that the principles that I explain on that page apply to all uric acid lowering therapies - medical and alternative.
By now you are probably screaming with pain, so check out the gout pain relief remedies.
Browse the rest of the site using the navigation buttons on the left.
Care for gout sufferer
Follow the guidelines for newly diagnosed or longterm gout sufferer as appropriate.
Health care professional
You probably need to study everything, starting with the Gout Explanations Section. Then work down the sections using the navigation buttons on the left, as far as the Diet Section. The other sections are probably not relevant.
I'm very interested in the opinions of health workers. If you have time to write about your experiences, please share them in the gout forum, where you can tell us about what do do for gout patients.
Studying gout
You probably need to study everything, starting with the Gout Explanations Section. Then work down the sections using the navigation buttons on the left, as far as the Diet Section. The other sections are probably not relevant.
I'm very interested to learn how gout is taught. If you have time to share your experiences, please discuss them in the gout forum. You can tell us about what to do for gout students.
Pseudogout sufferer
Sometimes called false gout, and often spelled sudogout. If you suffer from this condition, please see the pseudo gout page.
Everyone
These guidelines are very new. If you find anything that is not clear, please tell me where the gout guidelines need improving.
I would also be grateful if you complete my visitor satisfaction survey. It is very short, and will only take a minute or two.