Umpire's worst enemy!!!!!!!

[Quickstrike33]

hey guy's, looking forward to the start of high school ball here in n.c. i've been fighting off severe "gout" attacks for the last couple of month's, and was wondering if anyone else in the forum had to fight this battle. i guess i'm asking for any home-made remedies, or quick relief fixes besides the doctor prescribed medicines....i think my diet is really what i need to work on first and foremost. i know i need to cut out all pork products, and lose a few pounds, it's easier said than done though...any comments???:confused:

[BrianC14]

hey guy's, looking forward to the start of high school ball here in n.c. i've been fighting off severe "gout" attacks for the last couple of month's, and was wondering if anyone else in the forum had to fight this battle. i guess i'm asking for any home-made remedies, or quick relief fixes besides the doctor prescribed medicines....i think my diet is really what i need to work on first and foremost. i know i need to cut out all pork products, and lose a few pounds, it's easier said than done though...any comments???

Campbell,

This is a forum for umpires. Are you sure you want to ask for medical advice here?

[Quickstrike33]

yes brian, i'm sure...this is a "free for all" section, and i thought i might get some advise from other umpire's as to how they cope with this problem, and/or any other "pain" situation they may have to play thru....i did not ask for your participation in this matter, you could have just as well have kept to yourself, but thanks anyway.....

[Quickstrike33]

by the way brian, i've noticed this is the 2nd or 3rd time you have tried to bust my chops....what gives?????

[sri8527]

hey guy's, looking forward to the start of high school ball here in n.c. i've been fighting off severe "gout" attacks for the last couple of month's, and was wondering if anyone else in the forum had to fight this battle. i guess i'm asking for any home-made remedies, or quick relief fixes besides the doctor prescribed medicines....i think my diet is really what i need to work on first and foremost. i know i need to cut out all pork products, and lose a few pounds, it's easier said than done though...any comments???

first, if you can, figure out what gives you gout, me, peanut products really get me. also too many green veggies, so i eat them in moderation. second, if you never had gout, you have no idea what pain is, i get it in my knees, pain is unbearable, so you get advise, anywhere and everywhere. last but not least, go to a GNC or vitamin store, buy yourself some black cherry concentrate, take about 1000 mg every 4 hours until you start too feel relief. it works for me, also, if you start too feel that tingle, and you know an attack is coming, start the black cherry right away. i find i can limit the attack this way, and the few presciption meds i've tried make me feel, for the sake of a better term "off" not really sick, but some dizzyness and such. good luck, i feel your pain.

steve

[Umpire in Chief]

Guys, I want to keep this thread on a short leash.

The reason being giving medical advice is dangerous territory. As long as the conversation stays in the realm of friendly non-medical advice, all is fine.

No information in this thread, or anywhere on the site is to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your health care professional about your specific situation.

Edited January 26, 2009 by Umpire in Chief
fixed the not

[AllanA]

Guys,

I have had gout for the past 2 years. I have had it under control for the last 8 months. My advice to to go to the doctor and let him run tests.

Different things affect different people. If you get gout on a frequent basis

go to the doctor. Get professional advice.

Allan

[dash_riprock]

No information in this thread, or anywhere on the site is not to be taken as medical advice.

You may wish to delete either the "no" or the "not." The way it reads now, all information on this site is to be taken as medical advice.

[UmpJM]

You may wish to delete either the "no" or the "not." The way it reads now, all information on this site is to be taken as medical advice.

dash,

I would go with deleting the "not".

JM

[LMSANS]

According to Jim Evans, the umpire's worst enemy is surprise.

:cheers:

[Quickstrike33]

he's probably never had gout.......

[DonInKansas]

According to Jim Evans, the umpire's worst enemy is surprise.

What about weapons?

Nobody expects the Umpire Inquisition!:smachhead:

[Bigdog]

According to Jim Evans, the umpire's worst enemy is surprise.

Hey all,

...and ASSISTANT COACHES:banghead:!!

Bigdog:cool:

[Dragon29]

Hey all,

...and ASSISTANT COACHES:banghead:!!

Bigdog:cool:

Bigdog,

Sorry - but you've got it wrong.

Assistant Coaches are our comic relief!

[UmpTTS43]

Surprise ... there's an assistant coach with gout.

Never had gout, and from reading, hope I never do. Good luck with that.

[Bigdog]

Bigdog,

Sorry - but you've got it wrong.

Assistant Coaches are our comic relief!

Hey all,

They would be if they would at least try something DIFFERENT every once in a while!

Bigdog:cool:

[Dragon29]

Hey all,

They would be if they would at least try something DIFFERENT every once in a while!

Bigdog:cool:

. . . but, that's the funny part! They're so predictible.

[widac]

What the h%^L is "gout"?

[mstaylor]

The high levels of uric acid in the blood are caused by protein rich foods. Alcohol intake often causes acute attacks of gout and hereditary factors may contribute to the elevation of uric acid, e.g. inborn errors of purine-pyrimidine metabolism.

In layman's terms, it causes swelling and VERY extreme pain. I have a good friend that gets it in his big toe and he says you can't let the bedsheet touch it, less alone wear shoes. You can control it somewhat with diet.

[BlueInVA]

What the h%^L is "gout"?

:ranton:Gout is sometimes referred to as the “disease of kings” because it has long been associated erroneously with the kind of overindulgence in food and wine only the rich and powerful could afford. In fact, anyone can be affected and the risk factors are varied. Fortunately, it is possible to treat gout and reduce its agonizing attacks by avoiding food triggers and taking advantage of medication options.

Fast facts

Intense painful swelling in the feet (and especially the big toe) may indicate gout.

Treatment options exist, but therapy should be individualized for each person.

Avoiding alcohol and certain fish and meats helps prevent further gout attacks.

What is gout?

Gout is a painful and potentially disabling form of arthritis that has been recognized since ancient times. Initial symptoms usually consist of intense episodes of painful swelling in single joints, most often in the feet (especially the big toe). Treatments are now available to control most cases of gout, but diagnosing this disorder can be difficult and treatment plans often have to be tailored for each person.

What causes gout?

Gout occurs when excess uric acid (a normal waste product) accumulates in the body, and crystals deposit in the joints. This may happen because either uric acid production increases or, more often, the kidneys are unable to remove uric acid from the body adequately. Certain foods, such as shellfish and alcohol, may increase uric acid levels and lead to gout attacks.

Some medications also can increase uric acid levels. Examples of such medications include moderate-dose aspirin (81 mg used for prevention of heart attack and stroke has minimal effect and can generally be continued), diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydro-D), and immunosuppressants used in organ transplantation such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and tacrolimus (Prograf). With time, increased uric acid levels in the blood may lead to deposits of monosodium urate crystals in and around the joints. These crystals can attract white blood cells, leading to severe gout attacks. Uric acid also can deposit in the urinary tract, causing kidney stones.

Who gets gout?

Gout afflicts up to 3 million Americans. This condition and its complications occur more often in men, women after menopause, and people with kidney disease. Gout is strongly associated with obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Because of genetic factors, gout tends to run in some families.

The base of the big toe and ankle are red, swollen, and extremely painful due to an acute attack of gout. As the attack subsides, the superficial skin may peel.

How is gout diagnosed?

Several other kinds of arthritis can mimic gout, so proper diagnosis is essential. Gout is suspected when a patient experiences joint swelling and intense pain followed, at least at first, by pain-free periods between attacks. Initial gout attacks often occur at night.

A correct diagnosis may depend on finding the characteristic crystals. The physician will use a needle to extract fluid from an affected joint and examine that fluid under a microscope to determine whether monosodium urate crystals are present. Crystals also can be found in deposits under the skin (called tophi) that occur in advanced gout. Uric acid levels in the blood can be misleading, as these may be temporarily normal or even low during attacks. Uric acid levels also are often elevated in people who do not have gout.

How is gout treated?

Traditionally treatment for acute gout has consisted of colchicine (available only as a generic drug), which can be effective if given early in the attack. However, colchicine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other side effects. Low doses may be better tolerated; doses must be lowered in patients with renal disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are “aspirin like” medications that can decrease inflammation as well as pain in joints and other tissues. NSAIDs -- such as indomethacin (Indocin) and naproxen (Naprosyn) -- have become the treatment choice for most acute attacks of gout. There is no evidence that any one NSAID is better than others. High doses of short-acting NSAIDS provide fastest relief of symptoms. These medications may cause stomach irritation, ulcers, or diarrhea but, if used for the short term, are generally well tolerated.

Some people are unable to take NSAIDS because of medical conditions such as ulcer disease, impaired kidney function or the use of blood thinners. Corticosteroids are important options in patients who cannot take NSAIDS or colchicine. Given orally or by injection directly into the joint or intramuscularly, they can be very effective in treating gout attacks. Resting the affected joint and applying cold compresses to the area also may help alleviate pain.

Efforts to normalize blood uric acid levels should be considered for patients who have repeated gout attacks, unusually high levels of serum uric acid, or tophi or kidney stones. Probenecid (Benemid) helps the kidneys eliminate uric acid. Allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim) blocks production of uric acid and is most often the agent selected to normalize blood levels. Additional new agents to normalize uric acid levels are under development.

What works well for one person may not work as well for another, so decisions about when to start treatment and what drugs to use have to be tailored for each patient, and depend on kidney function and other factors. Once commitment is made to use any agents to lower uric acid levels, therapy should be increased gradually until levels are less than 6 mg/dl at which point crystals can be dissolved.

Drinking alcohol should be reduced or stopped. Diets that restrict foods rich in purines (substances found in meat and certain types of seafood or high fructose beverages) may help in difficult cases. In almost all cases, it is possible to successfully treat gout so that the patient experiences a gradual ending of attacks, and decreases in the number and size of tophi.

Broader health impacts of gout

Gout is often associated with heart and kidney disease, or the use of medications that increase uric acid levels. Therefore, medical tests should include checking for and treatment directed to these related conditions.

Living with gout

Life style changes such as weight control, limiting alcohol consumption, and limiting meals with meats and fish rich in purines, are helpful in controlling gout

Lifestyle changes may make it easier to manage this lifetime disease. Suggestions include gradual weight loss, avoidance of alcohol and, in some cases, reduced consumption of foods high in purines and carbohydrates.

The rheumatologist's role in the treatment of gout

The treatment of gout can be complicated by co-existing medical conditions and other medications. As experts in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatologists evaluate patients to determine whether gout is the cause of their arthritis, educate them about the role and proper use of medications as well as other treatment measures, and act as a resource to primary care physicians.

Points to remember

Gout can be diagnosed accurately by identifying the characteristic crystals in the fluid in joints.

There are two types of treatment for gout: medications to control the attacks of joint pain such as NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids, and medications that can lower the level of uric acid in the body over time so the attacks occur less frequently or not at all.

People with chronic gout often require lifetime treatment with drugs to lower uric acid levels.

Life style changes such as weight control, limiting alcohol consumption, and limiting meals with meats and fish rich in purines can also be helpful in controlling gout.

For more information

The American College of Rheumatology has compiled this list to give you a starting point for your own additional research. The ACR does not endorse or maintain these Web sites, and is not responsible for any information or claims provided on them. It is always best to talk with your rheumatologist for more information and before making any decisions about your care.

The Arthritis Foundation

www.arthritis.org

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse

www.niams.nih.gov

Updated June 2006

Written by H. Ralph Schumacher, MD and reviewed by the American College of Rheumatology Patient Education Task Force.

This patient fact sheet is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnoses and treatment of a medical or health condition.

© 2008 American College of Rheumatology:rantoff:

[Old Nr 24]

I gotta get BlueinVa to explain it the next time I call a balk and the coach complains! Heck of a job, guy!