These key messages, identified by Gout Action Aotearoa, a group of clinicians, researchers and organisations with a focus on improving the treatment and management of gout, are helpful when discussing gout with your patient and their whānau:
- Gout is not your fault.
- Gout is caused by too much uric acid in your body. The uric acid forms crystals in your joints, causing painful gout attacks.
- 90% of the uric acid in your body is caused by your genes and kidneys, while only 10% is caused by food and drink.
- Many Māori and Pacific peoples have genes that stop them from getting rid of uric acid in their urine.
- The only way to get rid of the crystals is to take medicine every day to bring your uric acid levels down.
- If you don’t get treatment, the crystals can cause permanent damage to your joints and harm your kidneys.
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