Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Working, living, and recreating in the Silicon Valley means good food, good wine, and a taste of the exquisite. The technology giants residing in the neighborhoods of Santa Clara, Menlo Park, and Mountain View hire and retain the best talent across the world. The abundance of incredibly skilled and talented humans in the region increases the demand for high-value food and drink as a consequence of success. The position of Silicon Valley near the ports of Oakland and the cultural center of San Francisco provides access to some of the finest food and drink imports from around the world. The availability of these markets has created a lifestyle that is reminiscent of royal families and oligarchs. We eat like kings: grade A5 wagyu imported from Japan, the best single malt whiskeys from Scotland and Japan, the best vintage wines from Napa with imports from France and Italy, chocolates from local makers are sampled alongside royal chocolate confectioners established during the imperial dynasties of Europe, caviar from sustainably farmed California sturgeon plated with imported caviars, and Dungeness crab and wild-caught Salmon from the Pacific Northwest is available in any market throughout their respective harvesting seasons. All of these factors combine to form the perfect storm for gout.
The “disease of kings” is an inconvenient side effect of living like kings. Gout does not discriminate between royalty, successful business oligarchs, and hard-working citizens. Its primary targets are those whose lifestyles are sedentary and predisposed toward obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Warning: if you are overweight and inactive with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, you are at a much higher risk of experiencing gout.
Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body, and in humans is often caused by an imbalanced diet high in purines. Foods high in purines include red meats, organ meats, and certain seafoods and shellfish; all of which are widely consumed by Silicon Valley residents. The CDC specifically mentions: “The body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in your body and the foods you eat. When there is too much uric acid in the body, uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body.” The uric acid crystals that form in the joints are the source of pain for the afflicted. The symptoms of gout present themselves as acute pain and swelling of joints in the toes, feet, and knees.
Thankfully, Core Health Infusion Center is well positioned at the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View’s El Camino Hospital, and prepared to diagnose and treat your gout symptoms. Our nursing staff is well-qualified and attentive to your specific needs. Dr. Myneni is a compelling doctor whose expertise includes diagnosis and preventative care regarding gouty arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Myneni’s expertise includes over a decade of successful care and treatment for her patients and she is incredibly familiar with the intricacies of both gouty arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.