Yes, I've experienced gout attacks a few times on the base of my right big toe. I could barely walk because of the biting pain, and even the weight of bedclothes hurt. My big toe swelled up and the nearby skin looked red and inflamed. The attacks would last several days but would go completely within 10 days. My doctor found a raised level of uric acid in my blood.

He says that lifestyle changes can help to prevent gout attacks. I should try losing some weight and eat sensibly. I need to avoid a high protein intake and foods rich in purines, such as liver, kidneys and seafood. Drinking a lot of alcohol or sugar-sweetend soft drinks can be harmful. Instead, drinking plenty of water would help me, and I'm on medication.

I have a strongly defiant spirit, a spirit I inherited from my ancestors. You know, in most cases learning something essential in life requires physical pain. Historically, gout has been referred to as "the king of diseases and the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease". Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, Charles Darwin and Issac Newton had it.

Perhaps, yes. It's what we call "the samurai spirit", but I'm just joking. Please forget about it. Let's go back to the original topic, it is always difficult to follow the Drs' recommendations precisely. At least, I take medicine every day to keep my uric acid level normal to prevent gout attacks, and often have blood tests to check the level.

I agree with you. I'll take what you've said to heart, but I'm a firm believer in striking the right balance between theory and practice. Setting some feasible goals in daily life would be the initial step. I wonder whether a smartphone health monitoring may work to incentivize me, such as a pedometer. I'll begin to walk more than 10,000 steps every day.