If you are one of the more than two million people in the US today who suffer from gout, you probably aren’t comforted by knowing you have what has been termed “the disease of kings”. Gout can be extremely painful and limiting to the sufferer.

Gout occurs when there is an accumulation of sodium urate crystals in the joints which form as a result of an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood. Sixty percent of those who suffer a first attack of gout may expect it to recur, often within one year. Untreated, gout can lead to permanent joint damage and chronic pain.

The Gout & Uric Acid Education Society have a website dedicated to education for gout sufferers on the disease itself, treatments and lifestyle changes to assist the gout sufferer with regaining quality of life.

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men over 40 and women past menopause.

For information and education about gout, visit the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society.

Medicare will expand coverage for preventative care including diabetes screening starting January 1, 2007.

The expanded coverage will include diabetes outpatient self-management training and medical nutrition therapy.

Medicare will cover tests to check for diabetes without coinsurance or copayment or Part B deductible for people with the following risk factors: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels), obesity, or a history of high blood sugar. Medicare also covers these tests if people have two or
more of the following characteristics:

• age 65 or older,
• overweight,
• family history of diabetes (parents, brothers, sisters),
• a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during
pregnancy) or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9
pounds.

Based on the results of these tests, people may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings every year.

For more information visit Medicare Partner Tip Sheet