Gout
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January 13, 2020
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Gout
Gout is a complex form of arthritis, nevertheless common and can affect anyone. A sudden attack of pain, swelling, or tenderness in the joints characterizes gout. These attacks can occur suddenly, often waking one up in the middle of the night.
The signs and symptoms of gout include:
- Intense joint pain, usually affecting the large joint of the big toe, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
- After the initial severe bout of pain, discomfort in joints may linger for a few days to a few weeks.
- Tenderness, warmth and swelling with limited range of motion in the affected joints
What causes gout? Having high levels of uric acid in the blood can cause sharp needle-like urate crystals to accumulate in joints causing inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. This accumulation happens when the body produces too much uric acid, or the kidneys excrete too little of it.
Risk factors:
- Diet rich in meat and seafood, consuming alcohol (mainly beer) or high fructose beverages
- Being overweight
- Having high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney diseases
- Medications such as thiazide diuretics, low-dose aspirin or anti-rejection drugs
People with a family history of gout, women after menopause, or men between the ages of 30 and 50 also have an increased risk of developing gout.
To prevent gout:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid alcohol
- Limit intake of high-fat dairy, meat, fish and poultry
- Maintain a desirable body weight
If left untreated, gout may progress to severity causing recurrent or advanced gout or kidney stones.
X-ray imaging or ultrasound could help diagnose gout. Treatment of gout is through medications. Drugs used to treat acute gout include mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids.
Engaging in regular physical activity with a focus on following a heart-healthy diet could help limit the severity of gout.
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Disclaimer: Don’t follow any suggestions in this article without consulting a qualified doctor
Source: Gout: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897