GOUT

Overview OF Gout

Gout is a very complex type of arthritis anyone can get affected from it. Most oftenly the patient suffers from severe pain, redness and swelling in the joints.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Gout symptoms occur rapidly and sudden onset of pain in affected joint with redness, swelling and inflammation. The signs and symptoms of gout are following:

Swelling:

The affected joint swells characterized by severe pain and redness at that area. The pain of gout is so intense that remains whether someone use medication or not.

Intense pain:

 Gout usually affects the large joint of your big toe, but it can occur in any joint.

Redness:

The affected joint become warm, tender, swollen and red due to the inflammation.

Range of motion:

As gout progresses, you may not able to move your joint to normal range. This is due to the pain and tenderness of the muscles around the joint.

CAUSES

Your body produces uric acid when it break PURINES. The purine are found naturally in the body. Purines are also found in other foods like meat and seafood.

RISK FACTORS

1.Obesity

2.Excessive weight gain

3.Alcohol intake

4.High blood pressure

5.Diabetes

6.Abnormal kidney function

7.High cholesterol level

8.Hyperthyroidism

9.Certain drugs cause increase uric acid

10. Family history

11. Sex ( more in men as women have low level of uric acid)

12. Metabolic disease

13. Insulin resistance

Gout of big toe

The joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site of an acute gout attack. These attacks can recur unless gout is treated. Seesues.

Gout of hand

People may experience gout with deposits of uric acid crystals in their finger joints.

DIAGNOSIS

The most reliable test for disease is detecting uric acid crystals in the joint fluid obtained by joint aspiration. Once joint fluid is obtained, it is analysed for uric acid crystals and infections.

TREATMENT

Prevent kidney stones 

Kidney stones form as a result of chronic high levels of uric acid.

Treatment with medicines

Certain medications reduce the pain and inflammation of disease attacks, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen), colchicine, and corticosteroids.

PREVENTION

Drink plenty of fluids

Stay well-hydrated, including plenty of water.

 Recent evidence suggests that beer may be particularly likely to increase the risk of disease symptoms, especially in men.

Get your protein from low-fat dairy products.

 Low-fat dairy products may actually have a protective effect against this disease, so these are your best-bet protein sources.

Limit your intake of meat, fish and poultry

A small amount may be tolerable, but you may pay attention to the type of the fish and quantity.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

 Experts recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes per week of at least moderate physical activity.

AUTHOR

DR. Kashaf iftikhar