Everything You Need to Know About Gout Arthritis

WHAT IS GOUT?

Gout is a condition that can be presented as the recurrent attack of inflammatory arthritis (a reddish, hot, swollen joint). The pain most often occurs at the big toe but other joints may be affected like the knees, wrists and fingers. The pain is felt during the night and may last for several hours. High fever and fatigue are also the associated symptoms of this condition. This ailment most commonly affects men that women. Male attacks predominantly occur after puberty while gout attacks in women usually take place after menopause.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GOUT?

Gout is a result of an overload or elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) in the body. Excessive uric acid build up leads to crystal formation depositing in the body tissues especially in the joints. When this happens, the body’s immune system will then react which causes joint inflammation. Causes of gout are linked to unhealthy dietary intake and to an inherited abnormality of the body to process uric acid. Inability of the body to handle uric acid may also result to formation of kidney stones that block the filtering tubules of the kidney, therefore causes kidney failure. Futhermore, certain drugs like low-dose aspirins and tuberculosis medications can also elevate the levels of uric acid levels in the blood and cause gout.

LIFESTYLE AND GENETICS

Unhealthy diet together with uncontrolled alcohol intake, sugary foods, total protein and purine –rich food consumption mainly accounts for this kind of disorder. Foods that are very rich in purines include organ meats like livers, kidney, sweetbreads and seafood such as shellfish. However, physical fitness, and consumption of dairy products, coffee, and vitamin C are believed to reduce the risk due to their ability in reducing insulin resistance. On the other hand, gout is partly caused by genetic disorders which include under excretion and overproduction of urate in the body. Moreover, some other inherited illnesses may also be complicated by gout.

WHAT IS THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT FOR THIS?

There are different drugs that can be utilized to treat and reduce the repeated acute attacks caused by gout. Treatment includes colchicines, and steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs. There are also available medicines that help in reducing uric acid levels and may cure the disease. Ice packs applied for several minutes may also be helpful in decreasing inflammation and in relieving pain.

As gout is fairly related to unhealthy lifestyle, another way to prevent or somehow cure this condition is to have dietary modifications and restrictions. Reducing the intake of purine-rich foods such as seafood and meat, limiting fructose consumption, restricting alcohol intake, consuming enough amounts of vitamin C, and avoiding obesity lowers the risk factor of acquiring this ailment and also reduces the risk for some other complications that may occur. Keeping well hydrated can also minimize the attacks. The optimal medication for treating chronic gout conditions and acute gout attacks still needs further long- term research and studies. Scientists are still on their way of developing less toxic, economical and more effective treatment to battle this illness.