Gout Definition-Prevention And Treatment

Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone in which the patient has a high level of uric acid in his blood. During gout attacks, tiny uric acid stones accumulated in the joints causing inflammation. Let's take a look at gout definition, prevention, and treatment.

 

gout

Gout main symptoms:

  • Sudden and severe attacks of achy pain.

  • Swelling joints.

  • Redness especially the joint located at the base of the big toe.

 

A gout attack can come on suddenly, and often wake you up in the middle of the night with a severe pain sensation like if your big toe is on fire. 

 

Stages of gout

  • In the first stage; the level of uric acid begins to rise without side effects.

  • In the second stage; the patient faces acute gout attacks which may last for several days.

  • In the third stage; the patient may have acute gout symptoms even in a period between attacks, also symptoms usually last for months or several years.

  • In the final stage; when the patient doesn't receive proper treatment, the condition progresses to chronic gout.

 

Gout progression:

Gout develops, in general, in adult men between the ages of 30 and 45 years. But women usually develop gout after the age of fifty-five. Fortunately, gout is considered as sex-oriented. 

Gout is a common disease in people over the age of 65, regardless of gender, and is rare in children.

 

Gout synonyms in medicine:

  • Arthritis 

  • King's disease referred to the funny tale that gout only affects the rich populations in society due to the misunderstanding that it comes only from eating red meat-rich meals every day. But widen your knowledge with us to get all gout causes below! 

 

gout diet

Gout estimated causes:

Gout is a complex disease, and there are several factors that may play a role, such as:

  • Joint injuries.

  • Severe obesity.

  • Genetic factors.

  • Alcoholic drinks.

  • Chemotherapy agents. 

  • Chronic kidney disease.

  • Infection after undergoing an operation.

  • Eating too much, or fasting for a long time.

  • Dehydration, and not drinking enough fluids.

  • Medications which increase the level of uric acid in blood like Diuretics.

  • Some health disorders are accompanied by elevated uric acid leveling and precipitate gout finally, e.g. high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart diseases.

  • Sex and age, it is a common disease among men under the age of 60, more than women.

  • Red meat, shellfish, beans, and some protein-rich vegetables that increase uric acid levels and may cause gout also. 


Stages of development of gout:

  • Gout flare:

Usually, gout affects one joint, often the big toe or knee. Over time, gout flares may appear in multiple joints simultaneously, and they may be accompanied by a fever.

 

  • Gout between flare stages:

This is the period between the occurrence of recurrent attacks of acute gout symptoms. Acute gout attacks usually recur within two years, but if it is not treated properly it may happen sooner.

 

  • Galston gout:

People who have frequent gout attacks or hyperuricemia that has persisted for many years can develop gallstone gout. This term describes the accumulation of large numbers of urate crystals in the form of lumps, or stones, that may cause bone erosion, and ultimately joint damage and deformation, and it is called gout arthropathy.

 

gout symptoms

Complications:

  • Kidney stones.

  • Joint damage and deformities.

  • Uric acid stones accumulated in body joints. Although this stone collection may not be painful, it may cause damage to the joints, bones, and cartilage.

  • Finally, kidney disease occurs or kidney failure.

 

gout medicines

Gout Diagnosis:

 Some diseases cause joint inflammation and pain similarly to gout attacks. Therefore gout can be diagnosed well if a person suffers one or more episodes of acute joint pain, followed by a period in which there are no symptoms, with persistent hyperuricemia. 

Gout diagnosis is proceeded by the following:

  • Medical history.

  • Blood analysis.

  • Clinical examination.

  • Gout X-rays, CT scans, sound waves, or magnetic resonance imaging may be performed; To reveal tissues and bones.

  • The best way to gout diagnosis is a gout lab by examining the fluid which causes the swollen affected joint (synovial fluid) under a microscope which can visually detect the presence of gout-uric acid crystals. 

  • Physicians assess the most crucial points like the severity of the gout attack pain, the length of the episode, and the clinical stage of the affected joints by time.

 

gout remedies

Prophylaxis against Gout

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a major part of your treatment plan and preventing gout, including

Healthy food:

  • Eat healthy foods that help reduce the level of uric acid in the blood, including:

  • All vegetables.

  • Skim milk and low-fat milk products which are used in the gout diet.

  • vitamin c.

  • Whole grains.

  • Vegetable oils.

Avoid alcoholic drinks 

Drink enough fluids, especially water.

Physical Activity and gout diet, starting to lose excess weight reduces uric acid and prevents gout.

 

gout treatment

Gout medical treatment:

Treatment of gout attacks aims to reduce pain and inflammation and to reduce complications quickly and safely. This treatment is usually short-lived and limited by the duration of the flare-up. Which drugs to use depends on several factors, such as the risk of bleeding, kidney health, and a history of ulcers in the stomach or small intestine.


Considering consulting your doctor well to decide the most appropriate line to your condition and refer your pharmacist concerning the best instructions about the use and expected side effects of your treatment. 

 

Gout medication includes; 

  • Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, NSAIDs.

  • Using colchicine

  • Allopurinol is the drug of choice for gout treatment.

 

Our dew treats for you today to take care of your health. Health is like a crown of healthy people, which can be only appreciated by unhealthy ones. Therefore my darling when you feel any fatigue, visit your doctor, and make periodic checks to attain your health optimum.

 

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