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GoutGout is one of the most frequently recorded illnesses throughout the history of mankind.
What is not so well known is that gout is another form of arthritis. It occurs due to a deposition of uric acid crystals in the tissues of the body. This deposition leads to severe inflammation of the affected areas and is known as gout or gout arthritis.
Gout is a very widespread condition and approximately one million people in the United States alone suffer from this condition. It is more prevalent in men than women, although post menopause, women are also highly susceptible.
Uric acid is a byproduct of many foods that we eat.
Under normal circumstances, the body can easily excrete these by products. However, when it is unable to do so, uric acid builds up in the body. When these uric acid crystals get deposited in the fluid and lining of the joints, they lead to inflammation and pain. These crystals may even lead to kidney stones, or in severe cases, kidney failure.
When uric acid builds up inside a person’s body, this condition is called hyperuricemia.
Not all people with hyperuricemia develop the arthritic symptoms of gout. In some recorded cases, patients with normal uric acid levels have developed the symptoms of gout. It is suspected that the inability to process uric acid is genetic. Other conditions such as obesity, excessive alcohol intake, high blood pressure and abnormal functioning of the kidneys have also been observed to increase the possibility of hyperuricemia, and consequently, gout.
Certain types of medications and diseases such as leukemia, lymphomas, and hemoglobin disorders also increase the chances of contracting this illness.
Symptoms of Gout
The symptoms that are associated with gout are pain and inflammation in the joints of the big toe, ankles, wrists, fingers, and elbows. The affected part becomes unbearably tender. Patients may also experience fever. These attacks of arthritis eventually subside on their own.
However, they will continue to plague the patient with repeated attacks over the years.
Diagnosing gout is a relatively straightforward process due to its unique symptoms. Painful and repeated attacks of arthritis on joints at the base of the toes, ankles, or knees, are prime signs of gout. This diagnosis can be confirmed by testing the uric acid level in the synovial fluid by the process of arthrocentesis. This is necessary to rule out other conditions such as pseudo gout, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments for Gout
The medication that is administered to treat gout works on three levels: pain relief, reducing the inflammation and reducing the elevated levels of uric acid in the blood stream.
In addition to medication, people suffering from gout will also have to make some changes in their lifestyle to minimize the occurrence of these attacks of gouty arthritis. The most important step is to ensure an adequate fluid intake, and by fluids here, we mean water. Alcohol is a strict no-no as it dehydrates the body. Avoiding foods that leave high levels of uric acid is also advisable.
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