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What is Gout?
( Gout is one
of the most painful forms of arthritis.)
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Gout is one of the most painful forms of
arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup
of uric acid can lead to:
- Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints,
often in the big toe
- Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that
look like lumps under the skin
- Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in
the kidneys.
For many people, the first attack of gout occurs
in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very
sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Gout can cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Heat
- Stiffness in joints.
In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the:
- Insteps
- Ankles
- Heels
- Knees
- Wrists
- Fingers
- Elbows.
A gout attack can be brought on by stressful
events, alcohol or drugs, or another illness. Early attacks usually get better
within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment. The next attack may not occur for
months or even years.
What Causes Gout?
Gout is caused by the buildup of too much uric
acid in the body. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called
purines. Purines are found in all of your body's tissues. They are also in many
foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It
passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. But uric acid can build
up in the blood when:
- The body increases the amount of uric acid
it makes.
- The kidneys do not get rid of enough uric
acid.
- A person eats too many foods high in
purines.
When uric acid levels in the blood are high, it
is called hyperuricemia. Most people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout. But
if excess uric acid crystals form in the body, gout can develop.
You are more likely to have gout if you:
- Have family members with the disease
- Are a man
- Are overweight
- Drink too much alcohol
- Eat too many foods rich in purines
- Have an enzyme defect that makes it hard
for the body to break down purines
- Are exposed to lead in the environment
- Have had an organ transplant
- Use some medicines such as diuretics,
aspirin, cyclosporine, or levodopa
- Take the vitamin niacin.
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms,
medical history, and family history of gout. Signs and symptoms of gout include:
- Hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid in
the blood)
- Uric acid crystals in joint fluid
- More than one attack of acute arthritis
- Arthritis that develops in 1 day, producing
a swollen, red, and warm joint
- Attack of arthritis in only one joint,
usually the toe, ankle, or knee.
To confirm a diagnosis of gout, your doctor may
draw a sample of fluid from an inflamed joint to look for crystals associated
with gout.
How Is Gout Treated?
Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack
of gout, including:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Colchicine, which works best when taken
within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.
Sometimes doctors prescribe NSAIDs or colchicine
in small daily doses to prevent future attacks. There are also medicines that
lower the level of uric acid in the blood.
What Can People With Gout Do to Stay Healthy?
Some things that you can do to stay healthy are:
- Take the medicines your doctor prescribes
as directed.
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines
and vitamins you take.
- Plan followup visits with your doctor.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid
foods that are high in purines, and drink plenty of water.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy
body weight. Ask your doctor about how to lose weight safely. Fast or
extreme weight loss can increase uric acid levels in the blood.
What Research Is Being Done on Gout?
Scientists are studying:
- Which NSAIDs are the most effective
treatments for gout
- Optimal dosages of medications for gout
- New medicines that safely lower uric acid
in the blood and reduce symptoms
- New therapies that block a chemical called
tumor necrosis factor
- Enzymes that break down purines in the body
- The role of foods and certain vitamins
- The role of genetics and environmental
factors
- The interactions of cells involved in acute
gout attacks.
Scientists are also studying the role of
genetics and environmental factors in hyperuricemia and gout.
( Courtesy: http://www.niams.nih.gov/)
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