Gout
is a kind of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in
the joints. The uric acid causes joint pain. Perhaps the
oldest known type of arthritis, gout or gouty arthritis
has been described since Hippocrates in the 5th century
B.C. At one time, the term "gout" was used to describe
all types of arthritis.
Acute gouty arthritis is an attack of a metabolic
disease marked by uric acid deposits in the joints. The
disorder causes painful arthritis, especially in the
joints of the feet and legs.
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Gout has four stages:
1) asymptomatic (without symptoms)
2) acute
3) intercritical
4) chronic
In acute (the second stage) gouty arthritis, symptoms
develop suddenly and usually involve only one or a few
joints. The pain frequently starts during the night and
is often described as throbbing, crushing, or
excruciating. The joint appears infected with signs of
warmth, redness, and tenderness.
The gout attacks on joints may subside in several days,
but may recur at irregular intervals. Subsequent gout
attacks usually have a longer duration. Some people may
progress to chronic gouty arthritis, while others may
have no further attacks.
Who can have a gout attack?
If you eat a lot of foods that are rich in purines, you
may have a gout attack. Some of these foods are salmon,
sardines, liver and herring. You may have a gout attack
if you are overweight, drink alcohol or have high
cholesterol. Men tend to have gout attacks more often
than women do. Some medicines may cause gout attacks,
such as certain diuretics (water pills), niacin (a
B-complex vitamin), aspirin (taken in low doses),
cyclosporine and some drugs used to treat cancer. The
risk for gout attacks is greater in men, postmenopausal
women, and people who drink alcohol.
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What is a gout attack like?
It may be sudden. It usually starts at night, often in
the big toe or foot. The joint becomes red, feels hot
and hurts. The joint hurts more when you touch it. Other
joints may also be affected.
What should I do if I have a gout attack?
The sooner you get treatment, the sooner the pain will
go away. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to stop the
joint swelling and pain. You should rest in bed. Putting
an ice pack and then a hot pad on the joint may ease the
pain. Keeping the weight of clothes or bed covers off
the joint may also help. With treatment, your gout
attack should go away in a few days. You may or not have
another gout attack.
What if I don't get treatment?
If you don't get treatment, a gout attack can last for
days or even weeks. If you keep having more gout
attacks, more joints will be affected, and the gout
attacks will last longer. If you have gout attacks for
many years, you may develop tophi (pronounced toe-fee).
These are soft tissue swellings caused by uric acid
crystals. Tophi usually form on the toes, fingers, hands
and elbows. You may also get kidney diseases or kidney
stones. Over time, the bone around a joint may be
destroyed.
What can I do to avoid gout attacks?
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to prevent future
gout attacks. These medicines wash the uric acid from
your joints, reduce the swelling or keep uric acid from
forming. Arthritin, a natural and safe alternative to
gout medications, can also prevent gout attacks. If you
have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, get
treatment and follow a low-salt, low-fat diet. Also stay
away from alcohol and foods that are high in
purines. Drinking lots of water can help flush uric acid
from your body.
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