Gout: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that develops around the big toe joints. Gout is often caused by excessive levels of uric acid present in the blood. These high levels of uric acid crystallize and settle within the body. The body produces uric acid by breaking down waste products found in the blood, especially those containing purines and alkalis. The body naturally produces purines, an organic compound. They can also be consumed from high-alkaline foods like meat and by being overweight. These organic compounds that are naturally produced by the body are called purines.

In cases where these uric acid crystals are formed and have an effect on the body, it results in redness and severe swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the joints of the big toe. This condition is called gout. Typically, Gout is found in men below the age of thirty and very rare in women.

The Symptoms

Gout symptoms can be severe and painful. They usually disappear within one week. Later, they may persist for months or even years.

Mentioned below are a few some symptoms:

• Infected joints include the ankles, knees, heels and wrists
• The joint of the bigfoot is more often inflamed. This is usually seen as reddish swollen-like
• Gout can also cause acute bursitis – the inflammation as a result of fluid filled in the sac of the joints
• Gout increases the risk of developing kidney stones or any kidney related diseases
• This form of arthritis could also cause fatigue and high fever

Pseudogout

Pseudogout – another form of gouty arthritis that is inflammatory – causes redness, pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It can affect one or multiple joints simultaneously. Generally, the most affected part of the body is the knee. Other affected parts include the elbows, hips, joints of fingers, toes and ankles and the shoulders

The Treatments and Prevention

Some of the simple ways of preventing Gout are as follows:

• Inclusion of nutritional supplements such as vitamin A, which improves and maintains overall health
• Focusing on sustaining normal levels of uric acid, restoring any damaged tissue and also enhancing the recovery of the tissues
• Numerous evidence shows that regular use of ice cubes, for approximately twenty minutes per day, is effective in reducing pain and swelling
• Protein consumption on a daily basis should not be more than 0.8g per kg of body weight
• For severe attacks, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medication is vital. In addition to this, the patient should also keep a constant focus on pain relief and inflammation

Conclusion 

All of the above information relates to gout!

Hopefully, these notes will assist you in understanding the major themes and remembering the crucial elements for the exam. Gout is a condition in which the body is impacted by uric acid crystals, which produces inflammation, redness and swelling in the joint tissues of the big toe. Men under the age of 30 are more likely to develop this illness than women.