How to Deal with Gout

Gout can cause burning, stiffness, and swelling, usually in the big toe. These conditions will continue unless treated. Gout harms the joint, tendons, and tissues. It is usually a condition that men have. It is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Normally it is not harmful, but when levels get high it can cause crystals to occur in the joints.

The symptoms are nighttime attacks of swelling, tenderness, redness, and also sharp pains in the big toe. It can attack your foot, ankle, and knees. These attacks lasts for days and sometimes even weeks before subsiding. You may experience other attacks within months or years. Even while the pain is gone seek medical attention because the uric acid can still be in your joints and cause harm.

The gout is diagnosed when your doctor does a physical and take samples of fluid from your joints. He will be looking for the uric fluid or crystals. He can also measure the fluid in your blood with a blood test. You can treat the gout with a shot of corticosteroids from your doctor. He may also prescribe medications.

Your pain should subside within 24 hours of treatment. Rest your hurting joints. Take an anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen, but no aspirin. Aspirin can cause your uric acid levels to rise. Watch your diet. Obesity is a risk factor for gout. The best way to control your occurrences is to keep your diet low in fat. It may even help you to lose weight. Do not do any fastening. Avoid low calorie diets because they will increase your levels of uric acids, probably bringing on an attack.

Alcohol is not good for you on any level. You should limit your intake of alcohol. Beer is especial bad for you. It will reduce your release of uric acid by your kidneys into your urine which will cause it to be released into your body. Don't eat a lot of meat or seafood. These are high purine foods which can raise your uric acid levels.

Consult with your doctors on medicines that you are currently taking . Some medicines used for other conditions can reduce your amount of uric acid expelled by your kidney. These medications can include water pills and niacin. Continuous use of a low-dose aspirin can also raise those uric levels. It may be advised by your doctor to continue them due to their prevention of stroke or heart attacks.

source: www.webmd.com/a-z-guides/gout-topic-overview