What is Gout?

Gout is a very painful form of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. This build up can lead to sharp uric acid crystal deposits in the joints, often in the big toe. These deposits of uric acid, which are known as tophi, look like lumps under the skin. If you suspect you have gout, get diagnosed as soon as possible. This is an extremely painful disorder which will not go away by itself.

Usually, the first attack of Gout occurs in a person's big toe. If an attack occurs at nighttime, it can disturb a person's sleep and wake them up. The toe will look very sore, red and swollen. Gout can also cause stiffness in the joints and heat in the affected area. It is not just the big toe that is affected by Gout. It can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. An attack can be brought on by a number of situations, such as illness, stress, alcohol or drugs. In the early days, attacks can often get better within 3 to 10 days, even without medical treatment. The next attack may not occur for many months or even years.

As we have already mentioned, Gout is caused by a buildup of excessive amounts of uric acid in the body. It comes from the breakdown of substances that are called purines. Purines can be found in all of the body's tissues. They can also be found in foods such as liver and anchovies. During normal function, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It then passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. However, uric acid can build up in the blood when the body increases the amount of uric acid it produces, the kidneys do not function properly in getting rid of enough uric acid and when a person eats too many foods that are high in purines. When uric acid levels reach a high level in the blood, this condition is known as "hyperuricemia". It does not necessarily mean that a person who has hyperuricemia will develop Gout. The disorder only develops when uric acid crystals form in the body.

A person is more likely to develop Gout if they are a man, have a family history of Gout or drinks excessive amounts of alcohol. It can also develop if a person eats too many foods rich in purines, has had an organ transplant and uses diuretics, aspirin, cyclosporine or levodopa. If any of these factors relate to your situation, you could have Gout. The disease will be diagnosed by your doctor after asking you about your symptoms and finding out about your family history. The doctor will look to see if hyperuricemia is present (a high level of uric acid in the blood), see if there is a build up of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid, and feel to see if the joint is warm and swollen. In order to confirm Gout, the doctor will usually draw a sample of the fluid from the inflamed joint and then look for crystals.

Gout can be successfully treated through the use of drugs. These would include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, or Colchicine, which works best if taken within the first 12 hours after an acute gout attack. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone may also be offered. Some doctors prefer to prescribe NSAIDs or Colchicone in small daily doses in order to prevent future attacks from occurring. The drugs can also benefit the patient by reducing the level of uric acid that is present in the blood.

Patients can do much to help prevent further attacks and stay healthy. They should continue to take medications prescribed by their doctor, even if the symptoms have gone and they feel well. Ongoing medication can help prevent attacks. The doctor needs to be informed about any other medications and vitamins that you are taking. Follow up with your doctor, to make sure that you are in good health. Help yourself by eating a balanced, healthy diet and try to avoid foods that are high in purines and drink plenty of water. Exercise on a regular basis and try to maintain a steady, healthy weight. Consult your doctor for ways to lose weight in a safe manner, as rapid weight loss can actually increase uric acid levels in the blood and prove counter-productive. By following these simple steps, you can help to control Gout and avoid painful attacks in future.

Source:

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/gout/ffgout.htm#a