You've
been diagnosed with gout, so what exactly does that mean? Long known
as a disease of the wealthy, we know gout is when you have too much
uric acid in the body. Uric acid buildup can occur, without any symptoms
for years, culminating in painful inflammation of joints, most typically
of the feet and big toes. With proper prevention however, gouty attacks
can be minimized by diet and medications.
The Culprit: Uric Acid
| There
are many conditions that can cause an increased uric acid level.
They include: |
- Obesity
- Excessive
alcohol consumption
- Dehydration
- Eating
purine-containing foods
- Certain
medications for high blood pressure (diuretics)
- Certain
cancers and red blood cell disorders
|
Uric
acid is a by-product of our natural chemical processes when we break
down food or build up body tissues. The accumulation of uric acid
can occur in two ways: Either our body produces too much of it, or
more commonly, our kidneys do not eliminate enough uric acid. Too
much uric acid in the blood is known as hyperuricemia allowing the
formation of uric acid crystals in joints, causing the characteristic
inflammation known as acute gouty arthritis.
Interestingly, most people who have high uric acid levels in their
blood never get gout. And in contrast, there are a few unlucky who
have gout even with normal uric acid levels and in such cases the
cause is still unknown. Gout also tends to run in families.
Symptoms Of Gout
The typical presentation of gout is a painful big toe, and usually
affects only one or two joints at the most. The inflammation can severely
limit the movement of the joint. Uric acid deposits known as tophi
may also develop under the skin. They are generally painless (but
unsightly) and can be found on the fingers, toes, elbows, and on the
outside of the ears. The acute attack will usually subside in a week
if no treatment is initiated. Uric acid kidney stones can also occur
causing the typical presentation of kidney stones, which is symptoms
of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Treatment Of Gout
When a suspected gout attack occurs, the first step is to see your
doctor. Blood work such as checking a uric acid level will often be
drawn, and if the diagnosis is still in question, fluid aspiration
to look for uric acid crystals in the affected joint may be performed.
To treat the arthritis and pain, anti-inflammatory medications such
as indomethacin and colchicine are often prescribed, and if a severe
attack, prednisone may be warranted.
For those with a history of gout attacks, taking a daily medication
such as probenecid or allopurinol will help decrease the amount of
uric acid in the body.
Prevention Of Gout
The key to prevention is limiting the factors that can cause higher
uric acid levels. Historically, keeping your diet low in purine-containing
foods has been recommended to decrease the frequency of gout attacks.
These include:
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