Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis. It can trigger sudden and abrasive attacks of joint pain. Gout attacks may occur suddenly or return repeatedly over time. The recurrence of gout can cause tissue damage in the area affected by inflammation. These attacks can also be very painful. It may cause redness and swelling, and in certain cases it can cause lumpy deposits that can be visible beneath the skin.
If you are someone who has experienced a painful gout attack, there are many effective treatments that can manage and relieve the symptoms of Gout. We created this comprehensive guide to help to understand the Gout condition, along with its causes, diagnosis and treatment methods.
Gout Symptoms
Mentioned below are a few signs of gout that an individual can suffer:
- A sudden, severe joint pain. This usually occurs in the early morning or in the middle night.
- Joint tenderness
- Feeling heat in the affected joints
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen joints
- Discoloration or redness
Gout Causes
An excess build-up of uric acid in the body can cause Gout. When you consume foods containing purines, your body produces uric acids. You usually remove uric from your blood through your kidneys. Sometimes your kidneys can’t filter out enough uric acids from your blood. Hyperuricemia is a condition in which your body produces high levels of acid. This can cause uric crystals to build up around your joints. These sharp crystals can cause pain, swelling and other symptoms. Hyperuricemia is common, but this does not definitely mean that you can develop gout.
Risk Factors
Listed below are a few risk factors that can contribute to the development of hyperuricemia and Gout:
Advanced Age
This is a more prevalent illness among older adults and not seen in young people frequently.
Genetics
A history of gout in the family could increase the risk in an individual.
Gender
Gout is three to four times more likely to occur in males than in females.
Lifestyle Choices
Alcohol can hinder the flush of uric acids from the body. Additionally, a high-purine diet like tomatoes, Spinach can increase uric acid levels in the body. Drinking alcohol and following this kind of diet can raise the chance of developing gout.
Certain Medications
Certain medicines like diuretics or cyclosporine can raise the amount of uric acid in the body.
Weight
Being overweight or obese or having an excessive amount of visceral fat can likely be a risk factor for developing Gout.
Other Health Issues
Other common health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, renal Renal impairment / kidney stone can hinder the body’s ability of removing waste, resulting in elevated levels of uric acids.
Gout Diagnosis
Listed below are a few methods of gout diagnosis that your doctor may suggest:
Test for Joint Fluid:
The doctors take an amount of fluid from a joint to determine the presence of urate crystals.
Blood Tests
The doctors may advise you to get a blood test to measure the amount of uric acid in your blood. However, sometimes these results could be misleading. There are people who have excessive levels of uric acids but don’t suffer from Gout. Some people suffer gout but do not usually have levels of uric acids in their blood.
X-ray
These tests show X-ray images of joints and can be helpful in determining the causes of joint inflammation.
Ultrasound
This method detects urate crystals in joints or tophi through computerized tomography using sound waves with dual energy (DECT). To see urate crystals in joint joints, the test combines the images from X-rays taken from various angles.
Gout Stages
Gout may develop through four phases, beginning with symptoms-free Gout. This is when sufferers experience no symptoms associated with the condition; however, the levels of uric acids increase in the body.
The next is the acute gout stage which is accompanied by symptoms of extreme redness and pain that lasts for several weeks.
This is followed by intercritical Gout. This is when repeated gout attacks occur with no pain in between the attacks.
The last level can be chronic tophaceous Gout which can lead to additional medical issues like kidney disease.
Gout Treatment Methods
There are two main types of gout medication, each focusing on a different problem. The first type reduces the pain and inflammation associated with gout attacks. The second type helps prevent gout complications, by lowering uric acids in the blood.
The most suitable type of medication will depend on your symptoms and other problems you have.
Medical Treatment
Gout is usually treated with medicines. Your doctor will prescribe medications based on your current health condition. The gout medications basically aim to prevent acute attacks in the future and to reduce the risk for complications.
What To Do For A Sudden Gout Flare?
Listed below are a few things you can do at home for a sudden gout attack:
- You can take NSAIDs prescribed by the doctor to relieve the pain.
- Apply ice for 20-30 mins multiple times daily.
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol to flush out some uric acids.
- Use crutches or cane to relieve the pressure on the area.
- Avoid activities that cause pain.
- Consult a health care provider about your symptoms
Surgical Options
A surgery is a rare treatment method used for a gout attack. An operation may be an option if repeated gout attacks causes gout joint arthritis. The surgical options for gouty osteoarthritis vary depending upon the affected area and can include:
- A joint replacement (arthroplasty)
- A joint fusion (arthrodesis)
Long Term Treatment
Gout management is not just about treating the acute attacks, but also preventing further episodes. Listed below are a few long-term treatment ways that may help reduce uric acids in the body:
- Avoid Purine-Rich Items: These items can raise uric acids and you must avoid red meat, organs meats and certain seafoods.
- Limit Alcohol: Alcohol, particularly beer, can increase uric acid levels. Thus, you may avoid alcohol or limiting its intake can help you manage gout symptoms.
- Have Low Fat Dairy: The products include items like yogurt and skimmed milk that can reduce the risk of gout attacks.
- Exercise: Many people wonder how to exercise as the joints become painful and sensitive due to gout. However, inactivity can weaken joints, leading to bone loss, which can intensify gout symptoms. Thus, exercising can boost your energy levels, making you stay fit and maintain a healthy weight.
Is Gout Curable?
While gout isn’t curable; however, it is possible to treat it and achieve remission. Based on the severity of the illness and the prescribed urate-lowering and anti-inflammatory medications, many patients are capable of reducing flare-ups, relieve the pain and regulate the levels of uric acid in the system.
Partnering with a medical professional skilled in treating Gout issues is the best way to achieve disease remission.
Wrapping Up!
We tried our best to cover every relatable aspect about the Gout condition in this blog piece. If you suffer frequent gout symptoms, then don’t worry you can manage everything with the correct treatment. There are many effective treatments methods as we listed above, including self-care and dietary modifications. Thus, understanding what helps you control your gout best is essential. Consult a medical expert at Gadge Hospital if you suffer any Gout symptoms. The team of medical professionals are always by your side to help you manage and treat your gout condition with the right care and guidance.