Gout

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Gout

• By Marnie Levitt

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What is Gout?

• Gout is a common form of Arthritis where joints
  can inflame, usually overnight
• Multiple hours can lead to terrible pain,
  tenderness, warmth, stiffness, and swelling of
  the joints
• The skin may appear shiny and red in the area of
  inflammation
• Usually one joint is affected at a time

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Causes

• Uric acid takes a part in the normal breaking
  down and building up of foods and tissues
• Hyperuricaemia is an over abundance of uric acid
  in the blood
• forms crystals in the joints causing inflammation
  over time

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Risk Factors

• Heredity
• Injury to a joint
• Obesity
• Crash diets
• High alcohol intake (especially beer and wine)
• Certain High Blood Pressure drugs
• High intake of purines that produce uric acid
  (found in certain foods discussed later)
• Kidney disease
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy

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Incidence and Prevalence

• Most commonly occurs in the big toe
• Other areas include the ankles, heels, knees, and
  wrists
• Untreated attacks can last about a week
• Later attacks become more severe and frequent,
  leading to chronic Gout
• Gout affects mostly men over 40 and women after
  menopause
• Surveys find that 10 of adult males have Gout

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Pathology

• Overnight inflammation of the joints
• Painful stiffness, tenderness, warmth, and
  swelling of the joints
• The skin around the joints appears to be red and
  shiny

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Diagnosis and Treatment

• A physical examination by doctor
• Examination of medical history
• Measurement of uric acid in the blood
• Joint fluid checked for uric acid crystals

• Seek medical advice
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Elevation and rest to the joint
• Drink four to five extra glasses of water a day
• Long term continuous use of drugs to reduce
  Hyperuricaemia

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Prevention

• Avoid lots of red meats, shellfish, scallops,
  peas, lentils, beans, and offal foods such as
  liver and heart ( Purines)
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Healthy diet and exercise
• Monitor High Blood Pressure and medications