Definition or Meaning of Gout
Gout is a common, painful form of arthritis. It causes swollen, red, hot and stiff joints. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in your blood. This happens if your body produces extra acid or does not eliminate enough, or if you eat too many foods with purines, such as liver and dried beans. Pseudogout has similar symptoms and is sometimes confused with gout. However, it is caused by calcium phosphate, not uric acid.
Often, gout first attacks your big toe. It can also attack ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. Medline Plus
What Is Gout?
What is Gout? According to National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis.How does Gout Occur?
Gout occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:
- Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe
- Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin
- Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Gout Causes
What can Gout Cause
Gout can cause pain, swelling, redness, heat and stiffness in joints
Where else can Gout Affect? In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the insteps, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, elbows
Gout treatment / Remedies for Gout
Treatment of Gout
How Is Gout Treated? Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack of gout. Drugs like Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack are use for most treatment of Gout.
Prevention of GoutSometimes doctors prescribe NSAIDs or colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks from Gout. There are also medicines that lower the level of uric acid in the blood. These medicines also help to prevent GoutGout Symptoms
Symtoms of gout are quite difficult to predict.
Symptoms of gout can develop rapidly over a few hours, and will usually last for between 3-10 days.
After this time, the joint will start to feel normal again, and any pain or discomfort should eventually disappear completely.
Primary Symptom of Gout
The primary symptom of gout is acute joint pain, usually in the joint of the big toe. Symptoms of gout often develop during the night, although they can occur at any time.
Other symptoms of gout include: inflammation, red and shiny skin over the affected joint, peeling, itchy and flaky skin over the affected joint, and swelling.
Pain caused by gout can make walking and other physical exercise difficult.
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