Gout is a painful condition caused by excess uric acid in the body.
It’s characterized by sudden ,severe attack of pain ,swelling ,redness and tenderness in one or more joints most often in the big toe .An attack of gout can occur suddenly often waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big is on fire .The affected joint is hot , swollen and so tender that even the weight of the bedsheet on it may seem intolerable.
SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of the gout almost always occur suddenly and often at night .They include;
1.Intense joint pain
Gout usually affects the big toe ,but it can occuring any joint .Other commonly affected joints include the nodes ,knees , elbow,wrist and fingers .The pain is likely to be most severe within the first 4-12 hours after it begins.
2.Lingering discomfort
After the most severe pain subsides ,some joint discomfort may last from a few weeks later attack are likely to last longer and affect more joints.
3.Inflammation and redness
The affected joints or joints become swollen ,tender ,warm and red.
4.Limited range of motion
As gout progress ,you may not be able to move your joints normally.
CAUSES
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joints,causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack,Urate crystal can form when you have high levels of uric acids in your blood Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purine substance that are found naturally in your body .Purines are also found in certain foods including redmeat ,and organ meat ,such as liver ,purines rich seafood includes anchories ,sardines,mussels ,scallops trout and tuna.Alcoholic beverages especially beer and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) promote higher levels of uric acid . Normally,uric acid dissolve in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine .But sometimes either your body produces too much uric acid or your kidney excrete too little uric acid .When this happen,uric acid can build up , forming sharp ,needle like urate crystals Ina joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain , inflammation and swelling.
RISK FACTORS
1 .Diet -Eating
A diet rich in red meat and shellfish and drinking beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) increase levels of uric acid,which increase your risk of gout . Alcohol consumption, especially of beer also increases the risk of gout
2 .Weight
If you are overweight ,your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating uric acid .
3 .Mediced conditions
Certain diseases and conditions increase your risk of gout .These include untreated high blood pressure and chronic condition such as diabetes,obesity metabolic syndrome and heart and kidney diseases.
4.Certain medications
Low dose aspirin and some medications used to control hypertension including thiazide diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta blockers also can increase uric acid levels .
5 . Family history of gout
If other member of your family have had gout , you are more likely to develop the disease.
6 .Age and sex
Gout occurs more often on men than women .Men are more likely to develop gout earlier usually between the ages of 30-50 whereas women generally develop signs and symptoms after menopause.
7.Recent surgery or trauma
Experiencing recent surgery or trauma can sometimes trigger a gout attack .
COMPLICATIONS
1.Recurrent gout
2.Advanced gout
3.Kidney stones
DIAGNOSIS
1.Joint fluid test
2.Blood test
3.X rays imaging
4.Ultrasound
5.Dual energy computerized tomography (DECT)
LIFE STYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
*Choose healthier beverages
*Avoid foods high in purines -red meat ,and organ meats ,purines rich sea food include anchories ,sardines ,mussels ,scallops ,trout and tuna .
*Exercise regularly and loose weight .
