Symptoms of Gout or sometimes
called Gouty Arthritis can be the most painful chronic type of inflammatory
arthritis. Patients with Gouty Arthritis complain of tenderness,
redness, and warmth around swelling joints. The most common joint
affected by gout is the big toe but it can also affect the heels,
ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and fingers. The symptoms of Gout
develop quickly and usually occur at night. Gouty arthritis has
been around for centuries and was once known as a rich man's disease,
since it was believed to be a result of gluttony. Today symptoms
of Gout are known to affect people of all walks of life. The term
arthritis refers to more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that
affect joints, muscle, bone, and other tissues. Gouty Arthritis
accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of arthritis.
Gout is a metabolic disorder in which Uric
Acid builds up forming crystals in the fluid that lubricates
the joint. Uric Acid
is a result of broken down purines that are part of all human tissue
and found in many foods. It is normally dissolved in the blood and
passed through the kidneys then eliminated in urine. When this process
does not take place, Uric
Acid builds up in the blood (a condition called hyperuricemia)
that could cause Gouty Arthritis and kidney stones.
Pseudogout is where calcium phosphate crystals form in the joints
versus uric acid. Though they are similar, they both require different
treatments. Hyperuricemia maybe a result of consuming high-purine
foods such as dried beans, liver, peas, and anchovies.
Several risk factors that may develop symptoms of Gout and Hyperuricemia
are:
Genetics
Gender and Age
Over consumption of alcohol
A diet rich in purines
Being overweight and crash diets
Exposure to lead in the environment
Surgery
Stress
Excessive exercise
Genetics may be linked to the
disease since almost 18% percent of people with Gout have a family
history of it. Though anyone can develop symptoms of Gout, more
men develop Gout than women. It affects 70 - 80% of men with the
first attack starting between 40 and 50 years of age. Drinking too
much alcohol can affect removal of uric acid from the body causing
Hyperuricemia and Gout. Other symptoms may include lumps found under
the skin around the elbows, heels, or ears.
Symptoms of Gout can be
treated with a proper diet and exercise by limiting high-purine
foods and alcohol. There are medications available to help control
levels of Uric Acid in
the body. Doctors have been prescribing Colchicine for Gouty Arthritis.
The drug relieves pain quickly but there are some side effects such
as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Many choose alternative
therapies, which include meditation and relaxation, exercise,
acupuncture, and natural supplements, such as Glucosamine
and Chondroitin Sulfate. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist
about starting a diet and exercise regiment.