Health Information

Many people around the world have heard of gout, but really don’t know what it is. It is an illness that doctors have known about for a long time.

Gout is a condition that can cause great pain as a result of inflammation of the joints. Most commonly affected joints include hands and wrists, and ankles and feet. Very frequently the big toe is affected. This misunderstood condition was once thought of as a disease of the rich and those who ate too much.

Causes

Gout is created when the body produces an excessive amount of uric acid. This abundance of uric acid causes crystals to form in the synovial joint, which in turn causes the pain and swelling that have become trademarks of the disease. Some in the medical field claim that gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. Although the condition was once associated with gluttony, health professionals, patients and the general public have become better educated about the causes, symptoms and treatments for gout.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

You may recognize gout by the suddenness with which the symptoms appear. You may feel fine before you go to sleep at night, but wake up with pain. Generally the joints are affected. They may be swollen, to the point of being shiny and reddish. And, of course, there will likely be substantial pain. The painful area may also feel hot, similar to an infection. If you notice that you have lumps developing around your heels, ears, or elbows, you may also have gout. These lumpy areas are also the result of uric acid build up. Victims of gout also sometimes report painful kidney stones.

For some people, these painful gout attacks are a one-time occurrence. Many others, however, will suffer with gout attacks at regular intervals. The pain and swelling will appear and subside every few months. If left untreated, the condition can persist and create permanent damage in the joints.

It can be difficult to diagnose gout as the symptoms are very similar to those of other types of arthritis. Before your doctor determines how to treat your condition, he or she will have to make a positive diagnosis. To determine if there are uric acid crystals in your irritated joints, the doctor may take a sample of your joint fluids. In addition, you may be required to have a blood test to measure uric acid levels in your blood. Also, you will likely have a complete physical examination.

Treatment

Once it has been determined that you do, indeed, have gout, you can begin treatment immediately. Gout can now be managed quite successfully. This is great news for the millions of gout sufferers around the world. There are at least a half million people with gout in the United States alone. Medications, such as allopurinal, can be prescribed to reduce the production of uric acid by the body. Also, anti-inflammatory medications can be used to reduce swelling and pain. Ibuprofen is often successful. It is not a good idea to take aspirin if you suffer from gout. As with many types of arthritis, some of the symptoms of gout can be reduced through regular exercise and a healthy diet. This will likely be recommended by your doctor.

If you suspect that you have gout, it is important that you speak with your doctor to be properly diagnosed. You can begin proper, healthful treatment as soon as you have been properly diagnosed. There is no point in waiting. See your doctor as soon as you can.

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