Information on Gout
Gout is a painful condition that affects many people. It is most common in men over the age of 50. However, younger men and women can get gout as well. There is pertinent information about gout that all sufferers of this condition need to know.
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Background
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Gout is a chronic and common form of inflammatory arthritis. This type of arthritis comes with sudden and severe pain attacks, redness and tenderness in the joints.
Symptoms
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Inflammation, redness and intense joint pain usually appear in the big toe, but it can affect the entire foot, ankles, hands, wrists and knees. The pain typically dissipates after five to 10 days.
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Causes
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Hyperuricemia, too much uric acid in the blood, is the cause of gout. Uric acid eventually forms urate crystals that accumulate around joints, causing the intense pain, swelling and redness associated with gout.
Treatment
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Resting the affected joint is recommended to accompany any medication taken for treatment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are prescribed to treat the pain and address inflammation.
Prevention
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Uric acid blockers, such as Allopurinol, and uric acid removers, such as probenecid, are preventative measures used to ward off future attacks. An anti-gout diet includes cutting back on red meat and seafood, avoiding alcohol consumption, eating low-fat dairy products, eating complex carbohydrates and maintaining a healthy weight.
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