Gout - Signs And Symptoms

Our joints impact a majority of our movement and allow us to perform complex tasks that no other species can do. However, what if our ability to use our joints was somehow taken away from us?

Arthritis currently affects more than three hundred million individuals worldwide, with nearly a quarter of these individuals being residents of the United States. This number is one the rise with each passing day and very few people are aware of how to prevent or treat it. There are several variations of arthritis and in this article, I will be discussing one strain in particular: Gout.

What is Gout?

Gout may be a familiar term to countless individuals because it is one of the most common types of arthritis. Four percent of our world's population is currently afflicted by the condition. Gout affects more men than women, however, the risk of getting this affliction increases with age. It has been determined that men in their late forties to fifties are more likely to acquire Gout because it is rare that a woman acquires it before reaching menopause. It is uncommon, but not impossible for a child or teenager to have Gout.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes redness, swelling, sensitivity, and severe pain in your joints. These symptoms may be sudden but in short bouts. Gout is notorious for the effect it has on the big toe of either foot because that is where the largest joint on your foot is. Aside from the big toe, other typically affected joints include the elbows, ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers.

What Causes Gout?

The underlying cause of Gout is hyperuricemia, a condition in which there is an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood. This build-up of uric acid causes the formation of crystals in your joints that lead to the inflammatory response. The build-up of uric acid could be due to a number of reasons: alcohol abuse, being overweight, having a genetic disposition, or constantly taking diuretics. These can lead to dysfunction within your kidneys and cause uric acid to build up. There are also certain health conditions that can cause this buildup such as Kidney Disease, Diabetes, or Psoriasis.

How to Prevent the Buildup of Uric Acid

Uric acid is a waste product from the natural break down of compounds called Purines. Purines are found in certain foods, and thus, some foods lead to higher uric acid concentrations than others. Purines are rich in meats, sardines, beer, and dried beans. To successfully prevent the buildup of uric acid, it is wise to limit your intake of the following foods:

• Pork
• Turkey
• Shellfish
• Fish
• Mushrooms
• Mutton
• Veal
• Cauliflower
• Dried beans

Another tip to follow is avoiding the consumption of sugary foods. A recent study has indicated that although a buildup in uric acid is for the most part, due to foods rich in Purines, there may also be a sugar component. The break down of fructose (sugar) also releases high levels of uric acid and thus, it is recommended to keep your intake of these sugary foods and drinks to a minimum:

• High-fructose Corn Syrup
• Soda
• Fruit Drinks
• Candy
• Sweets

An efficient way to counteract this would be to consume water at least every hour. Water can flush your system and remove any impurities such as uric acid. Having a healthier diet can also be beneficial. There are numerous ways to eat healthier such as finding alternatives such as replacing fruit drinks with a healthy, fiber-rich smoothie. Because alcohol contains a high level of Purines, it is best to avoid alcohol or drink moderately.

Other ways to prevent the build-up of uric acid include:

• Lose weight: Because having a high uric acid buildup is linked to obesity and being overweight, exercising and losing a few pounds may do some good. With less weight, there is less of a risk for the buildup because muscle cells do not release uric acid as much as fat cells do.
• Balance your insulin: Because Insulin is associated with high levels of uric acid, it is vital to keep track of how much insulin is in your bloodstream, especially if you are diabetic. You should get your insulin level checked with every doctor visit.
• Eat more fiber-rich foods: Fiber not only balance your blood and insulin levels but removes any excess uric acid in your body. Eating whole foods such as barley, oats, dried fruit, or nuts can raise your fiber levels.
• De-stress: We often hear that stress causes someone to become ill while undermining the statement due to its obscurity. The fact is that having a lot of stress reduces our immune system's ability to fight infections and illnesses. In this way, we will get sick easily. De-stressing not only calms one down for the day but reduces inflammation and high levels of uric acid.
• Read the fine print on your medications: Often, certain medications can cause buildups of uric acid to occur without the user being aware. Such medications include Aspirin, Diuretics, Chemotherapy Drugs, and Niacin.

Symptoms of Gout

Gout is unique in the sense that most of the symptoms occur at night and in sudden, but severe bouts. The symptoms of Gout include:

• Discomfort: After an attack, joints may still be hurting for some time, even up to a few days after. Each attack has longer periods of lingering discomfort.
• Limited movements: After gout attacks, you may not be able to move some joints as easily as before.
• Severe joint pain: The joints can be sensitive to the touch and have intense pain for the first six hours. With each attack, the level of pain increases.
• Inflammation: The afflicted joint may become very red and swollen.

Treatments for Gout

Treatments vary depending on the type of attack. For instance, pain relievers can be used to treat minor attacks whereas major ones require stronger treatments. Gout can be treated both by self and from professional help.

• Medication: Medications are given to treat Gout do either one of two things- relieve pain from an acute attack or reduce the uric acid buildup that is responsible for the condition. One type of medication that are commonly given for this purpose are NSAIDs such an Ibuprofen. Off-counter medications that are used are anti-inflammatory drugs as well as steroids.
• Preventative Measures for Reducing Uric Acid Levels: Refer to the previous section about this topic.
• Visiting a specialist: Visits to a Rheumatologist or Primary Care Provider are often recommended to patients with Gout. They are capable of prescribing off-counter and prescription medications that will assist in treating your attacks. They can also help with self-care, preventative measures.
• Natural remedies: Using an icepack may help reduce the swelling of the afflicted joint as well as numb the surrounding area. Consider exercise or therapy for relieving stress.

Having arthritis, or more specifically, Gout does not have to interfere with your daily life, or a night out. With the right preventative measures, most of the symptoms can be made bearable.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.