Gout is a very common condition that occurs in over 8 million americans each year. It is a painful form of arthritis that can attack at any moment. It most commonly occurs in joints such as the big toe, knee, elbows, and ankles.
Attacks of gout can be unexpected and excruciatingly painful.
With prompt treatment, the pain and inflammation usually disappear after a few days, but they may recur at any time.
The pain that is associated is your body’s natural reaction to an overabundance of irritating crystal deposits (formed from uric and acid deposits from diabetes) in the joints that form as a result of hyperglycemia. Mild cases of gout are commonly controlled by improving diet and adding exercise to your routine. Repeated attacks of gout may require guided physician medication routines to prevent damage to bone and cartilage, as well preventing the deterioration of the kidneys.
Gout most often appears in men between the ages of 30 and 50, and women are only prone to experience gout after menopause. Men that are overweight and diabetic are at the highest risk for developing this condition. As mentioned gout is a form of arthritis.
Symptoms of Gout
The pain associated from gout comes from too much uric acid in the blood as a result of high blood sugar, and it results in the formation of sharp, pain-causing crystals in joints. A very common place for this to occur is the big toe, as it is one of the joints where uric acid build up the quickest. Pain from gout can last up to two weeks, and if left untreated, the pain could spread to multiple joints at a time.
The most typical symptoms include:
- Stiffness of the joints
- Tenderness and swelling
- Sudden, severe pain.
If gout isn’t dealt with immediately, the crystal deposits can form lumps under areas of skin that are near the joint. These annoying lumps are called tophi. While they don’t hurt, they can affect the way the joint functions and the total range of motion.
If the crystals accumulate and make their way to the urinary tract, they result in the formation of kidney stones.
Gout Treatment Options
Since gout is a type of arthritis, there are medications that can help control the pain, as well as reduce the total amount of uric acid present in your bloodstream. Nonprescription medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxin are ways to manage the pain on your own. Ice, rest, and elevating the affected joint are additional methods outside of the doctors office you can perform to manage the pain.
Your doctor will most likely prescribe one of many medications that he or she may find appropriate give your medical history and severity. Medications such as Colchicine and Indomethacin can help to reduce overall inflammation and pain, while other medications such as Probenecid and Febuxostat help to allow the kidneys to excrete uric acid from the body and reduce overall production of the harmful chemical by product.
Exercising, stretching, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting plenty of sleep are some of the preventive measures you can take to drastically reduce your chances of getting Gout.
Contact us today if you are experiencing any of the symptoms presented above, and our trusted staff and expert doctors will help you manage and beat your case of gout.
