Gout, or gouty arthritis, I defined as an attack of a metabolic disease which deposits uric acid in the joints. This can be a very painful disease, and can be classified as acute or chronic. Gout typically attacks the joints of the legs and feet, causing mobility problems. Gout is similar to severe arthritis.
The onset of gout, whether acute or chronic, may begin with stiffness in the joints, followed by joint pain. The joint may swell and become warm to the touch and red in appearance. The patient may develop a fever and a skin lump that is white an chalky in appearance and may even drain a chalky material. Joint pain often begins suddenly and typically affects the great toe, knee, and ankle joints. It is rare that only one joint is affected.
Gout is caused by the metabolism over-producing uric acid. Sometimes the metabolism produces the same amount of uric acid but the kidneys are not able to eliminate enough uric acid from the system. Diseases such as diabetes, obesity, sickle cell anemia, or kidney disease may develop gout as a side effect of their condition. Some drug therapies may also interfere with the body’s ability to excrete uric acid.
People with metabolic disorders, obesity, kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and some cancers are at risk for gout. Men, postmenopausal women, and people who drink alcohol are at a significantly higher risk for gout. Despite these risk factors, gout can occur to anyone who has a build up of uric acid in their system.
When a patient presents with complaints of sudden onset joint pain, redness and swelling of the joints, and a chalky white skin sore, tests are done to determine whether or not the cause is gout. A physical examination may or may not reveal uric acid crystals, and thus a test called a synovial fluid analysis is performed to determine the presence of uric acid crystals. Blood tests can reveal elevated levels of uric acid. Joint x-rays may be taken but can come back as normal if gout is present. A blood differential and a urine test can often quickly and most inexpensively rule out or determine of the patient is presenting with gout.
Complications associated with gout include side effects from the medications to relieve gout pain, the development on chronic gouty arthritis, kidney stones, and eventual kidney dysfunction. Provided those with acute gout attacks receive proper treatment, most patients with gout tend to live a normal life. Acute gout may at any time turn into chronic gouty arthritis despite treatment, but it does not necessarily do so.
When treating gout, there are two goals. The first goal is to address the pain and inflammation of the current attack and the second goal is to attempt to prevent future attacks. The pain associated with an acute attack can be treated with medications such as NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or codeine or other analgesics. Changes in diet may be recommended, as eliminating purines from the diet can help reduce gout attacks. Organ meat, beer, wine, and some common types of fish contain high levels of purines that can contribute to a gout attack. A daily use of a prescribed colchicine or allopurinol can help reduce the risk of future attacks by reducing uric acid levels present in the blood stream.
Gout can be a very painful disease when it attacks. Changes in diet and the use of daily medications can prevent future attacks. While most people with gout are able to control future attacks and live a normal life, the patient should contact the physician immediately if symptoms worsen or refuse to improve even with treatment. Some patients are fortunate and despite one attack, proper care prevents any future attacks. Those living with chronic gouty arthritis need to retain an activity level, and attempt to prevent the worsening of symptoms by just sitting around. The disorder is not preventable, only care after a gout attack can help prevent another gout attack. Some patients, despite changes in their diet, daily medications, and other influential factors of providing a high level of self care may still experience gout attacks on a regular basis.
While gout has no cure, maintaining physician visits and following physician instructions can lead to fewer attacks for most patients. Even if a gout attack has not occurred in years, it is still important to list gout as a medical condition whenever filling out paperwork for a new physician, as treatment options and therapies are continually advancing throughout the years.
Gout videos
Gout: Most Important Points To Remember
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Chickenpox, Papular Urticaria, Gout...Oral Thrush
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Histopathology Interphalangeal joint of toe --Gout
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Gout, Mini-Gastric Bypass
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Muscular system
Skeletal System
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Cystone, an herbal formula which is composed of ginger, shilapuspha, pasanabheda, Indian madder, umbrella s edge, prickly chaff flower, sedge, purple fleabeane, lime silicate calx and mineral pitch, aids in keeping the urinary tract healthy more...
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Kenalog, which is generically prescribed as triamcinolone topical, is commonly used to treat inflammation of the skin. Kenalog is most commonly used to treat inflammation caused by allergic reactions, psoriasis, eczema, and in the dental form is used to t more...
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Colchicine is commonly used to treat the symptoms of gout attacks. It is not entirely clear how this medication works inside the body, but it has been proven to relieve the symptoms of gout by reducing pain and swelling. It has been shown to prevent more...
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Nasacort is also known as Nasacort AQ and TriNasal and generically known as triamcinolone nasal. This medicine is a steroid that will prevent the inflammation in the nasal cavity that occurs from seasonal and other allergic reactions. This medication bec more...
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Nasacort AQ, which is generically prescribed as triamcinolone nasal, and is commonly used to treat the nasal symptoms of allergies. Nasacort is considered a steroid. This medication prevents the chemicals in the body that create inflammation from being pr more...
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Zyloprim, which is generically prescribed as allopurinol, is commonly used to treat kidney stones and gout. It prevents the build up of uric acid in the body which can lead to kidney stones and worsens gout. It is also used to prevent uric acid build up i more...
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Arcoxia is generically prescribed as etoricoxib and is commonly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis pain. Arcoxia is a member of the family of drugs known as COX 2 inhibitors which selectively inhibits the pain receptors in the brain. Ar more...
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Anaprox is a brand name for naproxen sodium, a medication used to relieve pain and inflammation in various conditions. These can include head aches, muscle aches, back aches, tendonitis, tooth ache, menstrual cramps, arthritis, bursitis, gout, fever, and more...
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Voltarol is a brand name for the generic medication diclofenac sodium. It is a non-steroidal anti-imflammatory drug (NSAID), a drug used to relieve pain and inflammation. Voltarol is effective in treating the pain or inflammation caused by many differen more...
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Emulgel is a pain relieving gel form of the drug diclofenac diethylammonium. It contains a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (or NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Emulgel works by blocking a substance in your body called prostagl more...
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