A few years ago I started developing a very painful Toe so took the usual trip to the GP.
Diagnosis was a build up of Uric Acid in the joints which cause unbearable pain
What Is Gout?
Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:
Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe
Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin
Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Gout can cause:
Pain
Swelling
Redness
Heat
Stiffness in joints.
So What Causes Gout?
At first I thought it was alcohol, drinking too much especially spirits and my wife was convinced that it was caused by this.
It may be a contributory factor but not the main catalyst.
Gout is actually caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body, which comes from the breakdown of substances called purines.
Purines are found in all of your body’s tissues and they are also in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. But uric acid can build up in the blood when:
The body increases the amount of uric acid it makes.
The kidneys do not get rid of enough uric acid.
A person eats too many foods high in purines.
You are more likely to have gout if you:
Have family members with the disease
Are a man
Are overweight
Drink too much alcohol
Eat too many foods rich in purines
Have an enzyme defect that makes it hard for the body to break down purines
Are exposed to lead in the environment
Have had an organ transplant
Use some medicines such as diuretics, aspirin, cyclosporine, or levodopa
Take the vitamin niacin.
So How can you treat Gout..
Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack of gout, including:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack. This proved very effective for me however you have to carry this medicine with you as you only use when the pain comes on .
Fortunately my doctor decided a more preventative measure and I was issued with Allupurinol which prevents uric acid build up and consequently no pain.
What Can People With Gout Do to Stay Healthy?
Take the medicines your doctor prescribes as directed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines and vitamins you take.
Plan followup visits with your doctor.
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid foods that are high in purines, and drink plenty of water.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight. Ask your doctor about how to lose weight safely.
Fast or extreme weight loss can increase uric acid levels in the blood.
Images courtesy of pIxabay
Research from niams.nih.gov/gout
