*हिंदी में पढ़ें: गाउट या वातरक्त: कारण, लक्षण, इलाज और डॉक्टर को कब दिखाना चाहिए
Gout is a severely painful type of arthritis. When your body has excess uric acid, it can lead to formation of sharp crystals in your joints (typically your big toe). Signs & symptoms flare up and quiet down periodically. These periods during which the symptoms come and go are known as gout attacks. Gout management requires substantial changes in lifestyle.
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can lead to swelling and pain in your joints. Gout develops because of excessive uric acid buildup in your body. In most cases, it affects the joint in your big toe. However, it can also affect other joints, including:
- Ankles
- Knees
- Hands & wrists
- Feet
- Elbows
A trusted specialist can prescribe the required medications and suggest modifications in your lifestyle to help bring your uric acid levels down and reduce the frequency of gout attacks in the future.
What Causes Gout?
A buildup of extra uric acid in your body can lead to gout. Your body produces uric acid while breaking down chemicals (purines) found in certain foods and beverages. Your kidneys typically take on the task of filtering out excess uric acid from your body in the form of bodily waste (urine).
However, when your body produces extra uric acid or your kidneys cannot filter out the excess promptly, you develop hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid). The buildup leads to the formation of uric acid crystals, which settle in your joints. These crystals cause sudden bouts of pain, swelling, and other related symptoms.
Note: It is important to note that temporarily high uric acid levels do not always indicate a risk of developing gout.
Gout Disease Symptoms
Some common signs & symptoms of gout include:
- Sharp pain
- Redness or discoloration of the affected joint
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Extreme tenderness
- Heat or feeling like the affected joint is “on fire”
Gout Disease Treatment
Treatment and management for gout include:
- NSAIDs: Your doctor might prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling in joints during a gout attack.
- Anti-inflammatory alkaloid medication: This medication is prescribed to bring down joint inflammation and pain within 24 hours of a gout attack. It is not a typical steroid or painkiller, rather an anti-gout agent.
- Corticosteroids: This is also a type of prescription medication that reduces inflammation. It can be in the form of pills or injections.
Additionally, your doctor might prescribe certain medications and a low-purine diet to bring down your uric acid levels and prevent future gout attacks.
When to Visit a Doctor?
If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you must seek medical intervention and get a proper diagnosis. You can book an appointment at Sohana Hospital and consult the best gout specialists in Punjab for effective disease management.
Sohana Hospital has a dedicated team of expert rheumatologists who provide the best care for rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. With the help of advanced diagnostic tools and cutting-edge treatment, Sohana Hospital stands as tricity’s only hospital with dedicated specialists for countless rheumatic diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is at risk of developing gout?
Individuals with a family history of gout or those who suffer from chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure, certain types of cancer, hypertension, and kidney disease are at a higher risk of developing gout. Additionally, people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, immunosuppressants, red meats, or diuretic medication, etc., can also develop gout.
2. Is gout disease preventable?
Yes. Gout disease can be prevented to a certain extent. The best way to do that is to limit your purine intake. You can do that by ensuring you consume a low-purine diet and enough water to help your kidneys function properly. Try to avoid red meats and excessive alcohol consumption (especially beer). Regular exercise and low-fat dairy products can help control weight to reduce extra stress on your joints. It may also help manage other conditions that put you at risk for developing gout.
3. Is gout an autoimmune disease?
No, gout is not an autoimmune disease. It is an inflammatory disorder characterised by swelling and sharp pain in joints.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout difference?
While many people often confuse these two diseases with each other owing to the similarities between their symptoms, their root causes differ significantly. Gout is a result of high uric acid levels, whereas RA is an autoimmune disease.
5. Which foods and beverages cause gout?
Consuming foods or drinks high in purine can lead to the development of gout. These include: sugary drinks, sweets, organ meat (liver, kidneys, heart, etc.), red meat (mutton or pork), alcohol (especially beer), high fructose corn syrup, etc.
6. Can gout be cured?
No, currently there is no permanent cure for gout. However, the symptoms come and go periodically – these episodes are referred to as gout attacks. Effective management through appropriate medications can help reduce the frequency of gout attacks.
At Sohana Hospital, our expert rheumatologists have years of experience in dealing with gout and other rheumatological disorders. We aim to help you live a pain-free life with minimal medication.