Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis, typically caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood.

What causes gout?

Gout is a disorder characterized by hyperuricaemia, deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals in joints and peri-articular tissues and recurrent attacks of acute synovitis.

What are the Symptoms?

• Sudden onset of severe joint pain which lasts for a week or two before resolving completely is typical of acute gout.
• The base of the big toe is the most commonly affected joint.
• Affected joints usually swell and the nearby skin may look red and inflamed.
• Late changes include cartilage degeneration, renal dysfunction and uric acid renal stones.

How to Prevent?

• Avoid red meat ,green leafy vegetables and pulses.
• Excess water intake have enough vitamin C in your diet.
• Not use sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
• Avoid medicines for example, such as diuretics, aspirin, and some chemotherapy medicines.
• Avoid alcohol
• Weight loss

How to Diagnose?

Blood test for uric acid.

Treatment?

• Nutritional therapy
• NSAIDS for pain.
• Colchicine
• Uricosuric drugs.
• Urate-lowering drugs should never be started beforethe acute attack has completely subsided.
• A tense joint effusion may require aspiration and intra-articular injection of corticosteroids
• Surgery may be needed to remove trophi.