What Is Gout?
Gout (also referred to as podagra) is a metabolic inflammatory disease of the joints which usually occurs after a buildup of uric acid in the system. This buildup occurs because either the body produces too much uric acid or the system has trouble removing the excess. Gout (or uric acid arthropathy) is also a kind of arthritis, is very painful, and is more prevalent in males than females. If women do develop the disease, it will more often than not appear post menopause.
Symptoms of gout are tender, red, swollen and painful joints. People can also develop a fever. Gout can affect almost any joint in the body, but usually ankles, fingers, knees and elbows; however, it is usually the big toe that is most affected. Gout commonly occurs as a result of high rich food intake. Individuals with diets high in red meat, oily fish, yeast and offal (liver, kidneys or brains) increase the risk of gout. Other factors for example chemotherapy, IV contrast dyes, trauma and some medications can also raise the level of risk. Alcohol, especially beer increases gout risks.
There is not a cure for gout, but there are medications and dietary changes that can reduce the duration, severity, and frequency of occurrence. Treatment is normally most effective when obtained as soon as the symptoms appear. If no treatment is obtained, gout will disappear on its own usually within one or two weeks.
To alleviate gout symptoms at home you can try the following treatments:-
- Use ice packs to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain
- Take the weight off the affected joint as much as possible
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil or Aleve as instructed on the bottle
- Move the joint so it is elevated above chest level
Doctors commonly prescribe these types of medicines to treat gout:-
- NSAIDS – non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
- Inject corticosteroid drug directly into the joint to decrease the inflammation
- For a more extreme case of gout a doctor may use Colchicine, mainly because if it’s powerful anti-inflammatory effects
Another choice of treatments for gout are natural medicines such as Uricinex. A person will not just have gout once, after the first gout attack, more attacks will probably appear. Long term to prevent a repeat attack of gout diet changes are needed that will lower the levels of uric acid in the system.
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