GOUT

INTRODUCTION• It is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by

recurrent attacks of a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint. Pain typically comes on rapidly in less than twelve hours.

• Mainly it affects big toe in many people• It occurs due to elevated levels of uric acid in blood

• Gout occurs more commonly in those people who eat a lot of meat, and drink a lot of beer, or are overweight.

•  Diagnosis of gout may be confirmed by seeing the crystals in joint fluid or tophus. Blood uric acid levels may be normal during an attack

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GOUT

• 1. All humans are at risk for gout, but gout is rarely seen in men before adolescence.

• 2. All humans are at risk for gout, but gout is rarely seen in women before menopause.

• 3. Estrogen protects women form developing gout prior to menopause when estrogen levels decline.

• 4. Elevated uric acid levels do not necessarily mean that a person has gout.

• 5. Uric acid levels can be normal during a gout attack.

• 6. Many drugs can cause a gout attack including thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide), low dose aspirin, and some antibiotics.

•  Alcohol use increases the risk for gout.• 8. The most accurate way to diagnose gout is by looking

for crystals in the joint fluid.

• 9. Foods that have a high Purine (a basic building block of DNA) content should be avoided, including: shellfish, turkey, salmon, trout, beans, peas, asparagus and spinach.

• 10. Besides causing arthritis (gouty arthritis), gout can damage the kidneys if left unchecked.

SIGNS&SYMPTOMS• Fatigue• Fever• Arthritis• Urate nephropathy•  metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe

CAUSES• Lifestyle • Genetics• Medical conditions• Medications

DIAGNOSIS• Synovial fluid• Blood test• Culture test• Septic arthritis• ESR(erythrocyte sedementation rate)

TREATMENT• NSAIDS(non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs)• Colchicine• Steroids• Prophylaxis treatment with allopurinol,probenecid.

PREVENTION• Life style changes• Reduce intake of purine rich food• Avoid alcohol consumption• Taking less fructose products• Losing weighthttps://www.medesunglobal.com

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