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Gout is characterized as a sudden, severe attack of pain most often in the big toe. The sharp pain can cause intense, stabbing pain. An attack of this condition can occur suddenly and wake you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire.
Let’s Understand What Gout Is
This is arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines, which are found in many foods. Crystallization of uric acid in joints can cause painful arthritis attacks, kidney stones, and blockage of kidney filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, resulting in kidney failure. This is one of the most frequently recorded medical conditions throughout history.
Are You At Risk Of Gout Attacks
It is more common in men than in women, but anyone can get it. It is also more common in adults than in children. Women who develop this usually show signs and symptoms after menopause. Other factors may increase your risk of gout.
You are more likely to get it if you:
- Are overweight
- Are an adult male between 30 to 50 years old
- Drink alcohol
- Eat a lot of foods rich in purines
- Have had an organ transplant
- Have been exposed to lead
- Have a family history of it
Some health conditions put you at greater risk including:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Psoriasis
- Hemolytic anemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Some cancers
- Some rare genetic disorders
What Triggers Gout
Several things can cause the crystals to shake loose into your joint cavity which may trigger an attack. These include:
- An illness that gives you a fever
- A knock or injury to the joint
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Dehydration
- Having an operation
- Having an unusually large meal, especially a fatty meal
Are Your Symptoms Really Gout?
Any joint can be affected by it, but it usually affects joints towards the ends of the limbs, such as the ankles, toes, knees, and fingers.
Signs and symptoms of it include:
- Red, shiny skin
- The joint feels hot and very tender
- Severe pain in one or more joints
- Swelling in and around the affected joint
- Over the affected joint
Home Remedies For Gout
- Apply Ice To Affected Joints. Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the joint can help reduce gout-related inflammation.
- Reducing Stress. Heightened stress can worsen it’s symptoms. Getting enough rest can also help a person feel less stressed.
- Elevating the Affected Joints. One way to reduce swelling is by elevating the affected joints. This encourages blood and fluid to move away from the joint and back toward the heart.
- Limiting Alcohol Intake. Drinking more than two liquor-based drinks or two beers per day increases a person’s risk of it flaring .
- Avoiding High-Purine Meats. Some meats contain high amounts of purines. Avoiding these might help to reduce a person’s gout symptoms.
Gout Flaring up? Try These Medications
Short-Term Gout Medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare)
- Corticosteroids
Long-Term Medications
- Allopurinol (Lopurin and Zyloprim)
- Febuxostat (Uloric)
- Probenecid (Benemid and Probalan)
- Lesinurad (Zurampic)
Usually recommended medication:
- Zycolchin 0.5mg (Colchicine) – this medication is an FDA-approved gout treatment that belongs to a class of medications called anti-gout agents. It works by decreasing the symptoms of gouts. Colchicine interferes with the function of white blood cells and perpetuates the inflammatory response to monosodium urate crystals. This decreases inflammation and joint pain.
How To Lower The Chances Of It Flaring
Changes in lifestyle, such as dietary changes, can reduce uric acid levels, which deposit in joints and cause gout. Changing your diet alone is not enough to prevent gout for most people. Medications are usually needed to reduce uric acid levels enough to prevent attacks. Still making changes in what you eat can lead to fewer gouty flares.
Diet has been viewed differently by experts in recent years. Instead of trying to determine which foods you should avoid, it’s more important to follow a healthy diet and lose weight if you’re overweight. The level of uric acid can be lowered by simply losing weight. Drinking plenty of fluids is also beneficial. Limit sweetened drinks and alcohol, which can increase uric acid levels.
