Health: What you should know about GOUT

By Maame Araba Sam

GOUT Is  a painful and common type of arthritis caused when there is too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia).

Uric acid is a waste product in the body and is normally excreted through urine.

CAUSES OF GOUT 

-Gout is caused by having higher than normal level of uric acid in your body. This may occur if your body makes too much uric acid OR
If too much uric acid builds up in the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to swell and become inflamed.

-Gout may occur after taking medicines that interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body. People who take medicines like hydrochlorothiazide may
have a higher level of uric acid in the blood.

Further more ;gout may also develop in people with diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, sickle cell anaemia and other anaemias.

-Gout is more common in men, post menopausal women and people who drink alcohol.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 

One might experience some or all of the following symptoms.
-Severe joint pain.

-Joint appears dusky red, hot, swollen

-Swollen big toe.

-Renal impairment.

-Joint deformity.
-Surrounding joint becomes edematous and inflamed.

-Headache /fever.

TREATMENT

Your health care provider will recommend the following treatment for you if you've been diagnosed with Gout.

-Dietary restrictions with avoidance of organ meat like liver, some fish, sea food and shellfish including anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, haddock etc.

-Relieve of inflammation with anti -inflammatory agents such as colchicine.

-corticosteroids such as prednisone can also be effective.

-You may also need to take daily medicines such as Allopurinol or probenecid to decrease the uric acid level in your blood.

One might ask, what are some of the risk factors that contribute to this condition:
-male
-post menopausal women
- Aging
-Hypertension.
-Alcohol intake and is highest with beer but not increased with wine.
-Obesity.
-Diet high in meat (organ meat)  and seafood.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure;lets take note of the following preventive measures:

-Decrease alcohol intake especially with beer .
-lose weight if you are overweight.
-Exercise regularly.
-limit your intake of red meat and sugar beverages.
- Choose healthy foods such as dairy products ,vegetables, nuts, legumes , fruits less in sugar and whole grains.
-Drink coffee and take vitamin c supplements.

Lastly, complications of gout include chronic gouty arthritis, kidney stones and chronic kidney failure.

Araba Sam

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