My girlfriend was just diagnosed with Gout, can anyone explain what that is to m!
Question: Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:
* Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe
* Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin
* Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Gout can cause:
* Pain
* Swelling
* Redness
* Heat
* Stiffness in joints.
In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the:
* Insteps
* Ankles
* Heels
* Knees
* Wrists
* Fingers
* Elbows.
A gout attack can be brought on by stressful events, alcohol or drugs, or another illness. Early attacks usually get better within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment. The next attack may not occur for months or even years.
What Causes Gout?
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
How Is Gout Treated?
What Can People With Gout Do to Stay Healthy?
What Research Is Being Done on Gout?
What Causes Gout?
Gout is caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in all of your body's tissues. They are also in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. But uric acid can build up in the blood when:
* The body increases the amount of uric acid it makes.
* The kidneys do not get rid of enough uric acid.
* A person eats too many foods high in purines.
When uric acid levels in the blood are high, it is called hyperuricemia. Most people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout. But if excess uric acid crystals form in the body, gout can develop.
You are more likely to have gout if you:
* Have family members with the disease
* Are a man
* Are overweight
* Drink too much alcohol
* Eat too many foods rich in purines
* Have an enzyme defect that makes it hard for the body to break down purines
* Are exposed to lead in the environment
* Have had an organ transplant
* Use some medicines such as diuretics, aspirin, cyclosporine, or levodopa
* Take the vitamin niacin.
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history of gout. Signs and symptoms of gout include:
* Hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid in the blood)
* Uric acid crystals in joint fluid
* More than one attack of acute arthritis
* Arthritis that develops in 1 day, producing a swollen, red, and warm joint
* Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee.
To confirm a diagnosis of gout, your doctor may draw a sample of fluid from an inflamed joint to look for crystals associated with gout.
How Is Gout Treated?
Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack of gout, including:
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
* Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
* Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.
Sometimes doctors prescribe NSAIDs or colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks. There are also medicines that lower the level of uric acid in the blood.
Answers: Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:
* Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe
* Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin
* Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.
For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.
Gout can cause:
* Pain
* Swelling
* Redness
* Heat
* Stiffness in joints.
In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the:
* Insteps
* Ankles
* Heels
* Knees
* Wrists
* Fingers
* Elbows.
A gout attack can be brought on by stressful events, alcohol or drugs, or another illness. Early attacks usually get better within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment. The next attack may not occur for months or even years.
What Causes Gout?
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
How Is Gout Treated?
What Can People With Gout Do to Stay Healthy?
What Research Is Being Done on Gout?
What Causes Gout?
Gout is caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in all of your body's tissues. They are also in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. But uric acid can build up in the blood when:
* The body increases the amount of uric acid it makes.
* The kidneys do not get rid of enough uric acid.
* A person eats too many foods high in purines.
When uric acid levels in the blood are high, it is called hyperuricemia. Most people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout. But if excess uric acid crystals form in the body, gout can develop.
You are more likely to have gout if you:
* Have family members with the disease
* Are a man
* Are overweight
* Drink too much alcohol
* Eat too many foods rich in purines
* Have an enzyme defect that makes it hard for the body to break down purines
* Are exposed to lead in the environment
* Have had an organ transplant
* Use some medicines such as diuretics, aspirin, cyclosporine, or levodopa
* Take the vitamin niacin.
How Is Gout Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family history of gout. Signs and symptoms of gout include:
* Hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid in the blood)
* Uric acid crystals in joint fluid
* More than one attack of acute arthritis
* Arthritis that develops in 1 day, producing a swollen, red, and warm joint
* Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, ankle, or knee.
To confirm a diagnosis of gout, your doctor may draw a sample of fluid from an inflamed joint to look for crystals associated with gout.
How Is Gout Treated?
Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack of gout, including:
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
* Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
* Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.
Sometimes doctors prescribe NSAIDs or colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks. There are also medicines that lower the level of uric acid in the blood.
what is that...I don't know...sorry, google it.
Just to add to above, it is often caused by drinking too much alcohol; too much red meat; fatty & fried foods. It can usually be controlled by diet & weight control.
It most likely occurs in the big toe & is usually treated with Motrin, Aleve or Advil which reduces inflammation, swelling & redness.
You can also Google: mayo clinic: Diseases & Conditions>> Gout
Hope she feels better.