Gout
Gout is a form of Arthritis.
It is the sudden onset of pain, usually in large joints. 
Gout is a form of Arthritis.
It is the sudden onset of pain, usually in large joints.
It is the sudden onset of pain, usually in large joints.
symptoms shows ;
red, hot, swollen skin over the affected joint
Gout does not cause lasting damage to joints if you get treatment straight away. the pain is getting much worse and you have a very high temperature (you feel hot and shivery)
this means you have an infection. It causes inflammation to the affected joint and it is common in men
What happens at your appointment
Gout can be hard to diagnose as symptoms are similar to other conditions. A GP may ask about your diet and if you drink beer or spirits.You might be sent for a blood test, ultrasound or X-ray. Sometimes a thin needle is used to take a sample of fluid from the affected joint to test.
The tests will find out how much of a chemical called uric acid there is in your body Having too much can lead to crystals forming around your joints and causing pain.
Treatment to reduce pain and swelling.
Attacks of gout are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen.If the gout does not improve after 3 to 4 days, you might be given steroids as tablets or an injection.Drink plenty of water to excrete uric acid through kidneys.
DO'S:
take any NSAID you have been prescribed as soon as possible – it should start to work within 3 days rest and raise the limbkeep the joint cool – apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen ICE wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes at a time drink lots of water (unless advised not to by a GP)try to keep bed clothes off the affected joint at night.
DON'T:
Do not put pressure on the effective joint or do not hurt it.
Treatment to prevent gout coming back
get to a healthy weight, but avoid crash diets aim for a healthy, balanced diet,
with plenty of vegetables and some low-fat dairy foodshave at least 2 alcohol-free days a weekdrink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated-exercise regularly – but avoid intense exercise or putting lots of pressure on joints,stop smoking ask a GP about vitamin C supplements. Making lifestyle changes might mean you can stop or reduce further attacks.
AVOID:
do not eat a lot of red meat, kidneys, liver or seafood
do not have lots of sugary drinks and snacks
do not have lots of fatty foods do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (and do not have it all on 1 or 2 days.
do not have cauliflower, asparagus, Spinach, mushroom, green peas, beans, and lentils.
Things that can trigger a gout attack
You might get an attack if you're very stressed or have had an illness.
If you injure or bruise a joint and it's more painful than you'd expect after a minor bump, it could be an attack coming on.
Get treatment straight away if you feel an attack coming on.
Who gets gout
Gout sometimes runs in families.
It's more common in men, especially as they get older.
Other people at risk include:
women after the menopause
people who take medicines such as diuretics (water tablets) for blood pressure, or have high levels of cholesterol
people who are overweight and who drink alcohol, especially beer
Complications of gout;
It's rare to get lots of attacks, but if you do, you can develop permanent damage to the joint (chronic gout).
Chronic gout can also cause tiny white lumps (tophi) to appear under your skin, especially on your ears, fingers or elbows.
This is where urate crystals form under the skin. They can be painful.
You can get kidney stones if your uric acid levels are very high, so you'll need treatment to reduce the levels.
Gout can be hard to diagnose as symptoms are similar to other conditions. A GP may ask about your diet and if you drink beer or spirits.You might be sent for a blood test, ultrasound or X-ray. Sometimes a thin needle is used to take a sample of fluid from the affected joint to test.
The tests will find out how much of a chemical called uric acid there is in your body Having too much can lead to crystals forming around your joints and causing pain.
Treatment to reduce pain and swelling.
Attacks of gout are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen.If the gout does not improve after 3 to 4 days, you might be given steroids as tablets or an injection.Drink plenty of water to excrete uric acid through kidneys.
DO'S:
take any NSAID you have been prescribed as soon as possible – it should start to work within 3 days rest and raise the limbkeep the joint cool – apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen ICE wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes at a time drink lots of water (unless advised not to by a GP)try to keep bed clothes off the affected joint at night.
DON'T:
Do not put pressure on the effective joint or do not hurt it.
Treatment to prevent gout coming back
get to a healthy weight, but avoid crash diets aim for a healthy, balanced diet,
with plenty of vegetables and some low-fat dairy foodshave at least 2 alcohol-free days a weekdrink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated-exercise regularly – but avoid intense exercise or putting lots of pressure on joints,stop smoking ask a GP about vitamin C supplements. Making lifestyle changes might mean you can stop or reduce further attacks.
AVOID:
do not eat a lot of red meat, kidneys, liver or seafood
do not have lots of sugary drinks and snacks
do not have lots of fatty foods do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (and do not have it all on 1 or 2 days.
do not have cauliflower, asparagus, Spinach, mushroom, green peas, beans, and lentils.
Things that can trigger a gout attack
You might get an attack if you're very stressed or have had an illness.
If you injure or bruise a joint and it's more painful than you'd expect after a minor bump, it could be an attack coming on.
Get treatment straight away if you feel an attack coming on.
Who gets gout
Gout sometimes runs in families.
It's more common in men, especially as they get older.
Other people at risk include:
women after the menopause
people who take medicines such as diuretics (water tablets) for blood pressure, or have high levels of cholesterol
people who are overweight and who drink alcohol, especially beer
Complications of gout;
It's rare to get lots of attacks, but if you do, you can develop permanent damage to the joint (chronic gout).
Chronic gout can also cause tiny white lumps (tophi) to appear under your skin, especially on your ears, fingers or elbows.
This is where urate crystals form under the skin. They can be painful.
You can get kidney stones if your uric acid levels are very high, so you'll need treatment to reduce the levels.
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