Gout
1. What is it ?
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — substances that are found naturally in your body.
2. Causes
- Excessive uric acid
- Hereditary
- Lifestyle factors: drinking alcohol (especially beer) or beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose), dehydration, eating certain foods that are rich in purines e.g. red meats, shellfish
- Medical conditions: such as untreated high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart and kidney diseases.
- Age and gender: Normally affects males aged 40 to 50 years
3. Signs and Symptoms
- An attack of gout can occur suddenly, often waking you up in the middle of the night
- Normally affects the big toe joint
- The affected joint becomes very red, swollen, painful and tender to touch.
4. Treatment
- Medications to treat gout pain and inflammation: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, corticosteroids
- Medications to prevent future gout attacks
- Appropriate footwear with appropriate width and cushioning, to protect joints and offload high pressure areas in the feet.