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In the second stage, uric acid crystals begin to form, usually in the big toe. Your later attacks may be more severe, last longer, and involve more than one joint. In the first stage, you have high uric acid levels in your blood, but no symptoms.
These medicines decrease the elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. Osteoarthritis is often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis or degenerative arthritis because it is caused by the cartilage in between joints being worn down. This primarily occurs in old age, and is seen earlier in individuals that are overweight and therefore carry a more intense load on their joints.
What Causes Gout?
They also will examine the affected joint and may take a fluid sample from the joint to look for uric acid crystals. Long-term medicine treatment depends on how high your uric acid levels are and how likely it is that you will have other gout attacks in the future. Talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take. Most of the time, having too much uric acid isn't harmful. Many people with high levels in their blood never get gout.
In Europe, the number of people with gout ranges from 1-5 people in 100. Gout is most common in men over 40 years of age and in women after menopause. The number of people affected by gout has been on the rise for several decades. Uric acid in the blood stream deposits in the joints and forms crystal collections. White cells are activated by these crystals, and inflammation . Crystals tend to deposit in the big toe because this is the part of the body with the lowest temperature.
What Are Risk Factors For Gout?
If the doctor decides you need a face to face appointment, they will discuss what steps to take next. Gout should be diagnosed and treated early by a doctor. Speak with a doctor if you believe you may be suffering from this condition. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
As time goes on, gout attacks may also become more frequent. High uric acid levels may cause kidney stones and, sometimes, damage the kidneys. About 15 people out of 100 with gout develop kidney stones. Beyond medications, patients can also control the frequency of flare-ups through exercise and diet adjustments. TheMayo Clinicalso suggests that patients should drink more water and less alcohol, because alcohol can raise the level of uric acid in the blood. "Obviously, if the patient has a high level of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP, that helps. However, a few patients may have concomitant RA and gout."
Social Security & Medicare
Colchicine, to prevent flare-ups during the first months that you are taking medicines that lower uric acid. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, to decrease production of uric acid by the body. Medicine treatment for gout usually involves some combination of short- and long-term medicines.
Gout Attacks And Flare
A gout attack typically causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in a single joint, most often the big toe. The doctor will need to rule out other reasons for the joint pain and inflammation such as an infection, injury or other type of arthritis. The doctor may also take an X-ray, do an ultrasound or order a magnetic resonance imaging scan to examine soft tissue and bone. The doctor might also remove fluid from the painful joint and examine it under a microscope for uric acid crystals or bacteria indicating an infection.
Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Gout
When taken by mouth, colchicine can cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. If side effects occur, stop taking the drug and notify your doctor. To prevent future episodes, you may have to continue taking a small dose of colchicine after the attack has cleared. Additionally, your doctor will look at your uric acid levels.
They also lead to improvement when injected into the joint. A joint infection must be excluded, however, as glucocorticoids worsen this condition. If you’ve already been diagnosed with gout, your doctor may periodically test your urine for uric acid. Reactive arthritisThis is a type of joint pain that is triggered by a bacterial infection somewhere else in the body. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
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