Therapeutic Approaches In The Treatment Of Gout

Content

• Treatment Of Chronic Gout
• What Is Gout?
• Rheumatoid Arthritis And Gout: Whats The Difference?

Gout is a very common form of arthritis in which high levels of uric acid in the blood forms needle-like crystals in a joint causing sudden and severe pain. The joint may also become swollen, tender, red, or warm. Uric acid is an end product of the breakdown of purines, compounds found in all body tissues and in many foods, such as liver, dried beans, asparagus, mushrooms, and anchovies. Uric acid is normally carried through the blood and eliminated in the urine. If production of uric acid increases, a person eats a large quantity of foods high in purines, or if the kidneys are unable to adequately eliminate uric acid, then concentrations in the blood can rise . When the crystals accumulate in the joints, they can cause the pain associated with gout.

These are new agents that target a key chemical released during acute gout called interleukin-1 (IL-1). These compounds are not currently approved by the FDA for gout therapy. For acute attacks in large joints, fluid aspiration alone or with corticosteroids may help. The speed of the onset of pain and swelling is also important. Symptoms that take days or weeks to develop probably point to a problem other than gout. Men of this age group who have gout are often obese, have high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and drink large amounts of alcohol.

Treatment Of Chronic Gout

Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is the result of a breakdown of purines, which is a substance found naturally in body tissues and many foods. For most people, uric acid dissolves in the blood and travels out of the body in urine.

How can I flush uric acid naturally?

In this article, learn about eight natural ways to lower uric acid levels. 1. Limit purine-rich foods.
2. Eat more low-purine foods.
3. Avoid drugs that raise uric acid levels.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight.
5. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
6. Drink coffee.
7. Try a vitamin C supplement.
8. Eat cherries.

Uric acid is removed from the blood mainly through the kidneys and through the gastrointestinal system. Properly treated gout by lowering uric acid to less than 6.0 mg/dL is in effect "curable" and rarely poses a long-term health threat, though during an attack the pain can be disabling. Dairy products, especially low-fat products, may actually protect against gout.

What Is Gout?

Cherry juice can also increase the risk of kidney stones; they shouldn’t be used in anyone who is predisposed to them. Not all creatures of the sea are high in purines, but some are. Cold water fish like tuna, salmon and trout can increase your uric acid levels, but the heart benefit from eating them in moderation may be greater than the gout attack risk.

For those interested in achieving the maximal lowering of uric acid by dietary means, two “Gout Haters Cookbooks” are listed in the “Books about Gout” section below. and all four of their cookbooks can be purchased online. A third type of crystal-induced arthritis, hydroxyapatite deposition disease, has a type of crystal that needs special studies for identification. Microscopy of joint fluid is used less often, primarily in equivocal cases.

This means that the cause of the hyperuricemia cannot be determined. Primary gout is most likely the result of a combination of genetic, hormonal, and dietary factors. Secondary gout is caused by medicines or by medical conditions other than a metabolic disorder. Gout is considered either primary or secondary, depending on the causes of the high uric acid level in the blood . But they can cause pain and stiffness in the affected joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Gout: Whats The Difference?

The affected joint becomes swollen, warm, and red within eight to 12 hours. Most of the time the attacks occur at night and last 3-10 days. Patients indicate that the pain is so bad that the joint can't stand the slightest touch. Even the weight of a bed sheet causes excruciating pain. Walking and standing are almost impossible if the legs or feet are affected.

Treatments for acute attacks of pseudogout are similar to those for gout and are aimed at relieving the pain and inflammation and reducing the frequency of attacks. Alcohol use is highly associated with gout in younger adults. Alcohol appears to play less of a role among older patients, especially among women with gout. Low doses reduce uric acid excretion and increase the chance of hyperuricemia. This may be a problem for older people who take low-dose aspirin to protect against heart disease.

If you suspect you have gout, make an appointment with your doctor to be tested and learn how to prevent or reduce future gout attacks. Infusion therapy is an ideal alternative for patients for whom swallowing medication is difficult, uncomfortable, or impossible — often due to their chronic health conditions. It’s also a good option for patients who have been unresponsive to oral medications. During the past 50 years advances in understanding the causes and pathophysiology of hyperuricemia and gout, have led to the development of effective therapies.

However, the uric acid level may be normal, especially during an acute flare-up. Many people have high levels of uric acid in the blood but do not have flare-ups of gout; therefore, a blood test alone is not sufficient for diagnosis. A blood test may be done to measure uric acid level in the blood.

Women do not typically develop gout until after menopause, between the ages of 55 and 70. Once gout progresses to the chronic stage — which takes several years — joints may have permanent damage and deformity, and pain may be persistent. When properly treated, most cases of gout will not progress to this disabling stage. Fortunately, gout attacks can be controlled and treated with medication. Plain radiograph showing chronic tophaceous gouty arthritis in hands.

As mentioned above, a sedentary lifestyle without exercise, obesity, as well as hypertension are all risk factors for developing gout. Your therapist can advise you on an appropriate cardiovascular exercise for you to partake in and can devise a program of exercise for you to follow. Some clients will find that doing a cardiovascular exercise in the pool, along with their other stretching and strengthening exercises, is easier and less painful on their joints.

How Can I Manage A Gout Attack?

Since these problems can cause kidney damage, your doctor will check for signs of these problems and treat them if they occur. But the most important fork in the road for gout sufferers is whether to start taking a drug that will lower their uric acid levels. Once people start taking these drugs, they usually must take them for the rest of their lives. Going on and off a uric acid–lowering medication can provoke gout attacks. Guidelines also recommend uric acid-lowering treatment if a person with gout also has kidney disease.