Gout
is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute
inflammatory arthritis- a red, tender, hot, swollen joints. Gout causes
inflammation of your joints usually in your arms or legs. However, it can
affect any of your joints, including those found in your feet and ankles,
knees, hands, fingers, wrist and elbows.
According
to the UK Gout Society, gout affects around 1 in every 100 people. It’s more common
in men, particularly those aged 30 to 60 and in older people.
Causes:
You
can develop gout if you have much uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a
chemical that everyone has in their blood. Excess uric acid is passed through
your kidneys and out of your body in your urine. However, the level of uric
acid in your blood can rise if
1) Yours
kidneys don’t pass uric acid quickly enough.
2) Your
body produces too much uric acid.
If
level of uric acid in your body is too high, it can form tiny crystals that
collect in your tissues, particularly in and around your joints and may cause
swelling and pain. These crystals tend to form at a cooler body temperature
which is why gout is more common in your fingers and toes.
Who are at risk of Gout?
1) Are
men aged of 30-60
2) Are
women who has been through the menopause
3) Eat
a diet that contains high level of purines which are found in red meat, sea
food and some other foods.
4) Drink
too much alcohol, especially beer.
5) Do
not drink enough fluid daily & become dehydrated
6) Taken
certain medicines, such as diuretics which increase the flow of urine from your
body
7) Have
a family history of gout
8) If
your kidneys do not pass enough uric acid out in your urine
9) Are
overweight, have diabetes and high blood pressure
10) Have
psoriasis ( itchy, dry & flaky skin ) which can sometimes cause your body
to produce too much uric acid
11) Are
taking certain types of cancer medicines
Diagnosis of gout:
1) Take
a sample of blood which will be sent to the laboratory to measure the level of
uric acid
2) Remove
some fluid from your swollen joints with a needle, if uric acid crystals can be
seen in your fluid so you have gout
3) May
need to have an x-ray of your joints in order to diagnose gout
Complications:
1) The
most common complication of gout is progressive joint damage which leads to
long term pain, deformed joints & eventually disability
2) Prolonged
high level of uric acid in your body can increase your risk of vascular
diseases which may lead to heart attack or stroke
3) Damage
your kidneys if uric acid crystals collect in your kidney tissues
Prevention:
1) Gout
can be prevented from reoccurring so often & so severely by making changes
to your diet and taking medicines if needed
2) Choose
to eat and to drink that cannot increase the level of uric acid in blood
3) Drink
enough water every day that will help to dilute your blood and urine, results
in lowering the level of uric acid in blood
4) Doing
regular exercise
Self-help:
There are number of steps you can take to
reduce the pain & swelling from having gout
1) Raise
and rest your joints, do not attempt any vigorous physical activity
2) Keep
your joints cool and do not cover it. Ice the affected joints by using an ice
pack or ice wrapped in a towel for about 20 minutes , at a time to reduce
swelling and bruising. Do not apply ice directly to your skin, it can damage it
3) Drink
enough water
Treatment:
There are certain medicines that can prescribe
to help to ease your pain and swelling from gout.
1) Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) , such as ibuprofen and naproxen which may
relieve pain and inflammation but if you have heart attack, high blood
pressure, kidney or lung disease, or over 65 so these medicines may be harmful
& do not take aspirin because it can affect your uric acid level and make
your gout last longer
2) If
NSAIDs are not suitable for you, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called
colchicines which reduces pain & swelling.
3) Third
option is steroids tablets if you cannot take NSAIDs or colchicines
4) Steroid
joint injection is recommended if you have gout in a large joint ( such as knee
joint )
REMEMBER;
ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMCIST BEFORE TAKING ANY TABLET OR MEDICINE.
NAZNEEN ZULFIQAR
PHARM-D, KU
LOWESTOFT, UNITED KINGDOM
