GOUT

 

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

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