H E A LT H
GET TO GRIPS WITH GOUT A form of arthritis, gout causes pain and discomfort in the joints
G
out is an excruciatingly
The following are
painful arthritic joint
characteristic of gout:
inflammation of sudden
• Recurrent: It has a recurrent
onset. It is caused by the formation and deposition of urate
nature and will return again and again.
to the duration of the flare.
• Intense pain: The acute attack
An acute gout attack will
usually begins between 2am
generally reach its peak 12-24
compounds that are not
and 4am. This is due to the
hours after onset, and then will
necessarily harmful. In fact, they
lower body temperature during
slowly begin to resolve even
are part of all human tissue and
the night.
without treatment. Full recovery
crystals in the affected joint. Purines are organic
found in many foods. Purines produce uric acid and uric acid
• Inflammation has the following
from a gout attack (without
components:
treatment) takes approximately
produces urate crystals. Uric
The affected joint is:
acid has two chemical forms
• Red in colour
(tautomers) in which it exists.
• Swollen
assist with the treatment of gout
The one is stable and the other
• Hot
• Cold compress: The application
unstable. The unstable form
• Very sensitive to any touch
7-14 days. The following are used to
of cold compress several times
can form urate crystals that are
• Fatigue and fever
during the day may decrease the
nearly insoluble in water and
• Tophi: Long-standing increased
inflammation and reduce pain. • Rest: To ease the pain during a
deposit themselves in the joints
uric acid levels may result in
to cause gout.
hard, painless deposits of uric
gout attack, rest and elevate the
acid crystals. These deposits are
joint that hurts.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS A common form of arthritis, gout
known as Tophi. Some people have gout attacks
is characterised by recurrent
every few months, while others are
attacks of extreme pain, swelling
luckier and only suffer an attack
and redness. Unlike most other
every few years. Unfortunately,
types of arthritis which develop
as time passes, attacks tend to
slowly, an attack of gout occurs
become more frequent and affect
suddenly, quite literally overnight.
more joints.
Gout can present in different joints, but the first
TREATMENT
metatarsophalangeal joint (big
Pain management is a crucial
toe) is most often affected. Called
part of living with gout. The aim
podagra, it accounts for 50% of all
of gout treatment is to settle the
gout attacks. Other joints, such as
symptoms of the acute attack
the heels, knee, wrist and fingers
quickly and safely. This treatment
may also be affected.
is usually short term and limited
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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019
PREVENTION
Patients suffering from gout will benefit in the long term from healthy changes to their lifestyle, taking steps to decrease their uric acid level and keeping it low: • Maintain a healthy body weight • Exercise regularly (both muscle-strengthening and cardio) • Cut down on alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking • Keep hydrated – drink plenty of water • Follow a diet that limits purine-rich foods • Manage high blood pressure • Increase intake of vitamin C-rich foods • Add low-fat dairy products to your diet • Avoid fructose (a type of sugar found in soft drinks, sweets, cookies, etc) • Use aspirin sparingly.
