what is gout and what causes it ?
Gout is a painful inflammation in the joints caused by uric acid crystals. It usually heals within one to three weeks, but may be back again after a period of time.
A joint is the "hinge" between two bones. The smooth cartilage surface causes the bone ends to glide easily over each other. Joint fluid 'lubricates' the joint so that it moves smoothly. To the joint sitting around a joint capsule. The cartilage, bone or joint capsule may become irritated and give complaints. The joint is too thick, warm or red, then there is inflammation.
Causes of gout
Gout is caused by going there uric acid crystals are in a joint. The crystals cause inflammation in the joint. Gout and high uric acid in your blood have to do with each other. Yet, only one in 10 people with elevated uric acid levels in the blood gout.
Some people have a higher risk of gout:
*If gout in the family.
*Middle-aged men.
*People with high body weight.
*People with high blood pressure.
*People with cardiovascular disease.
Nutrition and alcohol appear to play a role in the occurrence of gout attacks. Previously it was thought that gout was caused by drinking alcohol, carbonated soft drinks and eating purine-rich foods (such as sweetbreads, kidneys, fish, game and poultry). Is little evidence in trials can be established.
What are the symptoms of gout ?
Gout causes pain in a joint, usually at the base of the big toe, sometimes in the midfoot, ankle, knee or wrist. When inflammation rises, the joint is thick, red and hot. We call this a gout attack.
People with gout may have small lumps under the skin. We call these tophi. These are deposits of uric acid crystals. The tophi are for example on the fingers, toes, knee, elbow, at the ear or at your heel.
Uric acid crystals can also form kidney stones.
Home remedies for gout
If a joint is thick, red, hot and painful, you should spare some time. Put the joint high and cool it with a wet wrap or ice. Wrap the ice in a towel so that the skin does not freeze.
Once the symptoms are less severe, it is particularly important to take exercise regularly again. This prevents stiffness and may reduce eventually the pain. Heavy or prolonged tax can be avoided the first time better.
Medicines for gout
*In an attack of gout help NSAIDs such as diclofenac, naproxen or ibuprofen. These agents may reduce the pain within one or two days. NSAIDs can cause gastric problems and affect the way some medicines. People with cardiovascular and kidney problems and people over 70 years should be extra careful with the use of NSAIDs. Are
*If giving NSAIDs too many side effects, you can use instead prednisolone. For NSAIDs and prednisolone can sometimes get a stomach protectant.
*If NSAIDs or prednisolone not help within three to five days, colchicine may reduce the pain and reduce the inflammation. You will receive a colchicine tablet until the pain is gone 2 to 3 times per day. Stop the agent if the symptoms have not yet been reduced. After 3 days Immediately stop colchicine if you get symptoms such as a burning sensation in the throat, nausea, abdominal cramps or diarrhea. These are signs that your body does not tolerate colchicine.
*If the above tablets do not help, a corticosteroid injection into the joint getting to inhibit inflammation. This usually helps within 24 hours. The effect may last for about three months. Sometimes the symptoms may worsen short-lived for 48 hours after the jab. This will pass.
What next for gout?
An attack of gout can take one to three weeks, after which the joint fully recovers. If you have more than three attacks per year, consider swallowing to reduce the amount of uric acid in your blood. A means This drug called allopurinol. If you are taking this daily, you get less or no gout attacks. The gout nodules often disappear after six months to a year. You can continue Allopurinol years or even life-swallowing to prevent gout attacks. Discuss this with your doctor.
When contact with gout?
Make an appointment at the GP practice and reduce complaints above medications insufficient. Please immediately contact the GP practice if you feel sick or if you develop a fever.