subject: Know the Major Gout Symptoms [print this page] Gout is mainly to high uric acid content in the body. Uric acid are formed due to break down of substances called purines in the body. There are chances of gout returning back of people even after it disappears once. If symptoms of gout appear start the treatment as early as possible.
Gout is a form of arthritis condition. It is due to accumulation of uric acid crystals at the joints regions. The joints which are affected by gout are knee, ankle, hand, wrist, and elbow. Uric acid is generally a substance formed when the body breaks down products called purines. Generally uric acid in the body gets dissolved and passes out of the body through urine.
Gout suffering people have high levels of uric acid in the body which leads to formation of uric acid crystals at regions of joints and tissues. Gout generally occurs with severe pain , redness and warmth in the joint.
The crystals due to more deposits they form tophi. Tophi looks like lumps beneath the skin.
Generally the gout may last for some time only i.e. a period of five days to 10 days. In most of the cases it returns back to a person after some period of time.
The main causes of gout are
Genetic reasons
Factors such as obesity
Due to intake of water pills which are used in treating high blood pressure and heart failure reasons.
Also gout can also be due to following reasons
Surgery
Drinking too much of alcohol
Eating wrong diet
Gout diagnosis is difficult due to its irregular behavior according to uric acid levels. To diagnose gout a needle is inserted in the joint and the lubricant fluid which is known as synovial fluid is taken and observed under a microscope, if there are crystals of uric acid in it then gout is confirmed.
Some times a blood test is also done, in the blood cells the uric acid levels are observed.
Gout treatment
Ice packs are used to get relief from pain and inflammation
Drink lot of water which helps in passing out uric acid out of the body
Taking medications as prescribed by the doctor
The person with risk of gout needs to take following prevention steps
Avoiding foods which contains high contents in purine
Avoiding alcohol as much as possible especially beer
Foods which are rich in fats and cholesterol should be stopped because the gout patients are at risk of having heart diseases and heart damage.
Losing extra weight, Which can precipitate gout attacks
