Impaired metabolism of uric acid and the deposition of its s alts in the joints can lead to the development of a condition such as gout. What is this disease? This is a common type of arthritis that affects the joints and develops due to a metabolic disorder.
Gout disease: signs
The disease manifests itself with acute pain, swelling and redness of the joints. An attack of gout can last from several days to several weeks. As a rule, it begins at night, the joint becomes very sensitive and hot to the touch. Raised body temperature is often observed. Basically, the disease develops on the joints of the toes, but fingers, hands, knee, ankle joints can also be affected.
Disease forms
Primary gout
What is this disease? This is a condition in which the disorders are not associated with any disease, but the disease develops on its own.
Secondary gout
This condition can be provoked by other diseases: heart disease, psoriasis, hemoglobinopathy, myeloid leukemia and other diseases of the blood and internal organs.
Gout - what is this disease and what are its causes?
The appearance of the disease is caused by a delay in the body of uric acid, which is formed as a result of the processing of products containing purines. Under normal conditions, uric acid should be excreted in the urine. But in a person suffering from gout, this substance accumulates and is deposited in the form of crystals. This provokes joint disease.
Gout can also develop for other reasons, such as:
- drinking alcohol;
- physical activity;
- injury;
- infectious diseases;
- bleeding;
- taking medications;
- radiotherapy.
How to relieve a gout attack?
- Provide complete rest. During an exacerbation, the diseased joint should be in an elevated position. This will ease the pain.
- Keep drinking regimen. Drink at least 5-6 glasses of water per day. A sufficient amount of fluid in the body contributes to the removal of uric acid.
- Avoid drugs that include aspirin, as this substance slows down the excretion of acid.
- Remove high-protein, purine-rich foods from your diet as they increase uric acid levels in the body.
- Excessive content of such a substance leads to damage to the joints, kidneys, blood vessels. Therefore, it must be removed from the body with the help of special drugs prescribed by a rheumatologist.
Prevention
If there is a hereditary predisposition to this disease, then it is necessary to regularly monitor the amount of uric acid in the blood. In addition, it is recommended to lead a he althy lifestyle. The disease often develops in overweight people. A he althy diet with limited intake of foods containing purines is an essential part of disease prevention.
If you are concerned about gout, what kind of disease it is, as well as what treatment is needed, an experienced specialist will tell you. Following all the doctor's recommendations, you will soon notice that the disease recedes.
