Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It's distinguished by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness in one of the joints, usually affecting the big toe, but it can occur in any of the joints, like the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are substances found naturally in your body. Purines are also found in certain foods, including red and organ meats, such as liver. Purine-rich seafood includes anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna. Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) promote higher levels of uric acid.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes either your body produces too much uric acid, or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needlelike urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling.
You are more likely to develop gout if you have high levels of uric acid in your body. Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include:
- Eating a diet rich in red meat and drinking beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose), also alcohol consumption, especially of beer.
- If you're overweight, your body produces more uric acid, and your kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating it.
- Medical conditions like untreated high blood pressure and chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart and kidney diseases.
- Certain medications. Low-dose aspirin and some medications are used to control hypertension.
- Family history of gout.
- Experiencing recent surgery or trauma can sometimes trigger a gout attack. In some people, receiving a vaccination can trigger a gout flare.
Doctors usually diagnose gout based on your symptoms and the appearance of the affected joint. Tests to help diagnose gout may include a blood test for uric acid, joint fluid test, x-ray imaging, and ultrasound.
How to get fast relief from Gout attacks
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Apply ice to the affected joints
- Drink plenty of water
- Commitment to the treatments
- Lifestyle changes, like improving the diet and exercising regularly
