Home | Alternative Health
Gout is one of medicine's oldest documented conditions and was, until recently, one of the least understood. Commonly, however, gout was identified with wealthy people who over indulged in fatty foods. This misinformation has lead to a negative stigma being associated with the illness. Gout is actually an extremely painful condition which is caused by inflammation of the joints. Wrists and ankles, as well as hands and feet, are often afflicted. Many people also experience a swollen big toe on at least one foot. Who Gets Gout? Gout is caused when the body produces far too much uric acid. The typical swelling and pain that the disease is known for is a result of this build up of uric acid, causing crystals to form in the synovial joint. The general public, health care professionals and patients now understand that gout has nothing to do with gluttony. Thankfully the stigma is fading as people recognize just how painful this disease can be, and as people learn about the treatments, symptoms, and causes of gout. What Are the Symptoms of Gout? You may recognize gout by the suddenness with which the symptoms appear. You may feel fine before you go to sleep at night, but wake up with pain. Generally the joints are affected. They may be swollen, to the point of being shiny and reddish. And, of course, there will likely be substantial pain. The painful area may also feel hot, similar to an infection. If you notice that you have lumps developing around your heels, ears, or elbows, you may also have gout. These lumpy areas are also the result of uric acid build up. Victims of gout also sometimes report painful kidney stones. The lucky may have a gout attack only once in their lives. Most, however, will continue to have attacks of gout over their lifetimes. It is important to seek treatment for gout, because, if left untreated, gout can cause permanent damage in the joints. Be sure to go to a doctor as each new attack of gout comes on. It can be difficult to diagnose gout as the symptoms are very similar to those of other types of arthritis. Before your doctor determines how to treat your condition, he or she will have to make a positive diagnosis. To determine if there are uric acid crystals in your irritated joints, the doctor may take a sample of your joint fluids. In addition, you may be required to have a blood test to measure uric acid levels in your blood. Also, you will likely have a complete physical examination. Treatment Over half a million people in the United States suffer from gout. Fortunately, there are many different treatment options available to bring relief to these patients. Treatment of gout has a very strong success rate. The first step is usually for the doctor to prescribe medication, like allopurinol, to control the amount of uric acid produced by the body. Your doctor may also prescribe colchicines to help relieve the pain and inflammation caused by gout. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, are commonly given, however Aspirin is not a recommended treatment. Proper diet and exercise are also important factors in treating gout. As with any medical condition, it's important to speak with your doctor if you think you have gout. He or she will give you a proper physical assessment to verify your diagnosis, and then suggest a treatment program for you.
Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db
Author Ernestine Clagge enjoys writing for several of today's best web magazines, on health education and health plan matters. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
