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Do you experience sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness in your joint area? If yes, you may be suffering from a health condition known as gout. It is an inflammatory condition which affects joints and structures around the joints. You may even experience fever and chills during gout flare, which needs effective management. We spoke to Dr Deepthi Nandan Reddy, MS (Orthopaedics), MSc (Ortho, Eng), FRCS Ed, FRCS (Tr and Ortho), Senior Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shoulder Elbow and Hand Surgery Clinical Director, Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec Branch, Hyderabad, who explained symptoms of gout and medical management strategies.
Causes and Mechanisms of Gout
“Gout occurs due to high levels of uric acid in the body. The excess uric acid is in needle-shaped crystal form. These crystals get deposited around the joints, mostly in the peripheral parts like the feet, hands and sometimes in the knee. These deposits cause inflammation”, highlighted Dr Reddy.
Symptoms and Onset
The acute inflammation causes severe pain in the joints and swelling with redness, sometimes mimicking infection affecting the joints. Patients mostly wake up one morning and are disabled due to the pain and inflammation.
Dr Reddy added, “Gout is a type of arthritis that affects men, usually over 40. It is often prevalent after consuming foods that are high in purine and protein.”
Uric acid is a byproduct of purine breakdown, and when there is an excess intake or a lack of proper excretion of this acid, it can increase the levels in the body and lead to gout.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, gout flares usually go away in 1-2 weeks, though this can be shortened with therapy. Repeat flare-ups can result from not treating gout and from not altering one’s lifestyle to prevent recurrence.
Dietary and Lifestyle Factors
The best way to prevent gout is to control the intake of food rich in purines like red meat, organic meats, certain seafood, sugary sodas, and beer.
Dr Reddy added, “Staying well-hydrated and consuming a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits can help prevent gout relapses. Consulting with a registered dietician can be beneficial in determining the appropriate foods to consume. In rare cases, some patients may have a genetic deficiency of an enzyme called Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), which can lead to gout.”
Medical Management of Gout
“The medical management of gout includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications and applying ice during an acute attack, as well as taking drugs that can lower the levels of uric acid in the body”, added Dr Reddy.
In some cases, long-term use of uric acid-lowering drugs may be necessary to prevent recurring attacks. It’s important to note that repeated attacks of gout can cause damage to the joints over time, although this is a rare occurrence.
Also Read: Gout: Warning Signs Of The Victorian Era Disease; Who Is Most At Risk
Diagnosis and Testing
“Some patients may not exhibit inflammation, particularly when gout affects their tendons. This can be identified by clinical examination, as well as some simple blood tests, such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), CRP, and uric acid level”, said Dr Reddy.
In some cases, a high-resolution ultrasound scan of the hands and feet may be necessary. It is also possible for uric acid levels to be normal, and in such cases, the best way to diagnose gout is to extract the fluid from the joint and test it under a microscope to identify the crystals immediately.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you notice any symptoms to avoid health complications.]
