Gout - what is this disease and how does it manifest itself?

Disruption of uric acid metabolism and the deposition of its salts in the joints can lead to the development of a condition such as gout. What is this disease? This is a common form of arthritis, characterized by joint damage and developing due to metabolic disorders.

Gout disease: signs

The disease manifests with acute pain, swelling and redness of the joints. A gout attack can last from a few days to several weeks. As a rule, it begins at night, the joint becomes very sensitive and hot to the touch. Often there is an increased body temperature. In general, the disease develops on the joints of the toes, but also the fingers, hands, knee, ankle joints can be affected.

Forms of the disease

Primary gout

What is this disease? This is a condition in which violations are not associated with any disease, and the ailment develops on its own.

Secondary gout

This condition can provoke other diseases: heart disease, psoriasis, hemoglobinopathy, myeloleukemia 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 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 is accumulated and deposited in the form of crystals. This also provokes joint disease.

Gout can develop for other reasons, such as:

• Drinking alcohol;
• physical activity;
• injury;
• infectious diseases;
• bleeding;
• Taking medications;
• radiation therapy.

How to ease an attack of gout?

1. Provide complete peace. During an exacerbation patient the joint should be in the raised position. This will ease the pain.
2. Observe the drinking regimen. A minimum of 5-6 glasses of water is needed per day. A sufficient amount of fluid in the body contributes to the removal of uric acid.
3. Avoid drugs that include aspirin, since this substance slows the excretion of acid.
4. Eliminate high-protein foods rich in purines from the diet, because such foods increase the uric acid content in the body.
5. The excessive content of such a substance leads to damage to the joints, kidneys, vessels. Therefore, it must necessarily be removed from the body with the help of special medications 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 healthy lifestyle. The disease often develops in people who are overweight. A healthy diet with limited consumption of products containing purines is an integral part of disease prevention.

If you are concerned about gout, what kind of illness, and what treatment is necessary, an experienced specialist will tell you. Following all the recommendations of the doctor, you will very soon notice that the disease recedes.