Gout and hyperuricemia are often confused, but not the same thing. Hyperuricemai have elevated level blood uric acid levels, but they have no arthritis or kidney problems. Gout, on the other hand, is a type of arthritis.
Gout is caused from a large number of crystals of uric acid. These form deposits in tissues of the body and joints. Chronic gout can also cause decreased kidney function and can contribute to kidney stones. In rare cases the filtering tubules from the kidney can be blocked with uric acid crystals and cause kidney failure.
So the key is to find out if you have gout and then treat it. The most common test for gout is joint aspiration. The health professional takes a sterile needle and syringe and drains the fluid from the joint. The medical term is arthrocentesis. The fluid is then examined to determine the problem with the joint.
The best ways to avoid gout arthritis may have to do with know the risk factors and controlling the factors that you can.
*Family history
You can not change family history, but you may react quicker and avoid certain things if you know you are more likely to experience gout.
*Excessive alcohol
The professionals say that more than two drinks daily for men and one drink daily for women is considered excessive for the standards of gout.
*Dehydration
Water is your best defense. This keeps everything moving and hopefully stops the crystals from forming or being lodged in your joints.
*Obesity
The bigger problem you have with weight control the higher risk you are for gout.
*Avoid foods high in purines
If you do have chronic gout arthritis there are treatments. You first control your risk factors with diet changes, aerobic exercise, and increased fluid intake.
The next step would be some kind of pain control. Most health professionals start with acetaminophen and use more potent pain relievers as a second option.
Anti-inflammatory agents are the next step. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) would be the next step to decrease joint inflammation. These drugs can have serious side effects so they will monitor the use and try and keep you on these medications as little as possible.
Next you would take medication to actually lower the uric-acid in the blood. These are normally taken after the painful attack has settled down and used to prevent further attacks. There are two types of medications. One lowers the uric-acid by preventing the production from the purines in your food. The other increases the excretion of uric acid into the urine so your body can get rid of it.
Gout can be very painful. It comes more often with age. Remember there are treatments. If you have inflammation, pain, and redness in your joints make an appointment.
Sources:www.niams.nih.govwww.medicinenet .comwww.mayoclinic.com