Gout
What is Gout?
Gout, once called the disease of kings, is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It’s quite common, affecting 1 in 30 Canadians (about 500,000) and up to 5.1 million Americans. It used to thought that gout was more common in the richer classes because the foods they could afford often triggered bouts of pain from gout.
Gout is more common in men over 40 years old, but women, particularly after menopause, may develop gout as well. People are more prone to gout if there is a family history, they drink excessive amounts of alcohol, certain untreated medical conditions (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol), or take certain medications (such as thiazide diuretics to treat high blood pressure).
Uric acid, a waste product in the blood and urine. It comes from chemical breaking down of certain types of foods. The uric acid build up causes stiff, swollen, and red joints. Gout often is first found in the big toe, but can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows.
- Organ meats
- Some fish and seafood, such as herring, mussels, sardines, and salmon
- Red meat
- High-fat dairy products
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of gout are quite specific, pain – often severe – and redness to the affected joint, usually the big toe. This comes and goes, with the pain lasting anywhere from a little less than a week to almost two weeks. However, if the gout is not treated, the periods of pain can get longer and more intense.
Why does it cause pain?
The uric acid will begin to build up in the joints, causing the pain. Uric acid can also cause kidney stones.
What can be done?
Medications can help reduce the swelling and pain caused by gout. Other medications help reduce or prevent the build-up of uric acid. Steroids may be given in a pill form or injected directly into the joint to help reduce inflammation.
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