Gouty arthritis, commonly called gout, occurs as a result of metabolic disorders, namely purine or uric acid metabolism. That is, the balance between the synthesis of uric acid and its excretion from the body is disturbed. As a result, uric acid salts accumulate in the blood, which are deposited in the form of microcrystals in articular tissues, vessel walls, and kidneys. Men suffer from gout more often than women due to a higher concentration of sodium salt in the blood.
Symptoms of Gout
Gouty arthritis begins without any symptoms. The initial stage is characterized by an increase in the concentration of uric acid in the blood. The first attack may appear several years after the onset of impaired urinary metabolism.
At the next stage of the disease, sudden short night pains in the joints appear , most often on the big toes, sometimes in the elbow, ankle, knee or thumb joint, which last up to 5 days, and then suddenly stop. Severe pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, and an increase in skin temperature in the affected joint. At first, acute periods are repeated once every few months and do not last long. Gradually, the interval between seizures decreases, and their duration increases.
Thus, gouty arthritis becomes chronic, in which the articular cartilage begins to collapse, cavities filled with salt microcrystals form in the bones around the joint. Sometimes salt accumulations are observed under the skin in the form of nodules of a white color. Nodules or tofuses appear in the area of the joints or on the ears.
Often, gouty arthritis is accompanied by the accumulation of uric acid salts in the kidneys, which leads to urolithiasis.
In women, gout occurs in a milder form and is characterized by pain and swelling in the knee and ankle joints.
Causes of the disease
Gout was known even under Hippocrates, but science has not yet been able to fully determine the causes of its occurrence. It is known that the disease is inherited, affects men and women of postmenopausal age. Gouty arthritis, a diet in which it is very important, is often exacerbated by the abuse of alcohol, chocolate, meat, smoked meats, strong coffee. From food, only a third of the excess uric acid enters the bloodstream. An increase in its concentration is also associated with impaired renal function or improper purine metabolism. A risk factor is overweight and high cholesterol.
Gout Treatment
Gouty arthritis, the treatment of which is aimed at keeping the disease under control, is currently completely incurable. When the first signs of the disease appear, you should immediately sign up to the doctor, since timely treatment can help reduce the frequency of seizures. The fight against gout is impossible without a special diet, which will have to be followed for life. You should drink more water, include vegetables, fruits, dairy products in the menu and limit the consumption of fish and meat. It is necessary to abandon alcohol, fatty, salty, smoked. Gout sufferers are advised to monitor weight.
During exacerbation of gouty arthritis, you need to adhere to bed rest and limit the contact of the joint with the underwear. Doctors usually recommend applying ice or putting a hot compress, and also prescribe medications that reduce swelling and pain. Thanks to the treatment, the attack goes away after a few days, and without treatment it can last several weeks.
For prevention, doctors prescribe medications that remove uric acid from the body and prevent salt crystals from depositing in joints.