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Gouty arthritis or more commonly called gout is a form of
arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness
and tenderness in joints. It is caused by deposits of needle-like crystals
of uric acid, and is a complex disorder. Luckily this disorder is treatable
and there are ways of keeping it from recurring.
Cause of Gouty Arthritis
The cause of gout is an accumulation of urate crystals that results to
inflammation of the joint. Uric acid is a waste product of the body formed
from the breakdown of purines which would normally be flushed out by the
kidneys through urine. But sometimes when the body either produces too much
or excretes too little of this acid, uric acid can build up forming sharp,
needle-like crystals (urate) in a joint or surrounding tissue that causes
pain, inflammation and swelling.
These crystal deposits can also cause another condition known as false gout
(pseudogout). But pseudogout crystals are made of calcium pyrophosphate
dehydrate rather than of uric acid. Although pseudogout can affect the big
toe, it’s more likely to attack large joints such as the knees, wrists and
ankles.
Signs and Symptoms of Gouty Arthritis
The signs and symptoms of gouty arthritis occurs suddenly, often at night,
without warning, however these symptoms are almost always acute.
Intense Joint Pain
Gouty arthritis generally affects the large joint of the big toe, but can
also occur in your feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists. The pain usually
lasts five to ten days and then stops, it subside gradually over one to two
weeks leaving the joint actually normal and pain-free.
Inflammation and Redness
The joints that are affected become swollen, tender and red.
Four Stages of Gouty Arthritis
Gouty arthritis can be categorized into four stages but does not usually
progress when proper treatment is given.
Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia
This stage doesn’t usually require treatment; in this stage the person has
high levels of blood uric acid but no other symptoms.
Acute Gout / Acute Gouty Arthritis
In this stage of gouty arthritis, hyperuricemia has caused deposits of uric
acid crystals in joint spaces, leading to gouty attacks.
Interval / Intercritical
This is the period between acute gouty arthritis attacks, a person has no
symptoms.
Chronic Tophaceous Gout
This is the advance stage of gouty arthritis, where the disease has caused
permanent damage. However, most never progress to this stage with proper
treatment.
Prevention of Gouty Arthritis
There is no exact and sure way of preventing gout. If you already have gout,
the doctor may prescribe certain drugs to reduce the risk or lessen the
severity of future attacks. Generally, the long-term key to preventing gouty arthritis is keeping uric
acid levels within a normal range.
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