Understand Gout: A Comprehensive Look at Its Causes, Treatments and Prevention
The common form of arthritis, gout can be afflicted by anyone. Gout is characterized by severe pain and swelling in joints. It can also cause redness or tenderness. This condition is not well understood despite its widespread prevalence. This article will shed some light on gout, including its causes, treatment options, opinions of experts, natural remedies, or prevention tips.
What Is Gout?
The gout condition is an inflammatory form of arthritis which occurs in those with high blood levels of uric acids. Acid can cause needle-like crystals to form in the joint, causing sudden and severe pain, swelling, heat, redness and tenderness.
Between 2007 and 2016, 8.3 millions adults in the United States were diagnosed with gout, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Men are most affected by the disease, although postmenopausal females can also be susceptible. Gout is on the increase globally due to changes in lifestyle and diet.
Gout: Common causes
Monosodium-urate crystals are found in joints due to an excessive amount of uric acids in the body. Too much uric acids in the body can be caused by several factors:
- Foods rich in purines such as shellfish and red meat.
- Alcohol abuse, particularly beer and hard liquors.
- Weight gain, as it increases production of uric acids and reduces the ability to excrete it.
- Certain medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Certain medications like diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure.
Gout Treatment - What to do?
Gout treatment aims to reduce pain and stop future attacks. Treatments include:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- The use of corticosteroids can reduce inflammation but can have serious side-effects if used long-term.
- Colchicine reduces the pain of gout, but it is only used in limited quantities due to side effects.
- Medication that blocks uric acids production or increases uric-acid removal.
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that early medication treatment can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks of gout.
Experts' Opinions about Gout
The experts agree that lifestyle changes are essential in the management of gout. Mayo Clinic recommends a low-purine diet, regular exercise and maintaining healthy weight. The American College of Rheumatology also stresses the importance of medications in decreasing the frequency of attacks of gout and preventing joint damage over time.
Natural Gout Remedies for Prevention and Treatment
While medication is essential to treat gout and prevent it, there are several natural remedies that can be used.
- Keep hydrated. Drinking fluids will help dilute the acid in your system.
- Obesity increases the risk of developing gout.
- Changes in lifestyle - Avoid foods with high purine content and limit alcohol.
- Cherries: Some studies indicate that cherries can help reduce uric acids levels.
Gout is an inflammatory condition that occurs when there's too much uric in your body. Although gout is primarily managed with medications, certain lifestyle modifications and natural remedies are also effective in treating the disease. Understanding gout will help us take better steps to prevent and treat it, improving quality of life.
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