Gout is one of the most frequently referenced medical disorders in the history of mankind. Gout is most common forms of inflammatory arthritis and can cause extreme pain,joint swelling, warmth,& redness. About half of gout cases affect the big toe,(metatarso-phalangeal joint),while the remaining cases typically affect other joints in the foot as well as the knee,elbow,wrist,and fingertips.
Gout is a systemic disease that result from the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in tissues. Uric acid,or urate is a breakdown of the product purine.
Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds, which are made inside the cells of our body,or come from outside, from foods containing purine. Purine breaks down into uric acid. Increased levels of uric acid from excess purines may accumulate in tissues, and form crystals. This may cause high uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid formation may occur when the blood uric acid level rises above 7mg/dl.
Normal uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0mg/dl in female. And 3.4-7.0mg/dl in male.
Risk factors of gout
• OBESITY- Excessive food intake and a large body type increases the body’s production of uric acid. •EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL- Alcohol, especially beer contains high uric acid. •FOOD- Food with high purine content. Including red meat,beans,nuts,seeds,pulses and their products (eg; soyabean products),certain rich fish like sardines and anchory,salmon,organ meats like intestine and offal ( kway chap). • Having HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is also a risk factor for gout. •INJURY or RECENT SURGERY. •FASTING. •Taking medications that can increase blood levels of uric acid (especially diuretics).
How can oneself diminished the risk of gout
Try the following to reduce risk of an attack: •Lose weight if you’re overweight. >Go for low purine diet like; •Low fat and nondairy fat products, such as yoghurt. •Fresh fruits and vegetables. •Nuts,peanut butter,and grains. •potatoes,rice,bread. •Eggs (in moderation). •Meat like fish,chicken, and red meat are fine in moderation (around 4 to 5 ounces,three to four days in a week). •Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water. •Avoid drinking too much alcohol. •Include fruits,vegetables and other foods rich in vitamin C in the diet. •Avoid fructose ( present in fizzy drinks).
TREATMENT
>Initial treatment for acute attacks include; •Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs). •Colchicine tablets. •Steroids (injected into the joint or muscle,or as tablets). •Applying ice packs and resting the joints. >longer term treatments aim to lower urate levels and reduce the risk of further attacks. These include; •Allopurinol or Febuxostat (which reduce the amount of urate your body makes). •Uricosuric drugs (which increase the amount of urate your kidneys get rid of)
Breakthrough 