What is gouty arthritis or gout?
What is gout or gouty arthritis?
Gouty arthritis, or gout as it is commonly known, is a rheumatic inflammatory disease, which is characterized by accumulation of uric acid, especially in the joints.
Hyperuricemia, the main risk factor for gout, occurs when the concentration of serum urate in the blood (a uric acid derivative) is equal to or greater than 6.8 mg / dl. The disease has a higher incidence in males, especially in the age group between 50 and 60 years, and in Western countries.
Causes and risk factors of gouty arthritis
Genetics and nutrition
Gout can be caused by genetic factors, but also dietary factors such as the ingestion of alcohol or foods rich in purines, such as shellfish, meat and offal.
Drugs
Gout can also be caused by drugs, such as thiazide diuretics that interfere with the renal excretion of uric acid
Obesity, diabetes and other diseases
The association of two or more diseases in the same patient (comorbidities) can cause gout, such as, metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and psoriasis.
Not all patients with high uric acid develop gout, but the obese, high blood pressure, diabetics, and kidney patients are more likely to have the disease.
The disease begins to manifest itself through arthritis. Feeling intense, with swelling and redness, usually in a single joint (monoarthritis).
The feet, in particular the big toe (hallux), the tarsus (inner back of the foot), the ankles and the knees are the most affected areas.
The maintenance of high uric acid levels and the occurrence of repeated bouts of gout can lead to progressive bone destruction of the joint as well as formation of uric acid deposits in the skin (gouty tophi).
Gouty arthritis may arise after several years of asymptomatic hyperuricemia. In some cases it only manifests itself once or twice in life; in others frequently.
Diagnosis
Elevated levels of serum uric acid and acute and monoarticular arthritis lead doctors to assume that the patient suffers from gout. However, the definitive diagnosis is only confirmed by the presence of monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid (liquid present in the joint cavities and near the tendons).
Gouty Arthritis or Gout
Gout: Treatment
It should, first and foremost, focus on pain and inflammation. After the symptoms subside, treatment is started to normalize uric acid levels and to prevent further seizures.
What to do to improve the quality of life of patients
Eat a balanced diet and do not consume red meats, shellfish, preserves, sugary drinks and alcohol (beer, especially);
Avoid taking medicines with an impact on uric acid metabolism, such as low-dose aspirin or drugs to treat high blood pressure;
Get regular exercise.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar