What is Gout?
A type of inflammatory arthritis accompanied by sudden intense pain, redness, and swelling in a joint is called gout.
What causes Gout?
When urate crystals get accumulated in the joint, they cause gout. The human body has uric acid in the blood. Our body breaks down purines, excreted by the kidneys. These are typically found in foods like steak, seafood, organ meats, alcohol, and sweetened drinks. This acid dissolves in the bloodstream and passes through our kidneys and comes out through urine. When the levels of uric acid in the blood are high, they can build up and deposit crystals in the joint that cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. Hence the risk factors for gout are heart and kidney diseases, obesity, diet, rapid weight loss, fasting, high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It can also be caused due to certain medications, recent surgery, trauma, family history, gender, and age. For example, men are more prone to getting gout, and it is more common in the age group between 30 and 50, and after menopause in women.
What are the signs and symptoms of Gout?
Symptoms of gout include intense joint pain, mostly in the large joint of the big toe, fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. Attacks are sudden and usually at night. It creates prolonged discomfort. The first several hours are most painful and it can last for a few weeks. The skin may become shiny, warm, and red with swelling, leading to a limited range of movement.
How is Gout treated?
Gout is usually treated with medications and physiotherapy. Medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or colchicine. Physiotherapy is helpful during the recovery stages. It aims at reducing pain and improvement in the range of movement and depends on individual requirements. Ultrasound therapy, Laser therapy, Electroacupuncture, Ice, Cupping, Orthotics, Splinting can be recommended in addition to stretching and strengthening exercises.
Are you looking for physiotherapy or a Chiropractor? If Yes, then visit Simply Align Rehab Physio in Scarborough/Toronto or Woodbridge/Vaughan or you can always call or text us for your Physiotherapy or Chiropractor needs in Toronto at (416) 438-3230 or For Physiotherapy or Chiropractor need in Vaughan (Woodbridge) at (905) 638-9840.
Can Gout go away on its own?
No, gout cannot go away on its own. Attacks of gout recur and can last months or years. The pain lasts longer and becomes more intense with every attack. Eventually, other joints also begin to get affected. Such repeated flare-ups damage the joints to such an extent that they move and function differently. Hence it is imperative to consult a doctor if you are suffering from gout.
Can Gout be prevented?
Yes, gout can be prevented by managing one’s diet and weight carefully. Limiting alcohol, particularly beer, and sweetened drinks (with high levels of fructose and corn syrup) and drinking plenty of water, and eating less purine-containing food (like meat and seafood) are some measures. Maintaining a healthy weight is important because losing weight can decrease one’s uric acid levels and taking a diet with low-fat dairy products, instead of meat and seafood, are beneficial.
