GOUT: an inflammatory arthritis in men

Oct 09, 2014 Ruchira Dhoke Lifestyle & Health, Men’s health 0

A man goes to bed during night to sleep. About two in the morning he is awakened by a severe pain in the great toe; or rarely in the heel, ankle, or instep. The pain is like that of a dislocation, though it feels as if cold water were poured over them . . . later, it is a violent stretching and tearing of the ligaments – a gnawing pain, with a feeling of tightening. Rest of the night is spent in torture.

This is what is experienced by a man suffering from Gout, an inflammatory type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals.

In 2640 BC, it was first identified by the Egyptians as podagra. Later in 5th century BC, Hippocrates referred to gout as “unwalkable disease” and noted links between gout & lifestyle, demographics & other variables.

Gout is more common in men over the age of 30. Incidence of gout has doubled in the past 20 years. Studies indicate that the increase in the frequency of gout may be driven by changes in diet and lifestyle.

WHAT CAUSES GOUT?

Gout is usually associated with a high level of uric acid which under normal circumstances is excreted by the kidney. There are a number of different factors that may contribute in increasing uric acid levels in our body like higher production of uric acid and /or reduced elimination of uric acid by the kidney. The people with gout may lose the ability to maintain uric acid in dissolvable form in the body so when there are high levels of uric acid in the body insoluble crystals are formed in the joints, causing inflammation. However not everyone with high levels of uric acid will develop gout. Recurring gout attacks can cause permanent joint damage.

Several factors can be associated with elevated uric acid or gout:

Genetic defects of uric acid metabolism.
Medications taken for edema (e.g. heart failure) and low dose Aspirin may block the excretion of uric acid in the kidney.
Foods rich in purines, which are the building blocks of uric acid in the cell, may raise levels of uric acid. Purine-rich foods are certain seafood and red meat. Alcohol and fructose found in soft drinks may also increase amounts of uric acid.

Increased uric acid and gout is associated with number of different disorders and it is linked to increase in risk of heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney stones, obesity and hyperlipidemia in the blood. Most people living with chronic gout can control it with medication. Early diagnosis and treatment of gout will lower the chances of permanent joint destruction.

Medical treatment of gout usually falls under the following categories:

Treatment of an acute attack: involves the administration of anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Colchicine is administered orally to suppress gout if the attack is caught in the first 24 hours.
Lowering the uric acid level

HEALTHY EATING AND GOUT RISK

Increases Risk

Red meat
Butter
Seafood
Poultry
Eggs
Sugar-sweetened soda
Beer and liquor

Decreases Risk

Daily exercise
Weight control
Low-fat dairy products
Multi-vitamins
Coffee
Cooking food in plant oils

Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment and can also prevent and manage many of the conditions associated with gout.

arthritis, GOUT, health, joints, men, men's health

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Ruchira Dhoke

A qualified medical microbiologist with an avidity to read enchant a deep passion for creating a good impacting masterpiece with my words .I am very fond of good old English literature and like listening to music and paint in my free time.