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| Gout Quick Facts |
What is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that results from too much uric (pronounced yur-ik) acid in the body. Uric acid is a waste product that naturally occurs in the body. It is normally flushed from the body by the kidneys through urine.
With gout the body either makes too much uric acid or does not excrete enough. The uric acid forms into crystals that, because these have nowhere else to go, deposit in different parts of the body.
Often the excess uric acid crystals deposit in the joints. This causes pain, swelling and tenderness in the area. This is called inflammation.
Gout most often affects the big toe but can also affect the ankle, knee, foot, hand, wrist and elbow.
How common is gout?
 Gout affects up to 500,000 (1 in 30) Canadians. Men are at least four times more likely to develop gout than women.
It occurs more frequently in countries that have a high standard of living.
Men who develop gout usually do so between the ages of 30 and 50. Women are more likely to develop gout after the age of 60.
What are the warning signs of gout?
Intense, ongoing pain in one joint, usually the big toe, that seems to have come on for no reason.
Hot, red swollen skin and a feeling of pressure around the painful area. There may also be the feeling that the skin around the area is stretching or tearing.
What causes gout?
There seem to be a number of factors that can cause people to develop gout.
Many people who develop gout also have other family members with it.
Some medications can prevent uric acid from leaving the body. This can cause a build up of uric acid crystals and cause an attack of gout.
Alcohol and certain foods can trigger a gout attack.
Events such as strokes, heart attacks or surgery may also cause gout.
What can you do about gout?
If your doctor thinks you have gout, he or she may perform tests to measure the amount of uric acid in your body. These tests may include a urine test, or your doctor may insert a needle into the painful joint to take a sample of joint fluid.
Although there is no cure for gout, there are a number of steps you can take to bring your gout under control.
Learn as much as you can about this disease. Speaking with people who are specialists in arthritis care can provide you with the information you need.
Medicine
The most common type of medicine used to treat an acute attack of gout is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs – pronounced en-seds). These drugs help reduce the pain and swelling of joints and decrease stiffness. However, they do not prevent further joint damage.
Indocid is the name of a NSAID often used to treat gout.
Those who don’t respond well to a NSAID may be given cortisone. Often the cortisone is injected into the joint. Cortisone is a steroid that reduced inflammation and swelling.
Colchicine is the name of another medicine sometimes used to treat gout.
People who have ongoing problems with gout usually need ongoing treatment. Some people will be producing too much uric acid in their bodies. Others may not be getting rid of enough uric acid. Different medicines are used to treat the different problems that cause gout.
Diet
Some foods and drinks may cause your body to produce too much uric acid. To keep levels of uric acid low reduce your amount of certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, cocoa, tea, seafood, liver, gravy, peas, and spinach.
Alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) also stops uric acid from leaving your body and can trigger gout.
Sudden changes in your diet or dramatic weight gain/loss may also cause gout attacks.
Heat/Cold
Applying heat helps relax aching muscles, and reduces joint pain and soreness. For example, take a hot shower.
Applying cold helps to lessen the pain and swelling in a joint. For example, put an ice pack on the area that is sore.
Exercise
Once a gout attack is under control, exercising can help you strengthen the joint. It can also help you to maintain a healthy weight.
Protect Your Joints
Be kind to your body. After doing heavy work, or doing the same task over and over, stop. Slow down by doing an easy task, or by taking a rest.
Use your back, arms and legs in safe ways to avoid putting stress on joints. For example, carry a heavy load close to your body.
Use helpful devices such as a cart to carry your grocery bags. A cart will help you to walk more safely. A grab bar, which attaches to a shower, will help you to get in and out of the tub more easily.
Maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting extra stress on your joints.
Relaxation
Relaxing the muscles around an inflamed joint reduces pain.
There are many ways to relax. Try deep breathing exercises. Listen to music or relaxation tapes. Meditate or pray. Another way to relax is to imagine or visualize a pleasant activity such as lying on a beach, or sitting in front of a fireplace.
Additional Tips for Living Well
The Arthritis Society offers a variety of programs and services that can be helpful.
You can reach the Society at 1-800-321-1433 from anywhere in Canada.
You can also visit their website for more information: www.arthritis.ca
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Sources: Arthritis Society of Canada |
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