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Gout
Overview:
Without warning and, for some reason, in the middle of the night, it strikes! An intense pain, most often in the big toe, that is unexpected and excruciatingly painful.
Signs and Symptoms:
* Sudden, intense pain in a joint - often the big toe
* Swelling, redness, and a feeling of heat in the joint
* Extremely tender to the touch
* Strikes unexpectedly
* May recur without notice at intervals of weeks, months or years
* Most commonly affects men over 40 and postmenopausal women, especially those who are overweight or have high blood pressure or diabetes
Causes and Organs Affected:
Gout is a form of arthritis, brought on by excessively high levels of a compound called uric acid.
Uric acid is a by-product of protein digestion, and the excess is filtered through the kidneys and eliminated in urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or fails to excrete it adequately, crystals of sodium urate may form in the joints and tendons. They may also form in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones.
Risk Factor:
You're more likely to develop gout if you have high levels of uric acid in your body. Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include: Lifestyle factors, Medical conditions, Certain medications, Family history of gout, Age and Sex.
Treatment:
Maintain your body weight within its healthy weight range. Obesity is associated with increased uric acid production.
Other Information:
Take care of your body during a gout attack. While you're waiting for your medications to take effect, you may find it easier to cope with pain and inflammation if you: Reduce the amount of animal protein you eat, Avoid alcohol and Drink plenty of liquids.