Gout and Arthritis Symptoms

Definition and Causes

• Gouty arthritis, also known as gout, is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.
• Uric acid is a waste product that normally passes through the kidneys and is eliminated in the urine.
• In people with gout, uric acid builds up in the blood and forms crystals that deposit in the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

Symptoms

• Sudden, severe pain in the affected joint, usually at night
• Swelling, redness, and warmth around the affected joint
• Limited mobility in the affected joint
• Pain that lasts for days or weeks, then resolves on its own

Risk Factors

• Age: Gout is more common in people over 40
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop gout than women
• Family history: Having a family history of gout increases the risk
• Diet: Consuming foods high in purines, such as organ meats, seafood, and beer
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing gout
• Certain medications: Diuretics, aspirin, and certain blood pressure medications can increase the risk of gout

Diagnosis

• Physical examination: Doctor may check for swelling, redness, and warmth around the affected joint
• Blood tests: To check for uric acid levels in the blood
• Joint fluid test: To examine the joint fluid for uric acid crystals
• Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans to rule out other conditions

Treatment

• Medications:
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
  • Colchicine to reduce inflammation and prevent future attacks
  • Urate-lowering medications to reduce uric acid production
• Lifestyle changes:
  • Losing weight, if overweight or obese
  • Limiting or avoiding foods high in purines
  • Staying hydrated to help flush out uric acid
  • Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption

Definition and Causes

• Gouty arthritis, or gout, is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals buildup in joints.
• Uric acid is a waste product that normally passes through kidneys and is eliminated in urine.
• In people with gout, uric acid builds up in the blood and forms crystals that deposit in joints, causing inflammation and pain.

Symptoms

• Sudden, severe pain in the affected joint, usually at night.
• Swelling, redness, and warmth around the affected joint.
• Limited mobility in the affected joint.
• Pain that lasts for days or weeks, then resolves on its own.

Risk Factors

• Gout is more common in people over 40.
• Men are more likely to develop gout than women.
• Having a family history of gout increases the risk.
• Consuming foods high in purines (e.g., organ meats, seafood, beer) increases the risk.
• Being overweight or obese increases the risk.
• Certain medications (e.g., diuretics, aspirin, certain blood pressure medications) can increase the risk.

Diagnosis

• Physical examination: checking for swelling, redness, and warmth around the affected joint.
• Blood tests: checking uric acid levels in the blood.
• Joint fluid test: examining the joint fluid for uric acid crystals.
• Imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans): ruling out other conditions.

Treatment

• Medications:
  • NSAIDs: reducing pain and inflammation.
  • Corticosteroids: reducing inflammation.
  • Colchicine: reducing inflammation and preventing future attacks.
  • Urate-lowering medications: reducing uric acid production.
• Lifestyle changes:
  • Losing weight, if overweight or obese.
  • Limiting or avoiding foods high in purines.
  • Staying hydrated to help flush out uric acid.
  • Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Causes of Gouty Arthritis

• Family history increases the risk of developing gout
• Foods high in purines, such as organ meats, seafood, and beer, can increase uric acid production
• Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing gout
• Reduced kidney function leads to decreased uric acid excretion, increasing the risk of gout
• Certain medications, including diuretics and cyclosporine, can increase uric acid levels
• Certain medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, increase the risk of developing gout

Symptoms of Gouty Arthritis

• Sudden, severe joint pain develops in the middle of the night, peaking within 6-12 hours
• Affected joints become inflamed, tender, and swollen, appearing red and warm to the touch
• The big toe, knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists are the most commonly affected joints
• Pain and swelling can make it difficult to move the affected joint, leading to limited mobility
• Some people may experience a low-grade fever during a gout attack
• Gout attacks can recur, with periods of remission in between, making it a chronic condition