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What is Gout? And Where Does It Come From?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is known to have a sudden onset of pain, redness, warmth and extreme tenderness in one of the body’s joints. Gout can affect anyone, male or female. It often attacks the base joint of the big toe, though it can occur in any joint in the body. It sometimes occurs in feet, ankles, hands, wrists or knees. Gout usually has an acute onset, often overnight and can occur with no warnings.
The good news is…gout is treatable! You should make an appointment as soon as possible to see your medical provider. A joint that is hot and inflamed can also be a sign of infection.
What causes gout? Gout is caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals around a joint. High levels of uric acid in your bloodstream comes from certain foods you eat too much of in your diet. The foods known to cause gout are red meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms. Sometimes the use of prescribed medications can also lead to increased uric acid levels, and can consequently lead to gout as well. If the symptoms of gout occur, it is important to see your doctor and review your medications as well as your diet intake to determine what the causative factors were that led to gout for you. Once the risk factors for gout have been shown to you, it empowers you to avoid the factors that led to your symptoms. Limit your daily intake of meat, fish and poultry to 4 to 6 ounces, avoid alcohol, drink 8 to 16 cups of fluids each day (including half water), eat low-fat or fat free dairy.
Keep in mind that excessive alcohol intake, the use of diuretics, and use of low dose aspirin have all been associated with increasing uric acid levels.
People who have reoccurring gout may be started on medications to help prevent gout attacks, such as colchicine or allopurinol. Sometimes steroids or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are also prescribed to treat the inflammation.
Untreated gout can also eventually lead to urate crystals forming in the urinary tract causing kidney stones.
Jenise Ervin RN, MSN
Director of Public Health
Park Forest Health Department