What Gout is?
• It is a condition in which the level of uric acid increases in the body.
• In gout, the crystals of urate get deposited in the joints resulting in joint inflammation.
• It is a chronic and progressive disease.
Which age group is more affected due to gout?
• Mainly males are more affected than females.
• Between 30 to 60 years of age persons are more affected.
• Women get affected after menopause.
What are the types of gout?
• Asymptomatic hyperuricemia:
In this type, the level of uric acid increases in the blood but produces no symptoms.
• Acute gouty arthritis:
-In this type, uric acid crystals get deposited in the joint spaces.
-And the acute symptoms appear.
-Joint gets swollen with throbbing pain.
-The patient will develop a fever with chill.
-The inflammation may travel into the ankle and underneath the foot.
• Intercritical gout:
In this type of gout, acute symptoms subside with no pain or discomfort and joints function normally.
• Chronic tophaceous gout:
-In this type of gout, permanent damage to affected joints as well as kidney damage occurs.
-Formation of tophi also occurs in joints.
What are the causes of gout?
• The gout is caused by when there is a disturbance in the Purine metabolism of the body.
• Uric acid is a waste product of the body, which is produced as a result of the breakdown of Purine in the body.
• Most of the time uric acid dissolves and goes into the urine via the kidneys.
• Factors that increase the uric acid level in the body are:
• Obesity.
• Excess alcohol.
• Diet rich in purine foods, such as seafood and meat.
• Diets low in calories.
• Regular use of diuretic medicines.
• Medicines are taken by transplant patients, such as cyclosporine.
• Rapid weight loss.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Hypertension.
• Psoriasis.
• Tumors.
• Myeloma.
• Hemolytic anemia.
• Lead poisoning.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Surgery.
What are the signs and symptoms of gout?
• Severe pain in the joints: Pain in ankles, hands, wrists, knees or feet. The big toe is most commonly affected.
• Itchy and peeling of the skin.
• Redness and inflammation of the affected part.
• Fever.
• Loss of flexibility of the affected joint.
• Nodules: Gout may first appear as tophi (nodules) in the elbows, hands, or ears.
What is the differential diagnosis of the group?
• Cellulitis.
• Tenosynovitis.
• Bursitis.
• Arthritis.
• Nephrolithiasis.
• Paronychia.
How to investigate gout?
• History of the patient.
• Family history of the patient.
• Joint fluid analysis.
• A blood test to check for the uric acid level in blood.
• X-rays to see joint damage.
How to treat gout?
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Colchicine.
• Corticosteroids.
What is the management of gout?
• Keep the swollen joint elevated above the chest as much as possible.
• The ice packs can be helpful in relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
• Adequate hydration should be maintained to minimize the frequency and intensity of attacks.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Have a moderate amount of protein.
• Limit your daily intake of meat, fish, and poultry.
• Slow exercises.
Diet:
• Low fat-containing dairy products.
• Fresh vegetables.
• Fresh fruits.
• Grains.
• Avoid alcohol, meat, seafood, junk food.
• Apples, banana, cucumber, and garlic.
• Adding folic acid and vitamin C in the diet.
• Drinking plenty of water.
• Avoiding drugs.
What are the complications of gout?
• Kidney stones.
• Gouty arthritis.
• Chronic kidney failure.
Can homoeopathic medicines help in the case of gout?
Yes, homoeopathic medicine helps symptomatically. Some homoeopathic medicines can help in this case. These are:
• Actaea spicata
• Arnica montana
• Colchicum autumnale
• Kalium carbonicum
• Lycopodium clavatum
