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Arthritis News

Men who drink two or more sugar sweetened sodas daily are at increased risk of gout.

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Arthritis News

New estimates reaffirm that nearly 1 in 5 US adults have arthritis.

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About Gout:

 Gout is a painful rheumatic disease.  It results when deposits of crystals of uric acid form in connective tissue and/or the joint spaces between two bones.   This leads to inflammatory arthritis.  Gout accounts for approximately 5 percent of all cases of arthritis. Adult men are more likely to develop gout than are women.  (A diagnosis of gout should not be confused with what is called pseudo gout which instead of uric acid deposits it is formed with calcium phosphate crystals and is treated differently).  Gout is a manageable disease.

Warning Signs:

• More than one attack of acute arthritis
• Arthritis that develops in a day, producing  swollen, red, and warm joints
• Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually a toe, ankle or knee
• Hyperuricemia ( access uric acid in the blood)
• Uric acid crystals in joint fluid

How Diagnosed:

 Gout isn’t easily diagnosed.  The symptoms maybe vague and often mimic other conditions.  To confirm a diagnosis a doctor will confirm what you report to them when you give him your past and current medical history.  Once that is done your doctor will order laboratory tests, this will probably include taking a sample of fluid drawn from the inflamed joint. Depending on the findings, the doctor will set goals with you to ease the pain associated with acute attacks and to avoid the formation of tophi (a deposit of urates in tissues – such as cartilage – characteristic of gout) and kidney stones.

Successful treatment can reduce both the discomfort caused by the symptoms of gout and long-term damage to joints.

Treatment:

 Most common for an acute attack are high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS-Indocin, Naprosy, Naproxen,) or corticosteroids (Prednisone). There are other medications available. You need to talk with your doctor as to the safest and most effective way to prevent further attacks.

 Gout attacks usually go away completely with in a week or two.  Regularly scheduled follow ups with your doctor will be needed.

Diet must be maintained and avoid foods that are high in purines.  Cut back on red meats, avoid alcoholic beverages, eat more low-fat dairy products, and eat more complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains.  Always check with your doctor about adding or deleting any medications.