There are many misconceptions about gout, particularly those about it affecting strictly privileged members of society who overindulge in rich food and drink and never exercise.
There are many misconceptions about
gout, particularly those about it affecting strictly privileged members of
society who overindulge in rich food and drink and never exercise. Undoubtedly,
diet and lifestyle play a large role in the onset of a gout attack, but it is
not only the elderly or sedentary who are affected. Heredity has as much to do
with the disease as lifestyle does; persons with a parent who suffered from
gout have a 1 in 4 chance of contracting it. Since gout is caused by an
overabundance of uric acid within the body, individuals with a family history
of kidney issues will be predisposed to show symptoms, since it is the kidney’s
job to filter uric acid out of the system. Another common misconception is that
gout and arthritis are the same disease. Although gout is a form of arthritis,
the causes, symptoms and treatments are very different. Keep reading below to
learn about how gout differs from arthritis:
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is
classified as an autoimmune disease, and while its causes have been speculated,
the answer remains inconclusive. Gout, however, is known to be caused by
build-ups of uric acid around the joints. If left untreated, it can lead to
metabolic disease.
Symptoms
Arthritis often strikes the limbs,
affecting small and large joints—the fingers, hands, and arms in particular—and
usually affects both side of the body, rather than just one. Affected joints
are painful, swollen and stiff, especially in the morning, and the sufferer will
often feel ill and fatigued. Symptoms of arthritis progress rapidly after their
first onset.
When uric acid exists in the body to
excess, it forms crystals which collect in the joints, damaging them and
causing intense pain. Gout sufferers experience red, swollen and inflamed
joints, most commonly in the joint of the big toe. Gout attacks can be so
painful that they can prevent a patient from walking, or wake them up from a
deep sleep. When gout strikes, it strikes suddenly and painfully, often with no
warning.
Treatments
People suffering from arthritis will
need to re-learn how to do all their daily tasks without putting undue stresses
on their joints in order to keep them in shape for longer. To slow the onset of
arthritis and to ease pain symptoms, pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS and
DMARDs may be prescribed.
People afflicted with gout will need to
make immediate lifestyle changes in order to reduce the levels of uric acid in
their system. Pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS and generic for Colchicine
may be prescribed.
gout, particularly those about it affecting strictly privileged members of
society who overindulge in rich food and drink and never exercise. Undoubtedly,
diet and lifestyle play a large role in the onset of a gout attack, but it is
not only the elderly or sedentary who are affected. Heredity has as much to do
with the disease as lifestyle does; persons with a parent who suffered from
gout have a 1 in 4 chance of contracting it. Since gout is caused by an
overabundance of uric acid within the body, individuals with a family history
of kidney issues will be predisposed to show symptoms, since it is the kidney’s
job to filter uric acid out of the system. Another common misconception is that
gout and arthritis are the same disease. Although gout is a form of arthritis,
the causes, symptoms and treatments are very different. Keep reading below to
learn about how gout differs from arthritis:
Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is
classified as an autoimmune disease, and while its causes have been speculated,
the answer remains inconclusive. Gout, however, is known to be caused by
build-ups of uric acid around the joints. If left untreated, it can lead to
metabolic disease.
Symptoms
Arthritis often strikes the limbs,
affecting small and large joints—the fingers, hands, and arms in particular—and
usually affects both side of the body, rather than just one. Affected joints
are painful, swollen and stiff, especially in the morning, and the sufferer will
often feel ill and fatigued. Symptoms of arthritis progress rapidly after their
first onset.
When uric acid exists in the body to
excess, it forms crystals which collect in the joints, damaging them and
causing intense pain. Gout sufferers experience red, swollen and inflamed
joints, most commonly in the joint of the big toe. Gout attacks can be so
painful that they can prevent a patient from walking, or wake them up from a
deep sleep. When gout strikes, it strikes suddenly and painfully, often with no
warning.
Treatments
People suffering from arthritis will
need to re-learn how to do all their daily tasks without putting undue stresses
on their joints in order to keep them in shape for longer. To slow the onset of
arthritis and to ease pain symptoms, pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS and
DMARDs may be prescribed.
People afflicted with gout will need to
make immediate lifestyle changes in order to reduce the levels of uric acid in
their system. Pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS and generic for Colchicine
may be prescribed.
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