Gout Attacks Deserve Immediate Medical Attention

 Gout is a condition similar to arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body, especially in the form of crystals around different joints. The formation of uric acid crystals causes inflammation or swelling in the joints, resulting in pain ranging from low-level to excruciating and unbearable.

Gout usually arises in people who eat a lot of meat, in particular, red meat, seafood, and organ meats, such as intestines, tongue, and liver. This is why balancing your diet is important in both avoiding and managing gout. A higher proportion of fresh fruits and vegetables would have helped to prevent the excessive buildup of uric acid that caused gout in the first place. Obesity and being overweight is another factor that can contribute to the occurrence of gout, and also the excessive consumption of alcohol. Finally, there are some drugs and medicines that may trigger gout attacks, such as diuretics, too much vitamin B, and cyclosporine, and other cancer treatment drugs.

Gout attacks generally happen at night and usually affect the joint of the big toe initially. The big toe and its joint begin to feel hot and eventually very painful, with any pressure on it increasing the pain. Attacks can target any other joint of the body, although in most cases, they happen to the big toe at the very start.

A quick response to the gout attack would be the application of either an ice pack or a hot pack on the affected area. Medical attention should be had as soon as possible, however, in to both relieve the current attack and to attempt to prevent future ones. Lie down and get some rest while keeping weight and pressure off the affected area.

In the worst-case scenario of neglecting gout attacks continually, you may develop a condition called tophi. Tophi consists of damage to soft tissues caused by the uric crystals, generally affecting the fingers, hands, knees, or elbows. Another complication that may arise due to untreated gout attacks would be the formation of kidney stones that may lead to kidney disease. Lastly, the bone attached to the joints attacked by gout may also develop damage due to gout attacks.

This is why contacting your doctor is the best bet for overcoming gout. Your doctor would be able to prescribe medications that would prevent future gout attacks and also relieve existing symptoms. He or she would also probably advise you to make some lifestyle changes to help manage your gout. These would include starting an exercise program to lose weight, avoiding seafood and meat, and also avoiding alcohol.

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