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Gout specialist Dr Boris Ratiner offers expert information regarding Gout
The Processes in the Body Leading to Hyperuricemia and Gout Gout is a type of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) that mostly affects men age 40 and older. It is nearly always associated with chronic hyperuricemia, a long-lasting abnormally high concentration of uric acid in the blood. Metabolism of Purines The process leading to….What is Gout
Gout is classified as either primary (the most common type) or secondary, depending on the cause of the associated hyperuricemia. In both types of gout, between 70% and 95% of hyperuricemia cases are the result of under-excretion of uric acid, rather than uric acid overproduction. Primary Gout More than 99% of primary gout cases are….What causes gout
Gout is often divided into four symptomatic stages: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Acute gouty arthritis. Intercritical gout. Chronic tophaceous gout. Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia Asymptomatic hyperuricemia, in which MSU slowly builds up, always precedes gout and is considered the first stage of the disorder. It lasts for an average of 30 years. Note: Hyperuricemia does not inevitably lead to….Symptoms of Gout
The following diseases also cause joint and muscle pain: Disease Specific Subtypes Osteoarthritis Infectious Arthritis Lyme disease, septic arthritis, bacterial endocarditis, mycobacterial and fungal arthritis, viral arthritis Postinfectious or Reactive Arthritis Reiter’s syndrome (a disorder characterized by arthritis and inflammation in the eye and urinary tract), rheumatic fever, inflammatory bowel disease Pseudogout Rheumatic Autoimmune….Symptoms Similar to Gout
Gout symptoms may be precipitated by various conditions including the following: Severe illness (an important trigger). Between 20% to 86% of patients with gout experience a recurrence when they are hospitalized. Gout accompanies and can be exacerbated by serious conditions that are associated with kidney and heart disease including diabetes, obesity, unhealthy cholesterol levels, insulin….Triggers for Gout Symptoms
Gout rarely poses a long-term health threat if properly treated. It does, however, remain a source of short-term pain and incapacity for thousands of Americans. Pain and Disability Left untreated, gout can develop into a painful and disabling chronic disorder. Persistent gout can destroy cartilage and bone, causing irreversible joint deformities and loss of motion…..How Serious is Gout
Risk factors are attributes or activities associated with a greater-than-normal likelihood of developing a particular disorder. Sometimes a causal connection between the attribute or activity and the disorder can be established, but at other times there is simply a statistical correlation. The risk factors for gout, of which there are several, are identical to those….Factors for Gout
Medical History and Physical Examination Determining which joints are affected is an obvious first step in any diagnosis. A physical examination and medical history can reveal a number of significant indictors that help confirm or rule out gout. The following are some examples: Gout is more likely if arthritis first appears in the big toe….How is Gout Diagnosed
Acute attacks of gout and long-term treatment of gout and its associated hyperuricemia require different approaches. All phases are treated mainly with drugs. There are also specific treatment regimes for conditions associated with gout, including uric acid nephropathy and uric acid nephrolithiasis. Lifestyle Changes Many patients do not require medications. During the period between gout….Guidelines for Treating Gout
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) block prostaglandins, the substances that dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation and pain. They are the drugs of choice for young, healthy adults without any other serious medical condition. NSAIDs are usually taken orally at their highest safe dosage as long as gout symptoms persist and for….Specific Drugs Used for Gout