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Sore joints

24 Jun 2013

As many as one in 100 people will experience gout at some point in their lives. This number rises to five in 100 for men over the age of 65. Know your gout facts.

What is gout?

Gout is a common form of arthritis that affects joints quite severely. Men suffer more commonly from gout than women and attacks can come on quite quickly, even appearing overnight with the most common affected joint being the big toe.

Effectively, small crystals made up of uric acid appear in and around the joint, causing inflammation and pain. Uric acid is usually expelled from the body through the urine, however in people with gout, this does not happen quick enough, causing a build-up. Gout may also be caused by the overproduction of uric acid.

The most common groups of people affected by gout are men aged between 40 and 50 years and people taking diuretics, particularly older people.

Those who consume too much alcohol, particularly beer, are also at risk, as are those who injure a joint.

The symptoms

The symptoms of gout can be quite severe and very painful as the condition generally affects the joints that we use the most – those in the arms and legs, particularly the hands and feet.

If you notice excessive swelling, or pain in any particular part of the body, it’s best to see a doctor. This is especially true if you haven’t recently injured yourself. A feeling of warmth around the joint is also an indication as is red or shiny skin around the joint. It may also be possible to see the crystals under your skin. They may appear as firm, white lumps.

When you see your GP, chances are he or she will request a urine sample, as this is the most common way to detect gout. The level of uric acid in your body can also be detected through a blood test, so this may be another angle your doctor chooses to use.

How to manage gout

If managed incorrectly, a gout attack can last between one and two weeks. Without medication or treatment, the time between attacks may also be a lot shorter than if you’d seen a doctor for a management plan. The pain and swelling may also be more severe and joints may become permanently damaged.

However, don’t despair, there are a number of ways to manage gout if you seek the right help.

Medication

There is medication that you can take to assist with symptoms and pain. There is also preventative medication that you can take if you suffer from repeat attacks. However, these will not work for everyone, so it’s always best to seek medical advice. This is also dependent on how frequently you suffer, how severe the attack is and whether it’s a result of an injury.

Self help

When an attack of gout occurs, there are things that you can do it alleviate the pain and swelling.

Firstly, avoid vigorous physical activity. It’s important to raise and rest, especially if the joint affected is one that you use everyday to walk. Another way that you can help is to keep the joint cool. Apply ice for about 20 minutes to reduce swelling – just remember not to have direct contact between ice and your skin, always make sure it’s covered with a towel or wrapping. If the swelling is still obvious after 20 minutes of ice, let your joint recover and return to its normal temperature before putting ice on again.

Lifestyle

A slight tweak in your lifestyle may help with preventing gout. Maintaining a healthy body weight will benefit, just make sure you’re not taking part in any crash diets as this can increase uric acid levels.

Cutting down on alcohol can also help as can discussing a management plan with a dietitian who can help you limit the purines that are thought to cause gout.

Gout can make for a debilitating couple of weeks if you avoid talking to your doctor or seeking treatment so it’s always best to ask for medical advice.