When it comes to gout, many people often think of eating chicken, which is a misconception that gout is caused by eating too much chicken. In fact, chicken meat or poultry is only one of the factors that can trigger gout symptoms.
What is Gout?
Actually, “gout” is a type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in various joints, resulting in sudden episodes of sharp, burning pain, swelling, and redness in the joints. It can affect a single joint or multiple joints at the same time.
Joint Pain, Big Toe Symptoms of Gout
Severe joint pain is the most common symptom, especially in the big toe, but it can also occur in many other joints such as the ankle, elbow, knee, finger joints, or wrist. The pain is intense during the first 4-12 hours, then gradually decreases and improves within 7-10 days. Some cases may experience pain lasting several days to weeks. Other symptoms may include swelling, redness, burning sensation, and limited joint movement.
Causes of Gout
Gout results from hyperuricemia, a condition where there is an excessive accumulation of uric acid in the blood, leading to crystal deposits in the joints, causing severe joint pain, swelling, and other related symptoms.
Risk Behaviors for “Gout”
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Eating foods high in purines such as poultry, organ meats, vegetable tops, shrimp paste or shrimp sauce, sardines, mussels, and yeast extracts
- Insufficient vitamin C intake
- Excessive consumption of soft drinks
- Illnesses that cause rapid cell turnover, such as severe psoriasis or certain blood disorders
- Certain medications affecting uric acid levels, such as diuretics, some chemotherapy drugs, aspirin, and some blood pressure medications
- Chronic diseases or conditions such as obesity, hypertension, abnormal blood lipids, kidney dysfunction, and diabetes
- Enzyme deficiency, bone marrow disorders, vascular abnormalities
- Family history of gout, with about 1 in 5 gout patients having a family member affected
Gout… Treatable Without Difficulty
Treatment of gout primarily involves medication, with doctors considering the symptoms, overall health, and discussions with the patient, alongside lifestyle adjustments to avoid risk factors. The goal is to quickly relieve pain and prevent future gout attacks in other joints, as well as reduce the risk of complications such as joint deformities and kidney problems.
Complications of Gout
If untreated, gout can progress to form tophi or lumps under the skin in various parts of the body, such as fingers, toes, elbows, or Achilles tendons. These usually do not cause pain, but during flare-ups, they can lead to infections, joint pain, and deformities. There is also a risk of kidney stones from urate crystal deposits in the urinary tract, which can impair kidney function or lead to kidney failure.
How to Manage Gout
- Drink plenty of water to help the body excrete uric acid through urine and prevent crystal deposits in the urinary tract that cause kidney stones
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Avoid soft drinks or sugary beverages, especially those containing fructose
- Avoid foods high in uric acid such as organ meats, seafood, poultry, certain beans, and yeast extracts, but consider replacing them with protein from low-fat dairy products
- Those who are obese should reduce weight to a standard range but avoid fasting or rapid weight loss
