What is Gout?

Gout is a subset of Arthritis that is caused by the needle-like crystals of uric acid in your joints, muscle, and/or skin. The crystals form because your body is either overproducing or under excreting uric acid, which can then group together to form structures that can cause large amounts of pain. Gout typically manifests in 'episodes', which can last from several days to a week. However, there may be as many as several years in between outbreaks in affected persons.

Why Should You Care?

A little less than 1 out of 100 people in the U.S. have or will have gout at some point.

Causes

Overproduction of uric acid
Certain medications
Under excretion of uric acid

Risk Factors

Obesity
Age
Thryoid malfunctions
Exposure to lead
Certain muscle medications
- diuretics
- cyclosporine
- aspirin
- levodopa
- vegetables with purine are fine
- calf tongue
- purine - rich diet
- dairy products appear to be good
- organ meats increase risk
- liver meat
Family history
Being male
Drinking large amounts of beer
Organ transplants

Symptoms

There are several stages of gout, which are marked by different symptoms:

Asymptomatic tissue deposition
- Typically no overt symptoms of arthritis, but hyperuricemia is present
  - Grout crystals may have formed, but aren't causing flares
Acute Flairs
- Can last for days to weeks
Present with:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Usually in joint of big toe
  - Can be many joints in elderly
Intercritical Segments:
- After acute flairs, grout can be inactive
  - Without treatment, there will be another flare
- Interval between flairs will decrease over time
- Hyperuricemia continues
Chronic Grout:
- Forms of chronic arthritis
  - sore / aching joints
- Tophi may form in cooler parts of body
  - Elbows
  - Finger Joints
  - Knees
  - Outer Ear
  - Toes

Treatments

Hyperuricemia Medication
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Splints
Education
Weight Loss
Surgery
Joint-Assistive Aids

Resources

The Center for Disease Control has more detailed information and facts on gout.

Sources

Choi, Hyon K. "The New England Journal of Medicine. Purine-Rich Foods, Dairy and Protein Intake, and the Risk of Gout in Men - NEJM. New England Journal of Medicine, 11 Mar. 2004. Web. 21 May 2013.
Center for Disease Control

_{* CIS does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content is for information purposes only.}