The "Unwalkable" Disease

It is 11:00 o'clock at night.

Suddenly, Larry, a 72-year-old male with arthritis, wakes up to a ridiculous pain in his big toe. Limping out of bed to turn on the lights, he couldn't believe what he saw. His toe was twice the size! Later that night he called his doctor and the doctor explained that Larry was suffering from an acute gout attack.

What are Gouts?
A gout is a severely painful disorder caused by  excess uric acid building into the joints, causing swelling, redness of the affected area, and tenderness. It is most common in men over 60, but once menopause starts, it can affect women as well. It is believed that since women have a high source of estrogen, it protects them from abnormal uric acid production rates. You will most likely see this lumpy disorder on arthritis patients, but anyone can have it.

Why do Gouts occur?
It all starts with the uric acid. Uric acid is formed when purines (a source from foods like meat, beans, and fish) are broken down during the metabolic process. In a normal situation, after the metabolic process is completed the excess uric acid is removed from the body, but a gout victim's body, the rate of uric acid increases. The excess uric acid will go into the bloodstream. When the uric acid finds the joints, it will start to crystalize. It starts to put extreme pressure on the joints making it almost unbearable. To actually know if you have a gout or not, doctors will usually perform a blood test. They would also extract fluid from the affected joint. Sometimes the pressure of the joint can be caused by a pseudogout that has excess calcium phosphate, rather than uric acid.

How bad can it become?
There are four main stages of Gouts:
The first stage is called the Asymptomatic stage. You won't usually find any obvious physical characteristics, but it will feel like your joints are under pressure. There is only slight damage when it comes to this stage and you won't need any major medications or treatments.
The second stage is called Acute gout. This is where the swelling starts. It is a sudden attack and there is intense pain. On the bright side of things, it normally will go down within 3-10 days. Anti-inflammatory medications like NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) or Zyloprim can help.
The third stage is called the Interval stage. This is the period where the gout doesn't necessarily show up or cause any harm for months or years. However, it is still there. If you don't talk to your doctor or have it treated, it can go into stage four.
Stage 4, is called the Chronic Tophaceous Gout. This is where the crystallized uric acid, turns into a sugary-like substance called tophi. This is also the stage when the kidney can start to develop kidney stones. Surgery will be needed if extreme. However, it takes years for this to happen. If you get it treated in time, you will be fine.

How do I lower the risk of not having Gouts?
If you maintain your weight and diet, that can help tremendously. Make sure to not eat too many purine-induced products (chicken, asparagus, shrimp, etc) and eat your carbs. Those who go on high protein diets or low carb diets are more at risk for gouts. Try not to consume so much fructose (that is in sodas and other sugary drinks) Regulate your alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol in the bloodstream can inhibit the uric acid from escaping the body. Try to avoid having high cholesterol, blood pressure, or stress. All of those can increase your risks. Family history and diabetes are also not a good sign, but if you maintain a healthy life you shouldn't have anything worse than stage 2.

In all, gouts are a pain in the... joints! No likes them and people with arthritis especially despise them. Remember to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and try not to consume too much alcohol or soda. I promise it will help those gouts stay out!

Sources:
Mayoclinic.org
Medicalnewstoday.com
Arthritis.org
Wedmd.com
Rheumatology.org

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