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GOUT, a kind of arthritis which occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation and usually common in men, is now seriously affecting women too especially those in their postmenopausal years.
Gout condition is associated with obesity, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. The shift in estrogen levels after menopause is also thought to be a trigger.
The pain in big toe is usually the indicator. If your kidneys not able to clear the blood of uric acid, it then crystallizes and deposited into a joint. The white blood cells attack it releasing chemicals that causes heat, redness, swelling and intense pain.
Gout attack usually last for 10 days but if you don’t treat the underlying causes, you could find yourself dealing with it on a regular basis and may lead to permanent joint damage.
If you have gout or you suspected it to be gout, do not pop an aspirin for the pain. Doing this during an attack will worsen the situation. You can, however, take an anti-inflammatory with ibuprofen or naproxen.
Some food and drink can trigger attacks. Eating red or cured meats, drinking alcohol, and being dehydrated are common triggers for gout attacks. But once you’ve had gout, you can’t make it stay away just by cutting out burgers and beer—you may need medication to control your symptoms for long-term.
If you’re having at least three attacks a year, you should be on some kind of prevention plan. Your rheumatologist can prescribe medications to normalize your uric acid levels, as well as prescription anti-inflammatories or steroids to treat acute attacks.
Source:http://journal.com.ph/index.php/lifestyle/health-a-wellness/34282-do-you-have-gout
