BY DR LULU C.
Welcoming our lovely readers to our weekly health diaries column where we delve into various disease-related topics simplifying complex concepts for our readers.
Have you ever experienced sudden, severe pain in your big toe, ankle or knee, sometimes accompanied by redness and swelling? One possible cause is gout, a form of arthritis associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the body and forms tiny, needle-shaped crystals inside or around joints. These crystals trigger inflammation, resulting in sudden episodes of intense pain, swelling and tenderness.
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down substances called purines, which occur naturally in the body and in certain foods.
Normally, the kidneys remove most uric acid through urine. However, gout can develop when the body produces too much uric acid or when the kidneys do not eliminate enough of it.
Factors that increase the risk include being overweight, kidney disease, family history, alcohol consumption, sugary drinks and frequent consumption of purine-rich foods such as red meat and certain seafood. Some medications, including certain diuretics, can also increase uric acid levels.
Gout can be treated with anti-inflammatory medicines depending on the patient’s medical condition.
Lifestyle changes also help. Maintaining a healthy weight, drinking adequate water, limiting alcohol and sugary drinks, and reducing excessive consumption of red meat and certain seafood can lower the risk of attacks.
Having high uric acid does not automatically mean someone has gout. A hot, swollen joint should be medically assessed because joint infections can sometimes look similar to gout and require urgent treatment.
Dr Lulu, healthdiaries@yahoo.com
