Gout is a common type of arthritis that comes abruptly and severely. Anyone with a uric acid buildup in their joints can be affected. Gout causes intense pain, swelling, and stiffness in a joint. The joint in the big toe is usually affected.
Gouts can come quickly and keep returning over time, slowly harming tissues in the region of inflammation, which can be extremely painful. Since there are many forms of arthritis, getting an accurate diagnosis is very essential.
The symptoms of gout usually come on overnight without warning. These symptoms include:
· Inflammation and Redness
The affected joints become swollen, red, and tender to the touch.
· Joint Pain
Intense gout joint pain is often experienced. The first 12 hours of the onset symptoms is when the most severe pain occurs, usually affecting the large joint of the big toe. Other joints in the hands, knees, ankles, wrists, and feet can also be affected.
· Decreased Mobility
As the gout progresses, your range of motion may also be limited and affected.
· General Discomfort
After the severe pain of gout attack subsides, joint soreness and discomfort may be experienced for several days to weeks.
What Are The Causes of Gout?
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the blood, also called hyperuricemia. Uric acid is produced in the body during the breakdown of purines, a chemical compound found in high amounts of certain foods such as meat, seafood, and poultry.
Normally, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and is then excreted from the body through urine via the kidney. When too much uric acid is produced and not enough of it is excreted, it can build up and form a needle-like crystals that trigger pain and inflammation in the joints and its surrounding tissues.
5 Ways to Get Around Gout
- Cut out stress in your life.
Stress can trigger gout attack, and can intensify the symptoms of gout attack. While it is impossible to eliminate stress, there are ways to help you minimize it. Reducing your stress can help you focus on things other than the pain from the gout attack. Trying some stress management techniques can also work to reduce your stress. Some relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing can go a long way.
2. Limit your alcohol and food that are rich in purines.
When you have gout, you should avoid purine-rich foods such as shellfish and fatty meats. Limiting your alcohol intake, especially beer, as they can increase your uric acid levels. On the other hand, eating certain foods that are rich in vitamin c can prevent gout attacks.
3. Getting enough rest and sleep.
Rest and sleep are both important when you have gout. Getting about 8 hours of sleep every night can help manage stress. It can also help when you’re having gout attacks. Gout attack can be incredibly painful and may limit your movement when having an attack. Resting and getting enough sleep can help in the symptoms.
4. Exercise frequently
Exercising frequently and being physically active will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and can help in preventing gout attacks in the future. Exercising can also help you lose weight, which is also helpful when you have gout. Being obese or overweight is a risk factor for gout, but when you already have a gout, keeping a healthy weight can help prevent gout attacks. Another benefit of exercise is that it can also help you manage and lessen stress.
5. Trying certain dietary and herbal supplements.
Other herbal and dietary supplements contain certain ingredients that can help prevent gout. Some of these ingredients are turmeric, which is helpful in reducing inflammation. Another is bromelain, which are also found in pineapples stems, is thought to prevent gout.
More information and research are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these supplements for gout. So before taking these supplements, it is important to ask your doctor before taking them for they may have complications with other medications that you may be taking.
Gout is an incredibly painful condition, but these are some ways to prevent gout attacks. Trying each one of these and see what works best for you.
If you are experiencing immense gout attack pain, consult your doctor immediately. Consult online doctor is essential in order to get diagnosed and receive the right medication, treatment, and correct life changes in food, sleep, lifestyle, and your mental health. You can also receive consultations online for a more convenient and easier checkups. If you are form Guelph, Canada, there are available and open walk in clinic Guelph. Do not wait until your symptoms and pain worsen before getting professional. With the right medication, gout pains and gout attacks are treatable and can be prevented.