Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. Gout — a complex form of arthritis — can affect anyone. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. when uric acid levels in your blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints.
CAUSES
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood.
RISK FACTORS
Diet – Eating a diet that’s high in meat and seafood and high in beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) promotes higher levels of uric acid, which increases your risk of gout. Alcohol consumption, especially of beer, also increases the risk of gout.
Obesity – If you are overweight, your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating uric acid, which greatly increases your risk of gout.
Medical conditions – These include untreated high blood pressure and chronic conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart and kidney diseases.
Certain medications – The use of thiazide diuretics — commonly used to treat hypertension — and low-dose aspirin also can increase uric acid levels. So can the use of anti-rejection drugs prescribed for people who have undergone an organ transplant.
Family history of gout – If other members of your family have had gout, you’re more likely to develop the disease.
Age and Sex – Men also are more likely to develop gout earlier — usually between the ages of 30 and 50 — whereas women generally develop signs and symptoms after menopause.
Recent surgery or trauma – Experiencing recent surgery or trauma has been associated with an increased risk of developing gout.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of gout almost always occur suddenly — often at night — and without warning.
They include:
Intense joint pain – Gout usually affects the large joint of your big toe, but it can occur in your feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists. The pain is likely to be most severe within the first four to 12 hours after it begins.
Lingering discomfort – After the most severe pain subsides, some joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks. Later attacks are likely to last longer and affect more joints.
Inflammation and redness – The affected joint or joints become swollen, tender, warm and red.
Limited range of motion – Decreased joint mobility may occur as gout progresses.
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT
Homoeopathy helps in controlling the pain during the acute attack of gout as well as helps in preventing the recurrence of such episodes . homeopathic treatment also helps in reducing stiffness and improves the mobility of the joints.