Gout: Everything You Need to Know - healthfet.com

Gout

A buildup of uric acid causes gout, which is a broad name for many disorders. Your feet are generally affected by this buildup.

If you have gout, you'll notice swelling and pain in your foot's joints, especially your big toe. Gout episodes, which cause sudden and extreme pain, can make your foot feel like it's on fire.

Gout in foot

The largest joint in your big toe is frequently affected by gout. It can, however, affect the foot, ankle, knees, hands, and wrists. Although you may have warning symptoms of an oncoming attack, intense pain, redness, and swelling can occur without warning. If you notice tingling, burning, or itching in a joint, this is your body's way of telling you that a flare-up is on the way.

Symptoms of gout

Some people have an excess of uric acid in their blood yet show no signs or symptoms. Asymptomatic gout is the term for this type of gout.

The development of uric acid crystals in your joint causes acute gout, which causes symptoms to appear immediately and linger for 3 to 10 days.

You'll have severe pain and swelling, as well as a warm sensation in your joint. You won't have any symptoms in between gout bouts.

Gout can develop chronic if it is not treated. Tophi, or hard lumps, can form in your joints, as well as the skin and soft tissue surrounding them. These deposits can harm your joints in the long run.

To avoid gout becoming chronic, it is critical to get treatment as soon as possible. Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms will help you get to the doctor before gout becomes a serious problem.

What is the main cause of gout? 

Causes of gout

Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in your blood caused by the breakdown of purines.

Blood and metabolic issues, as well as dehydration, cause your body to create too much uric acid.

It may be more difficult for your body to remove excess uric acid if you have a kidney or thyroid problem, or if you have an inherited illness.

If you do any of the following, you're more likely to develop gout:

• if you're a middle-aged man or a woman who's gone through menopause
• have gout in your family (parents, siblings, or other relatives)
• consume alcoholic beverages
• diuretics and cyclosporine are some of the drugs you can take.
• Have a condition such as hypertension, kidney disease, thyroid illness, diabetes, or sleep apnea?

Diet is the cause of gout in certain people. Find out which foods are particularly strong in purines that cause gout.

Gout diagnosis

A study of your medical history, a physical exam, and your symptoms can all help your doctor identify gout. Your doctor will most likely make a diagnosis based on:

• the way you described your joint pain
• how often you've had severe pain in 
• your joint and how red or swollen it is

A test to look for uric acid buildup in your joint may also be ordered by your doctor. A sample of joint fluid can be tested to see if it contains uric acid. Your doctor might also order an X-ray of your joint.

Start by seeing your health care physician if you're experiencing gout symptoms. If your gout is severe, you may need to consult a joint disease expert.

Treatment for gout

Gout, if left untreated, can progress to arthritis. This painful illness can permanently damage and swell your joint.

Your doctor's treatment approach will be determined by the stage and severity of your gout.

Gout medications act in one of two ways: they either ease pain and reduce inflammation, or they lower uric acid levels and prevent future gout attacks.

Gout pain can be relieved using the following medications:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve)
• colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare)
• corticosteroids

The following medications can help reduce gout attacks:

• xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric)
• probenecid (Probalan)

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications in addition to drugs to help manage your symptoms and lower your chance of future gout attacks. For instance, the doctor might advise you to:

• reduce your alcohol intake
• lose weight
• quit smoking

Gout can be managed in a variety of ways, including medications and lifestyle changes. Several complementary and alternative therapies have also shown promise.

Gout foods to avoid

Purines are naturally high in some foods, which your body converts to uric acid. The majority of individuals are unconcerned with high-purine foods. However, if your body has problems expelling excess uric acid, you should avoid the following meals and beverages:

• red meats
• organ meats
• certain seafood
• alcohol

Even if they don't include purines, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods containing the sugar fructose can be troublesome.

Uric acid levels in the body can be reduced by eating certain foods. If you have gout, you should learn which foods are good to eat.

Gout home remedies

Some gout relief options aren't available in a pharmacy bottle. These natural therapies may help lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks, according to research:

• tart cherries
• magnesium
• ginger
• apple cider vinegar
• celery
• nettle tea
• dandelion
• milk thistle seeds

However, eating these foods alone may not be enough to control gout. Learn how much to take to get the most relief from your symptoms.

Gout surgery

Gout is usually treatable without surgery. However, over time, this disorder can cause joint degeneration, tendons tears, and infections in the skin surrounding the joints.

Tophi, or hard deposits, can form on your joints and in other areas, such as your ear. These lumps can be painful and large, and they can harm your joints permanently.

Tophi are treated with three surgical procedures:

• tophi removal surgery
• joint fusion surgery
• joint replacement surgery

The extent of the damage, the location of the tophi, and your personal preferences all influence which of these surgeries your doctor suggests. Learn how surgery can aid in the stabilization of gout-weakened joints.

Gout triggers

Gout symptoms can be triggered by certain foods, drugs, and medical conditions. You may need to avoid or limit foods and beverages high in purines, such as the following:

• red meat, such as pork and veal
• organ meats
• fish, such as cod, scallops, mussels, and salmon
• alcohol
• sodas
• fruit juice

Some medications you take to treat other problems raise your blood uric acid levels. If you use any of the following medications, talk to your doctor:

• diuretics, or water pills
• aspirin
• blood pressure-lowering medications, such as beta-blockers and angiotensin II receptor blockers

Flare-ups could also be caused by your health. Gout has been connected to all of these conditions:

• obesity
• diabetes or prediabetes
• dehydration
• joint injury
• infections
• congestive heart failure
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease

It can be difficult to determine which of these things is causing your gout bouts. Keeping a diary is one approach to keep track of your nutrition, medications, and overall health to figure out what's causing your symptoms.

Gout prevention

Here are a few things you can do to avoid gout:

• Reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.
• Limit your intake of purine-rich foods such shellfish, lamb, beef, pork, and organ meat.
• Consume a low-fat, nondairy, vegetable-rich diet.
• Reduce your weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Exercise.
• Keep yourself hydrated.

Ask your doctor how you can reduce your chance of gout attacks if you have medical conditions or take drugs that increase your risk of gout.

Gout with tophus

When uric acid crystals accumulate in joints for an extended period, they form hard deposits under the skin known as tophi. These tophi can damage bone and cartilage, leaving the joints permanently deformed if not treated.

Tophi are swelling lumps around the joints that resemble tree trunk knots. They can affect joints such as the fingers, foot, and knees, as well as the ears. The tophi themselves aren't uncomfortable, but the inflammation they induce can be.

Outside of the joints, tophi can occur in connective tissue. Discover some of the more unexpected locations where these growths can be found.

Is gout painful?

Yes, gout is a painful condition. People frequently describe pain in the big toe as one of the initial symptoms. More usual arthritic symptoms, such as swelling and warmth in the joints, accompany the pain.

The degree of gout pain varies. At first, the pain in the big toe might be excruciating. It may diminish to a dull aching after the intense onset.

The discomfort, as well as swelling and other symptoms, are caused by the body's immune system launching a defense against uric acid crystals in the joints. The release of molecules known as cytokines, which increase severe inflammation, is triggered by this attack.

Gout essential oils

Aromatherapy uses essential oils, which are plant-based compounds. Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antimicrobial properties are thought to exist in certain oils.

The following are some of the essential oils that are used to treat gout:

• lemongrass oil
• celery seed oil
• yarrow oil extract
• olive leaf extract
• Chinese cinnamon

You can inhale the oils, but the diluted oil on your skin, or create a tea with the plant's dried leaves. Simply avoid putting the oils into your mouth. They're not good to eat.

It's always a good idea to see your doctor before trying any alternative therapy, even if it's something as simple as essential oils. If you do decide to use these oils, make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid an allergic reaction.

Is gout hereditary?

Gout is caused in part by heredity. SLC2A9 and ABCG2 are two of the thousands of genes linked to gout risk discovered by researchers. The quantity of uric acid the body retains and releases is affected by genes linked to gout.

Gout runs in families due to hereditary causes. People who have a gouty parent, sibling, or other close relative are more prone to develop the disease.

Genes are most likely just a catalyst for gout. Environmental factors, such as food, play a role in the disease's onset.

Gout and alcohol

Purines are abundant in alcohol, as well as red meat and shellfish. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down purines.

Gout is more likely if you have a lot of uric acid in your system. Alcohol can also slow down the removal of uric acid from your body.

Gout does not affect everyone who drinks. However, excessive alcohol consumption (more than 12 drinks per week) can raise the risk, particularly in men. Beer is more likely to influence the risk than liquor.

People have said that drinking alcohol causes their gout flare-ups in polls. Learn if adjusting your drinking habits will help you avoid gout.

Symptoms of Gout

Outline

Gout is an arthritic condition caused by elevated amounts of uric acid in the blood. Gout attacks can be unpleasant and unexpected. You may feel a burning sensation, and the affected joint may stiffen and swell.

Continue reading to discover more about gout symptoms, risk factors, and complications, as well as how to deal with symptoms if you have a gout episode.

Symptoms of gout

Gout symptoms come in a variety of forms. Some folks have no symptoms. This means they have no symptoms while having high uric acid levels in their blood. These people don't need to be treated. Others, on the other hand, have acute or chronic symptoms that necessitate therapy.

Acute symptoms appear out of nowhere and last for a brief length of time. Repeated gout attacks over a long period cause chronic symptoms.

Acute gout symptoms

A gout episode is characterized by pain, redness, and edema. These might happen at any time of day or night, waking you up. It might be uncomfortable to even touch your joint lightly. Moving or bending can be challenging. These symptoms usually only affect one joint at a time, the big toe being the most prevalent. Other joints, however, are frequently impacted.

Symptoms appear out of nowhere and are most acute for 12 to 24 hours, but they can linger up to 10 days.

Chronic gout symptoms

Between episodes, the pain and inflammation associated with gout attacks usually go away completely. Repeated occurrences of acute gout, on the other hand, can result in permanent damage.

Gout can cause joint discomfort, inflammation, redness, and edema, as well as limiting joint movement. The skin around your damaged joint may itch and flake as your gout recovers.

Gout can damage a variety of joints in your body. The initial signs of gout usually appear in the joints of your big toe. The attack can strike without warning, leaving your toe swollen and heated to the touch. In addition to your big toe, gout affects the following joints:

• ankles
• knees
• fingers
• elbow
• wrist
• heels
• insteps

Risk factors for gout

Gout is caused by consuming foods and beverages that are high in purines. These are some of them:

• alcoholic beverages
• bacon
• turkey
• liver
• fish
• dried beans
• peas

Purines are chemical molecules found in food that are also found in your body, where they are broken down into uric acid. Uric acid dissolves in the circulation and is excreted through the urine. However, uric acid can build up in the blood, resulting in a gout attack.

Gout can strike anyone, but certain conditions make it more likely. The following are some of the risk factors:

• a family history of gout
• obesity
• untreated hypertension
• diabetes mellitus
• metabolic syndrome
• coronary artery diseases
• chronic renal disease
• high alcohol consumption
• a high-purine diet
• certain antirejection medications if you have had an organ transplant
• use of certain medications, such as diuretics and aspirin
• recent trauma or surgery

If you're a man, your chances of acquiring gout are also increased. Gout can be exacerbated by exposure to lead. Taking large amounts of niacin can make your gout flare-up.

A blood test and a sample of fluid from an afflicted joint can both be used to diagnose gout.

Complications of gout

Gout symptoms, both acute and chronic, can be managed. Gout pain is more severe than other types of arthritic pain, so if you have sudden, acute pain in a joint that doesn't go away or worsens, contact a doctor.

Gout, if left untreated, can lead to joint degradation. Other major problems include:

Underneath your skin, there are nodules

Untreated gout can lead to urate crystal deposits under the skin (tophi). During gout attacks, these might feel like hard nodules and become painful and inflamed. Tophi can create deformities and severe pain in joints, impair movement, and finally ruin your joints completely. A white chalky substance may seep from the tophi when it partially erodes through your skin.

Damage to the kidneys

Urate crystals might form in your kidneys as well. This can lead to kidney stones, which can impair your kidneys' capacity to filter waste out of your body.

Bursitis

Gout can irritate the fluid sac (bursa) that cushions your joints, especially in your elbow and knee. Bursitis is characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling. Inflammation of the bursa raises the chance of infection, which can result in joint damage that lasts a lifetime. A fever and worsening redness or warmth around joints are both signs of infection.

Taking care of gout symptoms

Gout medication is available to assist you to control your symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Tivorbex), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen are among them (Aleve, Naprosyn). Bleeding, stomach ulcers and stomach pain are all possible side effects of these drugs. If these medications do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe another medication to terminate the attack and prevent it from happening again.

Colchicine (Colcrys) can help with gout pain, but it can also cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting in some people.

Prednisone and other corticosteroids relieve inflammation and discomfort. These prescription drugs can be administered orally or injected directly into the joint. Mood swings, high blood pressure, and water retention are all possible side effects.

Allopurinol (Zyloprim) and probenecid, for example, are drugs that limit the creation of uric acid and others that help your body remove it.

Summary

It is possible to avoid future gout attacks and remain symptom-free by making lifestyle adjustments. Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Limiting your intake of alcoholic beverages and beverages containing high-fructose corn syrup can help you avoid an attack. Increase your water intake while reducing your intake of meat, poultry, and other high-purine foods to avoid a gout attack. Losing weight also aids in maintaining a healthy uric acid level.

Gout Treatment and Prevention

What is gout?

Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. This surplus could be the result of the body creating too much or excreting too little. The term "gout" is used to describe a wide range of gout symptoms, from acute to chronic.

Gouty symptoms include swelling, discomfort, and redness in the foot, especially in the joint behind the big toe. Acute gout is characterized by random bouts that can affect almost every major extremity joint, with the hands and feet being the most commonly afflicted.

Tophi, or hard swellings, can grow on the joints as a result of persistent gout. These tophi, which are formed of uric acid, can grow to be quite enormous, even breaking through the skin.

Gout sufferers typically receive one or more of the therapies listed below to help them control their illness.

Is gout curable?

Gout is an arthritic condition that causes severe discomfort. Sharp crystals can form in the big toe or other joints when your body has too much uric acid, causing gout attacks, which are episodes of swelling and discomfort. Gout can be treated with drugs as well as dietary and lifestyle changes.

What causes gout in feet?

Gout is caused by an overabundance of uric acid in the body, which is known as hyperuricemia. When your body breaks down purines, which are found in both your body and the foods you eat, uric acid is produced. Uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) can form in joints, fluids, and tissues when there is too much uric acid in the body. Gout is not always caused by hyperuricemia, and hyperuricemia without gout symptoms does not require treatment.

What is the fastest way to get rid of gout?

Gout traditional treatments

Gout treatments aim to minimize the pain and inflammation of individual attacks as well as the frequency of bouts. Dietary changes and the use of certain drugs are examples of traditional therapy.

Gout Diet 

One of the most essential ways to lessen the number of acute gout attacks you have is to change your diet. The purpose of these adjustments is to reduce uric acid levels in the blood.

Gout symptoms can be reduced by making the following diet changes:

• Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, particularly beer.
• Water or other nonalcoholic beverages should be consumed in large quantities.
• Increase your intake of low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
• Organ meats (kidneys, liver, and sweetbreads), as well as greasy fish, should be avoided (sardines, anchovies, and herring).
• Limit meat consumption and replace it with plant-based proteins such as beans and legumes.
• Instead of sugary sweets and processed carbs like white bread, eat complex carbohydrates like whole-grain bread, fruits, and vegetables.

Medications

Here's a quick review of the several medication classes used to treat gout:

• NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and colchicine are all used to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with an acute gout attack.
• Allopurinol and other xanthine oxidase inhibitors lower the quantity of uric acid produced by the body.
• The ability of the kidneys to eliminate uric acid from the blood is improved by probenecid.

Gout drugs

The main goal of medication treatment during an acute gout attack is to minimize pain and inflammation. NSAIDs, colchicine, and corticosteroids are the three types of medicines used for this. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors and probenecid are two more types of drugs that are taken daily to help prevent future gout attacks.

NSAIDs

Pain and inflammation are both reduced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Many NSAIDs are available over the counter in low doses and by prescription in greater quantities. They can induce nausea, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers, among other gastrointestinal adverse effects. They can harm the kidneys or the liver in rare situations.

The following NSAIDs are widely used to treat gout:

• aspirin (Bufferin)
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• ibuprofen (Advil)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• ketoprofen
• naproxen (Aleve)

Colchicine

Colchicine (Colcrys) is a gout treatment medication. It keeps uric acid from creating urate crystals in the body. It can effectively prevent pain and swelling if taken shortly after the development of acute gout symptoms. It's also sometimes administered daily to prevent assaults in the future.

Colchicine, on the other hand, has several negative effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. People who are unable to use NSAIDs are frequently recommended this medication.

Corticosteroids

Inflammation is effectively reduced by corticosteroids. They can be given orally or injected intravenously directly into the afflicted joint. When used for an extended period, they have substantial negative effects, including:

• diabetes
• osteoporosis
• blood pressure that is too high
• cataracts
• higher infection risk
• Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue) is common in the hip and shoulder joints.

As a result, they're typically reserved for those who can't take NSAIDs or colchicine. Gout is treated with corticosteroids such as:

Xanthine oxidase inhibitors

The amount of uric acid produced by the body is reduced by xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

However, when you first start using these medications, you may experience an intense gout attack. They can also exacerbate an acute attack if consumed during the episode. As a result, upon commencing a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, individuals with gout are frequently recommended a short course of colchicine.

Rash and nausea are two of the medications' side effects.

Gout is treated with two types of xanthine oxidase inhibitors:

• allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim)
• febuxostat (Uloric)

Probenecid

Probenecid (Probalan) is a medication that aids in the removal of uric acid from the bloodstream. Rashes, stomach trouble, and kidney stones are all possible side effects.

Gout alternative treatments

Alternative gout treatments try to relieve discomfort during attacks or lower uric acid levels, possibly preventing attacks. Opinions on how effective alternative remedies for any sickness or condition work are generally divided, as they are with many other treatments. In comparison to established medical therapies for gout, research is frequently limited.

Many people, however, have had success with alternative treatments for a variety of ailments and conditions, including gout. Always consult your doctor before attempting any gout alternative remedies to ensure that the procedures are safe and appropriate for you.

Supplements, botanicals, and foods

The following treatments for gout have shown some promise.

Coffee. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking a moderate amount of coffee each day can reduce the risk of gout.

Antioxidant-rich fruits. Uric acid can be controlled by eating dark-colored fruits including blackberries, blueberries, grapes, raspberries, and, especially, cherries.

Vitamin C. Moderate vitamin C consumption has also been linked to reducing uric acid levels. Large amounts of the vitamin, on the other hand, can boost uric acid levels.

Other supplements. Devil's claw, bromelain, and turmeric are examples of herbal supplements that have been demonstrated to effectively reduce inflammation. Although they haven't been researched especially for gout, they may assist with the swelling and pain that accompany an episode.

Acupuncture

This method, which is a type of traditional Chinese medicine, entails inserting very fine needles into certain body spots. It has been demonstrated to be beneficial in the treatment of a variety of chronic pain conditions. Acupuncture and gout have yet to be studied, although their pain-relieving properties appear to be promising.

Hot and cold compresses

During a gout attack, switching between a hot compress for three minutes and a cold compress for 30 seconds on the affected area can help reduce discomfort and edema.

Gout prevention

A first acute gout episode usually strikes without warning, and there are no other signs or symptoms of elevated uric acid. Gout prevention measures are aimed at preventing or reducing the severity of future attacks.

Medication

By lowering the amount of uric acid in the blood, xanthine oxidase inhibitors and probenecid both help to avoid gout attacks. A doctor may also prescribe an NSAID or colchicine to be taken daily to assist reduce the pain of future bouts.

Dietary changes

Dietary monitoring can also aid in lowering uric acid levels. Your doctor and nutritionist can assist you in developing a customized plan, but here are some of the most typical modifications to consider:

• Increase your intake of water and other nonalcoholic beverages.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption, particularly beer.
• Reduce your meat consumption.
• Limit your consumption of high-purine meats and shellfish.
• Sugary drinks and sodas should be avoided.
• Incorporate more fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains into your diet.

Some forms of gout are classified as gouty arthritis, and as a result, they may benefit from dietary adjustments similar to those recommended for arthritis sufferers, such as avoiding gluten and dairy.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Furthermore, dietary adjustments may be made to lose weight. Obesity is linked to an increased risk of gout. Preventing attacks can be as simple as maintaining a healthy weight through a well-balanced diet and frequent exercise.

Hyperuricemia: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Is hyperuricemia a common occurrence?

Hyperuricemia is a condition in which your blood contains too much uric acid. High uric acid levels can cause a variety of disorders, including gout, a painful form of arthritis. Uric acid levels that are too high are linked to health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and renal disease.

Since 1960, the prevalence of hyperuricemia has risen dramatically. According to the most current significant study on hyperuricemia and gout, 43.3 million Americans have the illness.

Why hyperuricemia occurs

When purines break down in your body, uric acid is generated. Purines are compounds that can be found in a variety of foods. This usually entails:

• red meat
• organ meat
• seafood
• beans

When you urinate, your body normally gets rid of uric acid. When your body produces too much uric acid or is unable to expel enough of it, hyperuricemia develops. It usually occurs because your kidneys aren't able to eliminate the substance rapidly enough.

Uric acid levels in the blood that are too high can cause crystal formation. These can develop everywhere in the body, but they are most common in and around your joints and kidneys. The crystals may be attacked by your body's protective white blood cells, causing inflammation and pain.

Hyperuricemia symptoms

Only approximately a third of those who have hyperuricemia have symptoms. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is the term for this condition.

Although hyperuricemia is not a disease, elevated uric acid levels can lead to a variety of disorders over time.

Gout

Gout, often known as gouty arthritis, affects roughly 20% of patients with hyperuricemia. Gout can also be triggered by a sudden decline in uric acid levels. Gout can manifest itself as sporadic attacks or flare-ups. Chronic gout affects some people, resulting in a series of attacks over a short period.

Gout can affect any joint in your body, but flare-ups in your huge toe are the most common. Gout can affect your feet, ankles, knees, and elbows.

Gout episodes usually strike without warning, and they usually happen at night. In roughly 12 to 14 hours, the attacks reach their peak severity. Gout attacks normally diminish within two weeks, even if left untreated.

Gout can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• severe pain in your joints
• joint stiffness
• difficulty moving affected joints
• redness and swelling
• misshapen joints

Tophaceous gout

If you've had hyperuricemia for a long time, uric acid crystals might form tophi, which are clusters of uric acid. Under your skin, around your joints, and in the curve at the top of your ear, you'll find these hard lumps. Tophi can aggravate joint discomfort and injure your joints or squeeze your nerves over time. They're often apparent to the naked eye and can be embarrassing.

Kidney stones

Stones in the kidneys can be caused by uric acid crystals. The stones are usually tiny and pass through your urine. They can grow too big to pass and obstruct parts of your urinary tract.

Kidney stones can cause the following symptoms:

• pain or aching in your lower back, side, abdomen, or groin
• nausea
• increased urge to urinate
• pain when urinating
• difficulty urinating
• blood in your urine
• foul-smelling urine

You may develop a fever or chills if you also have a kidney infection.

This urine accumulation is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. As a result, when you have kidney stones, urinary tract infections are common.

Hyperuricemia is a condition in which the body produces too much uric acid

Hyperuricemia can affect everyone, although it is more common in males than in women, and your risk increases as you become older. If you're Pacific Islander or African-American, you're also more likely to get it.

Hyperuricemia is linked to several risk factors, including:

• alcohol use
• some medications, particularly medications for heart disease
• lead exposure
• pesticide exposure
• kidney disease
• high blood pressure
• high blood glucose levels
• hypothyroidism
• obesity
• extreme levels of physical activity

How is hyperuricemia detected?

Your doctor may prescribe blood and urine tests to check your creatinine and uric acid levels, which determine kidney function.

A vein in your arm, commonly on the inside of your elbow or on the back of your hand, is used to draw blood. Your body excretes uric acid, which is generally detected in your urine. If your blood uric acid levels are high, your doctor may prescribe a 24-hour urine collection.

After a purine-restricted diet, the urine test is redone, which helps determine whether:

• You're consuming too many purine-rich foods.
• Your body produces far too much uric acid.
• The amount of uric acid excreted by your body is insufficient.

Your doctor will want to test any fluid that has built up in your joints if you have gout symptoms. This is accomplished by drawing fluid from the joint with a tiny needle. It will be sent to a lab for testing to see if there are any uric acid crystals present. Gout is indicated by the presence of these crystals.

Hyperuricemia treatment

The reason for your hyperuricemia will determine how you treat it. Treatment is not indicated if your hyperuricemia is asymptomatic. In this case, there is no evidence that uric acid-reducing medications are beneficial.

If your hyperuricemia is caused by an underlying condition, the underlying issue must be addressed:

Gout

One or more of the following drugs are used to treat gout:

• Gout can be prevented or reduced with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and celecoxib (Celebrex) are among them. Colchicine (Colcrys) is frequently used to prevent or treat gout, especially in people who have trouble tolerating NSAIDs.
• Probenecid is used to help prevent gout attacks by lowering uric acid levels via increasing urine.
• By lowering the amount of uric acid in your system, allopurinol (Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric) can help prevent gout.

Tophaceous gout is treated in the same way as gout. Tophi may need to be surgically removed if they develop so large that they impede joint movement, harm surrounding tissue, or protrude through your skin.

An incision is made in the skin overlaying a tophus, and the tophus is removed during this treatment. Joint replacement surgery may be considered in rare cases of joint injury.

Kidney stones

If your kidney stones are less than 5 millimeters (mm), your doctor may recommend that you drink plenty of water and take over-the-counter pain relievers until they pass.

5 mm or larger kidney stones are less likely to pass on their own. To relax the muscles in your urinary system, some doctors prescribe drugs like tamsulosin (Flomax). This can make passing the stones easier and less painful.

Further procedures may be necessary. Extracorporeal show wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive therapy that uses ultrasonic energy or shock waves to break up kidney stones through your skin. The shock waves shatter the huge stone into tiny fragments that can travel through your urinary system more readily.

If the stones are larger than 10 mm, you may need surgery to remove them.

A 2 mm scope is sent into your urethra to perform ureteroscopic surgery. It passes through your bladder and into your ureters, the tubes that link your kidneys to your bladder.

The stone can then be removed by your surgeon. Stents may be used to assist the flow of urine if the stones must be shattered first. This can help reduce pain and keep the ureters dilated, allowing fractured or dissolving stones to flow more easily.

Hyperuricemia diet

Certain dietary adjustments may aid in lowering uric acid levels in the blood. If your hyperuricemia is linked to gout, changing your diet may help you avoid a gout attack and reduce the progression of any joint damage.

Consult your doctor if you believe changing your diet may be useful. They can assist you in determining whether this is the right option for you.

If you do change your diet, make sure to stick to your doctor's treatment recommendations. Dietary changes should not be utilized as a first-line treatment for any condition.

Keep in mind that your body produces uric acid when purines are broken down. Purine is found naturally, however, it can also be found in some foods. It may be beneficial to avoid certain foods.

❌What to avoid

• red meats
• foods and beverages that are high in sugar, especially if they contain high-fructose corn syrup
• liver, for example, is organ meat.
• beans and lentils
• oatmeal
• wheat germ and bran
• beer and alcoholic beverages
• yeast supplements
• Anchovies, sardines, scallops, and mussels are examples of seafood.
• meat gravies
• fish, such as tuna, cod, herring, and haddock

You should drink extra fluids, especially water, in addition to lowering purines. Drinking plenty of water has been linked to fewer gout attacks. Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of drinks every day is a good rule of thumb. Consult your doctor about how much water you should consume.

In addition, you should exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Your doctor will be able to provide precise recommendations based on your needs.

Summary

Diet and lifestyle adjustments can help lower uric acid levels in the blood if you have asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

If your uric acid levels aren't under control, you could develop:

• chronic gout
• kidney problems
• hypertension
• diabetes
• metabolic syndrome

To avoid the development of major chronic medical issues, you should strictly adhere to your doctor's advice.

Gout Symptoms and Triggers

Gout is a painful arthritic condition caused by a buildup of uric acid in your blood, which is a waste product.

When you pee, uric acid is usually excreted in your urine. When uric acid builds up, it can create sharp crystals in your joints, causing swelling and irritation, especially in your feet.

Here are some common symptoms to watch for, as well as when and where they usually show.

Common symptoms of gout

The most common symptoms are pain and edema. Gout is a well-known ailment, but the way it manifests itself can be quite different. Gout flare-ups are most commonly associated with:

• intense or sharp pain
• swelling
• redness
• skin that is hot to the touch

Gout often starts in the middle of the night and becomes so terrible that it wakes you up.

Bulging or distorted joints are also possible in severe situations. When making a diagnosis, your doctor will be able to view evidence of uric acid crystals in the afflicted joint utilizing an X-ray, ultrasound, or dual-energy CT. It may be necessary to take joint fluid and look for uric acid crystals in immune cells to confirm a gout diagnosis.

Gout flares and triggers

Gout is a chronic ailment, although it does not always manifest itself in the same way. Flare-ups can last anywhere from a few days to many weeks, but you can also go weeks or even years without experiencing a flare-up.

Flare-ups usually affect just one joint, and the big toe is a favorite site for uric acid to gather. Gout pain can also be found in the following places:

• other toe joints
• ankles
• knees

Gout triggers and risk factors

Gout flare-ups and symptoms can be controlled. To begin, it's critical to recognize potential triggers and risk factors, such as:

• obesity
• being assigned male at birth
• heart failure
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• diuretic medications
• alcohol
• sugary foods and drinks
• meals high in purine, such as red meat, organ meats, and some seafood

You can work with your doctor to develop a strategy that helps you avoid triggers and manage any medical illnesses that affect your condition once you've recognized what causes your gout and any risk factors.

Getting rid of gout flare-ups

Gout flare-ups can be avoided by changing your diet to eliminate trigger foods and drinks, losing weight, and incorporating other healthy methods. To assist reduce pain and inflammation during flare-ups, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), steroids, and a prescription anti-inflammatory called colchicine may be used.