Gouty Arthritis

Gouty Arthritis General Information

Gouty Arthritis is a medical condition described as an accumulation of uric acid crystals that look like needles and it is actually a form of arthritis. We must inform you that more than 5% of the patients suffering from arthritis develop this medical disorder called Gouty Arthritis. Arthritis is a general term that it is used to make reference to more than 70 forms of various rheumatic disorders. From all the rheumatic diseases, this is one of the most painful types, as it causes extreme pain to the person who suffers from it. This particular type of rheumatic diseases is usually detected at only one joint. The most common point is the big toe (more than 50% of the individuals are suffering from this once in their life), although we can talk about other different sites, such as: ankles, elbows, wrists, foot, knees or fingers. This type of arthritis has predilection for the male gender; studies show that this disease affects more men than women all around the world. It is well known that this medical condition has predisposition mainly for the elders, being rarer in young adults or children. It is very important that before proceeding with a treatment, the health care provider differentiate it from other similar condition. For example, this illness is commonly mistaken with CPPD (pseudo-gout) that produces symptoms and signs that resemble to those of Gouty Arthritis. The difference between these two medical conditions is that CPPD deposits crystals made from calcium phosphate and not from uric acid.

Gouty Arthritis Symptoms

Gouty Arthritis has predilection for those people who use to drink important amounts of alcohol and for postmenopausal women, although it is more common for the male gender. The exact cause of this medical condition is not known for sure although it appears mainly because the organism of the affected person overproduces uric acid that can not be properly eliminated by the kidneys. Usually, Gouty Arthritis can be observed in people who also suffer from kidney diseases, sickle cell anemia, diabetes or obesity. It may also develop as secondary effect to the medicines that interfere with the excretion of uric acid. The signs and symptoms of this medical condition appear suddenly and usually affect only one joint, most common, the big toe, although cases of affected ankle or knee joints were often reported. The pain arises during the night and patients describe it as crushing, throbbing and excruciating. The joint that has been affected by Gouty Arthritis can be easily observed because it presents signs of tenderness, warmth and redness. The pain attacks specific for this medical disorder can disappear for a couple of days, but will always return from time to time, more painful as before. Some additional attacks may appear but they usually last for a longer period of time. There are rarer cases in which the patients may have no attacks; they are said to be asymptomatic. If it is not discovered in time or treated properly, this type of arthritis can progress into a chronic stage.

Gouty Arthritis Treatment

When dealing with this form of arthritis it is very important to know when to seek medical guidance. Medical professional have the studies and the experience necessary to guide you and help you getting rid of this annoying illness. Gouty Arthritis is a very serious medical condition that needs a proper treatment applied in time so that the negative effects are minimized. You should call your health care provider as soon as possible if you start having signs and symptoms specific for Gouty Arthritis. An emergent medical consultation must be established in order to determine the exact cause of the patient’s complaints and then proceed with the therapy that best fits with the individual’s health state and demands. After a physical examination by a specialist, you will be asked to do some tests that could differentiate your possible health condition from another similar one. The most common exams that are usually performed in any medical center for detecting this medical condition are: X-rays of the joints (that may show normal data), uric acid blood and urine, blood differential, analysis of the synovial fluid that will reveal the presence of uric acid crystals and biopsy of the synovial fluid. If not treated and detected in time, complications of this condition may develop in some cases. For example, several patients have accused, in an advanced stage of Gouty Arthritis, several adverse reactions to the therapy based on medications. Also, kidney dysfunction, kidney stones and worsening of the medical disorder were reported in a number of cases. But, if the proper treatment is applied correctly and in time, the people suffering from Gouty Arthritis will be allowed to live a normal life as they did before the appearance of the disease. So, we can say that the prognosis (outlook) of this medical condition is good if there is a prompt medical intervention.

Sadly, in several persons, the acute form of arthritis has a rapid progress and although the best therapy is assured, the disease will develop into chronic gout, which is more difficult to treat and has more painful signs and symptoms. Although this type of medical condition can not be directly avoided, you can try avoiding those things that trigger the signs and symptoms. A good advice that we can offer you is to limit the consumption of alcohol (if it is needed) and to change your diet by following one poor in purine. After Gouty Arthritis is detected, the health care provider can proceed with the treatment that he considers that best fits with the patient condition. The inflammation associated with the attacks of acute gout, the swelling and the pain can easily be relieved by prescribing a drug called Colchicine. This medication can not decrease the levels of uric acid from the bloodstream, but will decrease the inflammation caused by the uric acid crystals that appear in the joints areas. Usually, after administrating the drug, the pain will go away within ten to twelve hours and will be completely relieved in just two days.