Understanding Gout and Pseudogout

Gout is a type of arthritis that is typically classified as one of the most painful kinds of arthritis. There are a number of symptoms of gout, many of which are your average arthritis symptoms, like joint inflammation, joint swelling, and joint discomfort.

However, gout is usually only found in a single joint and is so discomforting that individuals often are woken up at night. The joint will often become red and it is common for an individual will goto bed without any symptoms of gout, only to awake swollen and red. In most cases, only one joint will be affected, with the big toe being the most common joint to be affected by gout.

Gout is caused when levels of uric acid begin to rise in the body, which results in uric acid crystals forming around the joints. As the crystals begin to build up, the joint becomes inflamed. Uric acid is created as the body breaks down purines, which are found in many meats, including liver and kidney. Purines occur in many other types of foods as well and are found in low amounts in many vegetables, including spinach and mushrooms. Most meats, especially seafood also contain purines.

Often, gout is caused when a persons diet consists of too many foods high in purines, although it can also be the result of the kidneys inability to adequately break down uric acid. Other risk factors of gout include lead poising, joint injuries, surgery, and excessive alcohol intake.

Another disease that shares many similarities with gout is pseudogout. Pseudogout is caused in a similar many to gout, except that instead of uric acid crystals, calcium pyrophosphate crystals begin forming in the joint. This can be caused by age or a number of other factors, including hypercalcemia. Most often pseudogout will affect the knee, although it is also commonly found in ankles, wrists, and the shoulders.

Both gout and pseudogout have a number of symptoms that are very similar, so it is typically necessary to take a sample of the infected joints fluid and check for high levels of uric acid crystals or calcium pyrophosphate crystals.

Treatment of gout often relies upon losing weight if the individual is overweight, as well as diet modification to avoid foods that are high in purines. Both pseudogout and gout are also treated with Colchicine and anti-inflammation drugs. Colchicine is a medication that is used all over the world and has been used to treat gout for some time, although it is not approved by the FDA.

Anyone can get gout, but men are more at risk than women. It is more common with age, and in females it is more likely to occur after menopause. In men gout is more common among those who are over the age of forty.

Gout can be very serious and extremely painful, so it is important to avoid a diet that is too heavily based on purines.