परिभाषा

Gout happens when uric acid crystals build up in the joints. This causes the joints to be inflamed. If the crystals build up in the kidneys, kidney stones may result.

का कारण बनता है

Gout typically occurs if you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. A high level of uric acid in the blood is identified by the term hyperuricemia. However, you could also have normal uric levels and still have gout.

The liver metabolizes uric acid, and the kidneys get rid of it through the urine. Levels of uric acid build up when:

  • Too much uric acid is produced
  • Not enough uric acid is eliminated

If you have gout and hyperuricemia, your body doesn’t eliminate enough uric acid.

जोखिम कारक

These factors increase your chance of developing gout. All causes of hyperuricemia are risk factors for gout.

जोखिम कारकों में शामिल हैं:

  • Obesity, sudden weight gain, or rapid weight loss
  • Age: over 40 years old
  • लिंग पुरुष
  • Family members with gout
  • Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
  • Certain medications, such as aspirin
  • High-purine diet (uric acid occurs when purines are broken down), for example:
    • Liver and other organ meats
    • Dried beans and peas
    • Anchovies
    • Gravies
  • Diet that includes high-fructose drinks, like sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice
  • Alcohol use, especially binge drinking
  • Certain types of cancer or cancer treatments (such as, cytotoxic drugs)
  • Medications (such as, antiseizure, anti-rejection medications)
  • निर्जलीकरण
  • हाइपरकोलेस्ट्रोलेमिया
  • गुर्दा रोग

लक्षण

लक्षणों में शामिल हैं:

Acute Gouty Arthritis

  • Sudden onset of severe pain in an inflamed joint, usually starting in the big toe
  • Joints that are red, hot, swollen, and very tender
  • Increased pain 24-36 hours after the onset of symptoms

गाउट

Recurrent Gouty Arthritis

Most people with gout have another attack within two years. This attack may affect many different joints. With recurrent gout, tophi can form. Tophi are chalky deposits of uric acid that commonly occur in the elbows and earlobes.

निदान

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. A sample of fluid from the affected joint will be taken. This fluid will be tested for uric acid crystals.

अन्य परीक्षणों में शामिल हो सकते हैं:

  • Blood and urine tests—to measure the level of uric acid in your blood and to assess kidney function
  • X-ray—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones; used to check for joint destruction

उपचार

Treatment depends on whether the gout is acute or recurrent.

Acute Gouty Arthritis

In general, the sooner treatment begins for an acute attack, the more effective it is. Treatment depends on:

  • Onset of symptoms
  • Number of joints affected
  • Previous responses to treatment
  • Overall health

General Measures

Putting a warm pad or an ice pack on the joint may ease the pain. Keeping the weight of clothes or bed covers off the joint can also help.

दवाएं

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example:
    • Indomethacin
    • आइबुप्रोफ़ेन
    • Naproxen
  • Corticosteroids—used if NSAIDs are not effective or not recommended
    • A study found that people given corticosteroid plus acetaminophen had fewer adverse effects than those given NSAID plus acetaminophen.
  • Colchicine—used to prevent gout attacks, but seldom used as a treatment for an acute attack; टिप्पणी: This drug has many adverse effects, so it is rarely used first.

Recurrent Gout

General Measures

  • Consume a low-purine diet.
  • शराब से बचें.
  • If you’re overweight, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can cause a gout attack.
  • Ask your doctor if any of your medications can cause high uric acid levels.
  • Drink a lot of fluids.

दवाएं

If you have recurrent gouty arthritis or an initial attack with hyperuricemia, you may be given medication:

  • To lower the production of uric acid (such as, allopurinol)
  • To increase the excretion of uric acid by the kidneys (such as, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone)

In some cases, low-dose colchicine may also be used to prevent recurrent attacks.

If you are diagnosed with gout, follow your doctor’s instructions.

रोकथाम

To reduce your chance of getting gout:

  • Eat a low-purine diet.
  • Limit how much alcohol you drink. Avoid binge drinking.
  • Drink a lot of fluids.
  • Lose weight gradually.
  • Talk to your doctor about your risk for high blood pressure and heart attacks. These conditions are associated with gout.
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