Understanding Gout: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention

26 Oct

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the build-up of crystals inside the joints. This condition leads to severe pain and often begins in the big toe but can affect any joint in the body, including the wrists, ankles, hands, and knees. The crystals form due to high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Gout is sometimes referred to as the ‘the disease of kings’ as it is often associated with an overindulgence of fatty food and alcohol, a luxury afforded only to the wealthiest in society centuries ago. Gout is much more common nowadays as access to this type of diet is more readily available.

Risk factors for gout include:

- Poor diet (excess alcohol, sugar, meat, and seafood)

- Age

- Increase body weight (obesity)

- Male

- Post-menopausal women

- Existing kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Complications of gout include:

- Kidney stones

- Reduced quality of life due to chronic pain

- Joint damage

- Cardiovascular disease

Joints affected by gout can become infected. If this happens, you may feel sick alongside a high fever – this requires prompt treatment. If you have a rapid onset of pain in the joints associated with swelling and redness, you may have gout and you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Top Tips to Stay Healthy

Gout can be treated similar to any joint injury with inflammation, though you may be offered treatment to combat the crystals in the short term such as Colchicine or if you have recurring gout, you may be offered long term treatment to prevent crystal formation such as Allopurinol.

Symptoms of gout can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen and by using icepacks on the affected joint for up to 20 minutes at a time and raising the joint, making sure it is rested similar to a sports injury.

You can prevent gout from recurring by controlling your risk factors, this should include:

- Weight loss if you are currently overweight / obese.

- Controlling your blood pressure by undertaking regular physical activity.

- Limiting the consumption of alcohol, sugar, and meat to healthier levels.

- Keeping well hydrated can reduce the likelihood of kidney stone formation.

Healthy Living Advice

- Arthritis.org has a great article on which foods you should avoid to ensure you are not raising your uric acid level through your diet.

- The UK Gout Society has some great factsheets on diet, hydration and weight loss and how these all relate to improving gout symptoms

- The Alliance for Gout Awareness is an excellent resource to learn more about what gout is and has some top tips for dealing with some of the stigma associated with the condition.