Gout is a disorder characterized by high levels of uric acid found in the bloodstream. Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines which is excreted by the body in the form of urine. Too much of it in the body can make you sick.
Uric acids normally dissolve in the blood. If this does not happen, tiny crystals of urate are deposited on joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. This will in turn result to arthritis and can also be deposited into other areas of the body, particularly the joints. Severe cases of gout may even produce hard lumps of uric acid deposited in and around the joints, of which can result to decreased kidney function.
There is a high chance of uric acid forming into crystals when there is hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is characterized by abnormally low uric acid. Aside from high levels of uric acid found in the blood, gout can also occur when serum uric acid is normal.
Gout is normally characterized by swelling, tenderness, sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness particularly in the joints. Usually, the toe is the main target of gout, but as time goes by, it can harm even your feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists and other tissues. Gout is more common in men, although there are a small amount of women who also experience it, particularly after menopause. If you are overweight, has high intake of alcohol and eat too much meat or fish, you have a higher chance of getting gout.
Symptoms of gout include the following:
These symptoms are so painful that even the slightest touch can cause an extreme amount of pain. Any movement may also cause pain because of the deposited crystals inside the affected area. Because it is inflamed, the joint causes the skin to be swollen, tender and sore. If untreated, the pain can last for about five to 10 days.
Certain conditions related the one’s diet and body weight are major factors when it comes to the gout. Being overweight or obese, drinking too much beer, eating high-protein rich foods such as meat and seafood can build up in high levels of uric acid. Some medications may also increase its quantity, among which include, aspirin, diuretics, chemotherapy, and cyclosporine.
More information about how food can help gout sufferers can be found on food medicine