| GOUTY ARTHRITIS

What You Should Know About Gouty Arthritis

For those of you who do not know, gouty arthritis or gout arthritis is the condition wherein the joints and tendons become inflamed which, in turn, becomes painful and, at times, debilitating. This condition is caused by high concentrations or levels of uric acid in the body. In this instance, the white blood cells (WBCs) are engulfing the uric acid crystals which causes the pain and the inflammation. The outer appearance of the affected areas are marked with redness and inflammation.

Acute gout arthritis is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. All in all, there are about a hundred different types of rheumatism or rheumatic diseases that adversely affects the muscles, joints, tendons, and bones along with the tissues surrounding them, and about five (5) percent of them are some form of arthritis.

Based on studies, gout and arthritis affects approximately 850 people out of a hundred thousand, and those who are afflicted are usually adults. It is a rare occurrence in teens and children. Adult men who are between forty (40) and fifty (50) years of age are those that are most commonly afflicted with gout arthritis, while women develop it usually after menopause. People who have undergone organ transplant procedures are also highly susceptible to it.

The main cause of gouty arthritis excessive levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a substance produced by the breakdown of purines which are naturally parts of the human body and are also found in a lot of foods, like seafood, some vegetables, red meat, and poultry. Uric acid is normally dissolved in the blood and is processed through the kidneys then goes out of the body as waste through urine, but if there is an increase of production or if the kidney is unable to eliminate it through urine, then it leads to the development of gouty arthritis.

To be able to avoid or to lessen the pain of gouty arthritis, one should adhere to a strict gout arthritis diet that can neutralize the uric acid level or, at least, are low in purine. Blueberries, strawberries, grapes, cherries, bananas, celery, kale, green leafy vegetables, and fruits that are rich in Vitamin C. Combine these foods with the habit of drinking lots of water and gouty arthritis will be managed and, eventually, be cured.

Gout arthritis treatment also include NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), Colchicine, and Corticosteroids. To be able to determine which treatment would work best for you if you are suffering from gouty arthritis, you should consult your doctor first.